Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-10-30
sAett @tferetHre.
WILLIE's LOVE.
BY NARY F0RNAH.

"Why don't you marry 2 said Mrs. Har-
court to her brother in law, after hearing pa
tiently long string of complaints traceabls
to his bachelor condition. She was leaning |
back indoenNy in her chair and started at |
the bitter scorn in her companions looks and |
tone as he answered her.
"Marryi are you mocking me, Hannah |
Who would marry me?"
He rose as he spoke, and the movement
gave fearful emphasis to his words His
face, divested of its scornfll look was beau
tiful, not handsome in the poetical idea of
manly beauty, bat lovely as a woman's.-
Clustering curls of light hair fell over high
white forehead, and large blue eyes, full of
intelligence, we're shaded by long, thick lash
ees, darker than the curling haiC The fea-
tures were chiselled like those of Greek
statue, the straight nose, fall lips and deli
cate chin were almost cbildIike in their soft
outlines but glsucing from the face to the
figure, you understood the cause of the bit
ter question be asked. From the effects of
fall when quite young, the spine was in
.lured, and the figure Nature had intended to
be slight and graceful, was twisted and de-
formed most feaIfully; one knee, toe, was in
.jured by the same fall, and his gait was slow
and hating. Yet, spite Of his deformity,
Dr. Harcourt was in full practice as physi-
,cian, and universally beloved His patients
declared that his small white hand brought
healing in its touch; his brother physicians
spoke highly of his knowledge and skill,
and little suffering children stretched out
their arms to be 4aken into his, hushing
their cries when his soft musical voice met
their ears, or his gentle, ptying face bent
over them. .-.
For moment Mrs HarcouVt was silent,
then she stretched forth her hand. saying:
Il did not mean to pain you, Willie; l love
you so dearly, and see you so universally be-
loved, that spoke only as felt Willie,
dear, you are too sensitive. With such
heart and mind as you can offer, any woman
might be proud to cali you husband
The soft melancholy that was habitual to
the Doctors face, crept over it as his sister
spoke, but be shook his head sadly as she
ceased.
No woman shall have her life embittered
by the careof such poor cripple as l am,
Hannah. can bear my sorrows alone. One
O'Clock. Where can Harry beS
Here said Mr., Harcourt, entering the
room at that instant, You should not have
waited for me, Hannah And he tossed
down heavy valise, and proceeded to take
off his oveCcoat The cars were detained by
the snow storm
Come and eat your supper said his wife,
after embracing him warmly. Il sat up to
see that you had it hot and NICE Come Will
lie, you will join us?'
Not to night. Good night And the
Doctor went slowly out of the parlor.
At the foot of the stairs his brother joined
him. One could scarcely imagine stronger
contrast than the brothers. Willie, stunted
thin, pale and deformed Harry, tall broad
shouldered hearty, and strong. Gently as
woman, Harry said You forget that have
come home, Willie 7 And he lifted his broth
sr's slight form in his strong arms, and car
ried him up the stairway. 1t WAS the ok
custom in the house, for the many stairs th
doctor had to mount in his professional du-
ties tired him sadly, and made this last one .
night positively painful Willie was accus-
toned to this carriage to his bedroom, ys
that night, after he received his brother
good night kiss, he fastened his door, and
bowling his head on his hands, he sobbed as
man sobs only in his EXTREMIST agony
Bitter thoughts were usurping the place c
his usual, patient resignation, and murmur
that of the prayer he was wont to use at tina
hour His sister-in-aw'S words had unsea
ed fountain of bitterness in his heart whic
he had tried in vain to close. His thought
ran something after this fashion: Marry :
How could | ever dream of love with thi
crippled form, these trembling limbs an
poor, pale face! But do love love with .
the bitter agony of despair She is so brigh
so full of life and have even thought sh
returned--fool fool that took pity tor low
Pity it is only pity that makes her voic
low and her eyes dim for me; it is pity tn,
checks her dancing step and merry laug
for me She pities me, and II love he
love her with ali the wealth of mans who
heart, touched for the first time
Two o'clock, three, four struck, and ST
the passing hours found the Doctor in tt
same attitude, crouched down in his lars
chair, his face buried in his hands, commit
ming with his own heart. Morning S dar
still found him in the chair, but the fai
light fell upon his upturned face, closed eye