Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-12-19


the house. She seated herself upon rustic
bench. and was soon in a deep reflection;
but not lone did she remain thus, for sud-
denly the soft notes of guitar fell upon her
ear. and looking up she beheld young gen.
tleman reclining against the messy trunk of
one Cf the old trees, but SO much engaged
with the instrument of music which he held
in his hand, as to be entirely unconscious of
her presence.
Edith listened as one entranced. Never
before, she thought, had she: neard such q
sweet inspiring strains, accompanied by so
rich and melodious voice. At length he
ceased, ana springing to his feet saw Edith.
| With bow, he apologized for his intrusion,
saving that he vas not aware that there
was any person within hearing, or he should
| perhaps have reserved his music for more
| fitting ho1r.
His easy careless address, pleased E.iith,
and thanking him for the pleasure she had
| derived. she arose from the seat and was
about retiring " hen he, stepping forward,
informed her that bis home lay in the same
direction and that with her permission he
would accompany her as far as the house of
Mrs ST. Claie
He told her his name was Henry Alton,
and that his home was but a short distance
from the grere where they had so unexpect-
edly met and Hoped, as she was going to
pass the remaining summer months with
Mrs ST. Clare their acquaintance might be
perretuated, &c. They had now reached the
gate, and bidding her kind goodnight,
he took his way towards his own home
What his reflections were We will not pretend
to surnise, but leave for time to determine.
He was evidently much interested in the fair
Young girl he had met-but Edith, gay, nap
DIV Edith. entering the house. she irnmedi-
ately sought Mrs ST. Clare, and faithfully
relating to her all that had occurred, descan-
ted upon the fine appearance of the youthful
STRANGER with all the enthusiastic ardor of
lovely girl Of sixteen, and won lered she had
not met him before.
| Time few by Henry and Edith became
daily more and more intimate until at length
they were almost inseparable companions;
he accompanied her upon her excursions on
. the lake; if she wandered in the fields in
search of fruits and flowers he was ever at
her side-:nd indeed he was companion
much to be desired, for his mind was well
. stored with Information, pleasing and valu
able. and his manpers were at all times so
gentle and unassuming that ere Edith had
one thought of love, he had entirely won her
childish heart. But the warm summer
S months were fist passing away, and the time
It was near at hand when she would have to
Il bid adieu to all the haunts that became to
/ her so dear, and she must also bid her be-
e loved Henry a long farewell; perhaps she
:. would never meet him again. She must leave
II the kind friends with whom she has passed
q so many hours, and from whose lips she had
listened 10 50 many lessons of wisdom. Yes,
5. she must leave them all and again be i'm
/ INJURED in the heart of the great city, where
y she could never see the grass and flowers, or
e. listen to the light carol of the forest birds.
ie The evening preceding her departure came.
At With heavy heart she slowly walked toward
lie the grove where she had first met Henry
se Alton Oh, how different were her feelings
o. the trees, now, as the soft autumna
K, breezes sighed through their swayiug
ut branches, seemed to say farewell everything
q, reminded her of the happy hours she hac
ii spent in the society of one her heart held
J. dear, and throwing herself upon the mossy
e1 seat, she gave way to the grief with which
st her heart was well nigh bursting.
'Why do you weep Edith?' said rich,
a. manly voice beside her-and looking up, sh
ne beheld Henry-his dark eyes were bent up
40 on her in deep sympathy "Can it be tina
ng you weep at the thought of leaving the lone
e, illness of the country for the gay and fash
na ionable circles of city life? Brush away
"a, those tears, l entreat thee, for it pains m,
eo heart to see the sad
re- % Henry' said the gentle girl, as sh
raised her soft, sad eyes, how can ever re
. turn again to life in the noisy, bustling city
a. after passing so many happy hours in thi
he quiet, secluded home Oh you know nc
10, the grief feel in leaving ali these dea
a. scenes, and dropping her head upon his be
lat com she wept sfresh.
nj Tell me, Edith said Henry as he passe
h tno faip hat l<a.. no
II: ed against him, ''is there no other reason fo
res your tears tnan the thought of leaving th
Ids home of your kind friend and these wood
ng and fields. Does not your heart throb pair
AT fully at the thought of leaving one who ha
m loved you from the moment his eyes frs
. rested upon your lovely countenance? 'Ot
'he Edith, dare for one moment hope that tn
OF love have cherisheG-secletly cherished
lat can meet with return in that guileles hear
nts what Joy, what bliss would be mine
she Dear Henry y said the lovely girl, raisin
rm her fearful eyes again to his, 1 feel that tn
len is not moment for dissimulaton-I do Low
No. you devotedly, and the thought of leavin
ms you fills my heart with sorrow
Thus passed the moments, each in tur
speaking of the love they had cherishe'
IN and pledging VOWS of mutual constancy.-
to Henry promised to visit her at her distar
uOuie Out IL WAS SiO"lbS AdeC 11dlt
her must return to the house and be ready earl
in the morning to commence her tedior
OF journey.
oi One long, lingering kiss, the first he ha
ao- ever pressed upon her sweet lips, the la
the farewell spoken, and they parted
s'h We viii nov pass over an interval of eig
ey, years, and we again see Edith occupying Il
vas yineclad cot of which we spoke at the cor
lhe commencement Of our story.
4o5 But why those tears that silently gath
~ ~ in her large sad eyes, and the eager CLAN
Ise so often directed toward the little gate tn
,ds opens upon the public highway
,ees Edith had married the object of her choi
IRE and her nuptials were sanctioned by the a
are proyal of her kind parents and Mrs.
ind Clare. They located where We now S
na- them, but little distance from the S..
cad where they had first met and where the
she VOWS Of love were plighted-six years
their welded life have passed away, tS
her sweet pledges of their love have been Civ
,ere "a darling, bright-eyed boy, and sweet
the fant daughter. The cares of housekeepi
St have not destroyed the loyeliness of Editt
sive disposition, nor fretted her out of Ler go
t;f,l looks-zthe soft anxietes of mother son
of times cloud her brow, yet fo- several yea
one life passed happily, and never had she cat
;phi to complain, for Henry, proud of his love
,nlv bride, never left wish ungratified or fail
,sat to fulfill her most extravagant desire.
49,. p.,+ obo,ro y.c fack eopine ovor I,