Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-18
93.3seestf s ggieref#r<.
A We STORY.
BY BELLA DUNBAR

',nIant ,! stars flashing upon them a born.
s"', sitting thus in the dim. COO
'auiy OF that starry eve. Clande ViO
sent Oreathed into Lilian's willing car 81, H.
sto'y OF his love; then, bendino down ~
u.s glossy curls swept her silkep tressas ~ =,
pressed logera kiss.,,.o, ,.r.,,Ir T,rd,s .,
= hlst suddenly exclaimed Lillian :,
loudly. ~ 's''cu ana shook
"A false alarm, dear Lillian said Claude
tho Was Ias, nothing but the wind playing amid
Notiing but the wind? All he saw
~ s tne white face and dark ewes that
Ell sea'hed a moment through the dark vines
aud then was gone. mes
Ia splendid apartment Aida Dnnr,oro
'"P'aly pacing the floor; her rich dross
=! crimson silk is damn with thn Ion, 0s9 20
- ana tearing the gems from her
uo' fuIo"s'' she crushed them beneath her feet
aier long black hair falls in disbeveIled
passes over her shoulders. PassionateIv
sue inuttered to herself:
;s nat care for costly gems or riches
dependent cousin wins from ma ~
oniy man can ever love (? And stamn-
~ n9r ioot angrlly she cries No NO
r.I '"a'. never be, even though | have to
murder her and the words were b;osod
rom between her pale lips
turning, she saw herself reaec,od -
hGi'ge mirror opposite. Could it be poss.
SI Sio such change in so short a timed
one went to the window and opened tho
suu''ers. The soft evening wind cooled
nol acning brow, and the calm sky above
"aS smiling upon her; but she needed i
not lhe murmur of distant voices oa,,o
70 her, waited upon the scented breeze u
T lian. io"'c ot LII
shall be gone a week and tbon !
bride NY PROMISED
y ohe heard the hall door close, and Lii
nan came lightly up the stairs.
Low loveiyshe looked as she entered tho
lIon Even Aida could not help acknowl-
from m a6lid "a ttbheerq the suSljsteasd no diamonds
silk robe. The red roses that looped her |
sleeves, aud the buds that were twined in |
her sunny curls were her only ornaments.
BY her side, upon marble stand, stood
silver goblet, aud taking it up, she drained
the contents. Then, seating herself upon
the sofa, she sat gazing dreamingly at
Aida, who, still seated at the window, pre-
tended not to notice her.
Il will not tell her tonight thought
Lillian. Musing thus, drowsiness came
over her-a heavy languor which weighed
down her eyelids-and she sank back IN
sensible upon the crimson velvet sofa,
A pang Of something like regret shot
through Alda's heart, as she bent over
and bathcd the bue-veined temples.
But why should ] pity her9 has she
not won the love which would have CIV
Gu all | possess for 2 she murmured.
AT last Lillian slowlyunclosed her eyes,
rivieting an unnatural gaze upon Aida
Tier forehead throbbed with burning
fever; she was delrious, and lncoheren'
words fc! from her lips.
All ni0ht Aida watched beside her.-
Morning found Der still there; but lAllla'
was more quiet now and passing ne
hand over her forehead, Aida murinured
All twill bc safe to call physical
now
A physician came; but there was
grave look upon his countenaLce, as II
noticed the burning cheeks OF the pauen
However, he gave q few directions !
Aida. 90,
10 ,nnch for her. he said, gravel
shaking his head, as Aida and her IaLsr
gollowed him from tho room.
Deep anzS AlePicted upon u !
face 81 ~ a5more, as he listened {
uksdS ls5 Ieyed the orphan Lillian as II 81
We're his own, ever since his dying sis'
had cntreated him to be a father to b
And faithfully had he fulfilled his pro
;.c. and Lillian had repaid him all
love and gratitude which was in her gen
II nature. lie had watched with delight
growing intimacy between Lillian
CIaudc, little dreaming OF its effects Ut
Aida.
Three days have past away. The ro
where Lillian lies is dsrkened. 1t Is
crisis Of the fever, and all ia silent IN
stately mansion. Who shall know
burning thoughts that tpassin Alda's mi
No one can road them; no one can
into the secret depths Of her heart
src It's stain Of murder
The crisis is\past, and in the sple
cofir Is laid a h tautiful corpse, ready
horne to the siAnt tomb, for the for
sweet Lillian is nd in the habilimer
,hs grave.
Claude was dei6ncd longer than e
ted and arrived lid pc the Gay after j.
died.
Now will haA zen to my ldllia
said, as he sprang iatly from the CT
But his attention waAarTested by two
tlemen who were cobversiug.
Shall you attend the funeral to
row said one
who u dead 2 said the other.
Why, Lillian Glen, the niece OF
He did not finish There was a
lall on the pavement beside them
Claude Vincent was borne into The l
house, inseusible,