Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-07-17

" Heaven is the only place of ofhappineSs here
after, and Christ the only fruitful hope OF JOY
there Do not let me lead your into sin by
usurping the place in you affections these
alane should occupy Do not deem me cold
and un(eeling You have aroused tempest
in my bosom to which | am stranger, and
which feel cannot guell.
= dare not encourage that which may not
be congenial to those to whom | owe my f. st
and highest obedience; nor would thought
lessy give expressions to words which in my
heart may not fully comprehend. That [
highly esteem you, you have had abundant
proof, and that | may enter tain feeling
which warmer term would more properly
convey---it may be- But Charles | would
give no delusiye hope; | would not raise
hopes but to destroy them. Therefore, pray
YOU, press me not further, but leave to
the schoolings Of time and my own heart, and
if it be rue to you, Charles, then you Shall
hnd me no deceiveT. Take this locket and
keep 1t till called for by myself; and when |
ask its return, then may you learn that find
1t Impossible to besiow upon you the treas
use Of an undivided and constant heart"
Charles seized the precious gift, and yio-
lenty pressing Kiss upon the hand OF the
fair donor, and then upon the much priced
souvenir, quietly resumed his seat, as the
sounds of approaching footsteps admonished
them Of the return OF their parents.
/ The next morning was beautiful and
bright April day-the birds were illng the
woods with their rich notes, and all nature
! looked cheerful and gay. Charles could not
resist the impulse to go and pay final adieu
to Ella, but arrived just in time to get a part
ing word
Ella, accompanied by her father, took their
departure in their family carriage, amid the
tears Of Mrs. Leroy and all the EousenOld,
with whom Ella was great fayorlie.
Charles stood and g'zed musingly and ab
stractedy down the avenue long after the
carriage had passed out of sight when sud
denly awaking from his reverie, he turned
and walked slowly towards his own home. =
The shady wood did not look half so inviting
ly as before; the birds sang not so sweetly
his heart was heavy-CnarleS Summerhed
was unhappy
Thoughts of his last interview with Ella
rushed into his mnd--how he weighed and
siited every word she uttered-dld they fore
shadow hope or despair? a glance at the
gift whispered some promise. Was his pow
erty a barrier to his acceptance? No, he dis
missed that thought as unworthy of her
Where had she gone, and for what purpose !?
Then the thought occurred to him that intel
lectual wealth was what she had gone IN quest
, OF. Cou,d she aliude TO his interiority, his
unHtnesS for the companion of literary wo-
man? 1t may be- Ii So he determined to
remove that obStacle and We wi leave him
/ for the present TO determine upon the plan to
. effect it.
When last we parted, dear reader, VIC had
just Witnessed the separation OF our two
! youthful lovers, Ella Leroy and CHARLES
! Summerfied-thc former to DE the occupant
Of classic halls where leal ming and science
. andrehnement were to be cultivated ami gain
cd by her, the latter left in his lonely retire
, ment, to roam the wild forests and indulge
in dreamy hopes of distant day Of meeting
= again with the idol OIL his heart. But Charles
was unhappy-hs former li5htful sports
,f atfoi ded him no pleasure noS-his mind was
Z wholly occupied upon the absent loved one
. and the cause of her temporary removal flon
! the pate, nal mansion. And the thought
- would rush upon him-When Ella shall re-
r tprn, the cultivated, gifted, beautiful one
o. wll she not look with pity, and reject hel
humble rustic mountain sAain?
Such suggestions br coded upon the mine
nr OF Charles Summeriield, and many days hat
Iy not elaSped ere his course was resolved upon
= He, too, would turn his thoughts to The cul
: tivation OF his mind and seek to reap the Iici
nr harvest IF literature and learning.
10 Having disclosed his purpose TO lis parent
ie and gained their reluctant consent to his de
Id parturc, we see him leave, without script 0
r. purse to seek means TO obtain lis high am
- bition.
!. Five years have elapsed, and Ella Leroy
er the gifted, tattered, beautiful woman and a
heircsa During their long separation, d fe
H. ,l
t6 herself and Charles, bat the same indeinit
tn position existed between them as on the ev
wv ming when he offered her his whole heart
# Her return to the beautcous scenery Of h.
,w mountain home was announced, and he reso
II we'd upon u speedy islt to the loved place
ror his boyh0od sports and manly dreams.
of 1t was in the gorgeous summer time, whC
IN all nature was rIvalling itSelfi the grandel
n of the scenery around and beneath the mou
20 tain tops. Ella and CuaIles have met, al
eu each have felt that time and absence hav
CO. changed the warm, artlesS heast of childhoo
in. into the less feeling, prudent department
ripper years. Along the howery lawns th(
,as have strolled, he discoursing eloquently
Inv the beauties of nature, and ever and ant
~ reverting TO Their youthful sports as tn
on would pass some iavoritespot where they HI
,tb sat and weayed the gay garland of rosy hoi
ar anu where lie nau ClOWHGu nef lnOuSal
times with woodland flowers, as the queen
or his affections. But all seemed nct suticie
IN to melt the icy coIdnesS tnat clung as sn il
III berg around the conduct Of Ella Lekoy.
IA In vain did Charles implore for one HI
in word-oue token of reg ,rd. No sympathl
.nd ing word was hers-not even an excuse
C,r her strange conduct could be wrunS frC
,rd her All was dark, impenetrablc-a myste
he could not solve. Chagrin and mortiticau
tnt were last taking hold upon hun; perhaps
..s- was being made the sport of an unieell
, or woman fashion and the heartless insidlou
IA ness of the gay circle in which she had win
,rJ ed for a few brief months in the city ot Ch
l., leston, added to the afftctations learned at
n fashionable boarding school, seemed to ha
olv Fdestroyed all that freshness and fran!4ness
mt nj. he4rt that had once captivated his youth
admiration.
tho Resolved to unravel the heart-perplexi
.;nn mystery, Charles Sumuerheld deterlniI
,;.d upon an interview tue coming day and {
,;S;t mand an explanation and ayowal of
,ove true sentiments towards him. EARLY M
into morning found him at the stately mans
and of Mr.. LIE Roy, wnere he was iptrodu
iii to Augustine Pinckney, young bio,
40 from Charleston, one the "F. F.'s of t
IN IN atistocratic city The conduct of Ella
tho even more reserved and strange now, as
one ming sometimes an indifference that alu
,n;le amoun'e ed to repugnance. 1t Is true
49, Charles Summerteld was now the edit
~, ted gentleman, whose mind had fathoI
IT the Iabarynths of literature and S Iel