Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-25
ea5's(eef a5' s}feref~re.
a LOVE LOST AND WON.

ana Two glrIs were walking together in A
country lane, near the market town Of A.
lhc letiicss hedges were white with hoar
frost, the ground was covered with the
sparkling rime the great trees spread their
lank, bare branches to the sky, which
looked down on the earth with dull lead
Ell aspect. Everything appeared as if
dead ~ the iron grasp Of winter. Every
thing save the two girls They were all
ilie amid the stiffness all buoyancy glad.
n,csN, youth. 1t was joyous spring with
them.
They were very nearly Of =, height, and
apparently Of equal age. One, trihe the
taller was u graceful, well formed gir with
slender throat, which looked. from the
contrast Of the dark far she wore, doubly
white ana delicate. She had brown eyes,
son, and aImost lauguishing when she was
silent, bat directly She spoke, they lighted
uP aui s?arklcd, and danced like the little
nipples on the lake when the spn Shines
lhc girl had other beauties too. beside
her eyes. She had dark, shining hair,
banded over the open forehead, and bloom
ING checks. She had little, ROSY, pouting
mouth, and in that, and the dim9led chin,
might be detected a considerable proper
non OF grIish petuance, wiruIncss, and
love Of mischief.
The other girl was pale, dropping al
most delicate looking. Even the keen
wlntry air had failed to call glow To her
white checks. There was no brilliant
beauty here to charm the bcholder. Only
there was - depth Of feeling in the soft
eyes tremulous scnsitiycncss about the
whole face, that, though it would never
command admiration, might well win love.
As she walked beside her brilliant aud
blooming companion, few would have
turned from the sparkling, animated beau
W OF the one % admire the quiet sweet
ness Of the other. Aud when they spoke,
there was the same characteristic dissim-
larity in their voices That of the one
WAS clear, distinct, musical, as the chime
OF silver bell the others Vas soft, low,
aud murmurng, with shade of melan-
choIy in its tone, like the music of an Eo-
liam harp.
You are silent, Flora said the pale
girl, looking up into her friends face,
1t is rare thing for You to be silent for
so long together
About five minutes returned the 9th
er, RAISING her head with graceful, buoy
ant gesture, which was peculiar to her,
while Il bright smile reused all the sum-
bcriug pimpIes in her cheek, and the face,
half pensiye in its expression a moment
before, became again Joyous and animated
Only five minutes, am certain, dear
but, to be sure, ! seldom give my little
tongue 50 long holiday
nal you gaI1nu, I,,l- o., ,,r,,o ,I,,oo.
sad, us YOU looked just now ,ntinued
her companion nothing is the matter, is
there?
Flora laughed merriy. Silly little
friend cried she, stopping to kiss her at>
tccuonatrly. Know that there are very
few mIschauces which could befall me
which would have the effect Of making me
look grave. Besides, in case any thine
did gex me, should tell YOU directly, that
You might be sorry for me. 1t would be
almost worth wLiIe having a grief, to have
your sympathy, EseIyu'
Evelyn looked up in her face gracefully
One Of the penalties we lively people
have to pay resumed Flora, is that if b,
any chance NC are serious, or thoughtful
or, in short, behave like rational bejnc
for while, we are instantly Observed; o1
unusual bearing commented on, and W,
are supposed to be suffering under some
deep grief All, fortunate EVELYN no on,
thinks it strange when You look thought
ful, sensible, Or
Sad /! said the other, smiling family. a
Flora ceased speaking, and paused, bal
embarrassed. That is what YOU mean
And you are right; it is not strang
thing for me to look either thoughtful o
sad. My nature is SO different from yours
But tell me- she added, as if glad to spea
OF other things tell me what you wer
thinking Of just now ?
| was thinking Of my long promise
visit to London {!
'Ah! and Of some one you will Sc
there said Evelyn, while the faintest pos
sblc flush rose to her cheek.
Nonsense returned Flora, turnin
away, though not with any dspeasure
one thought is enough at u time, for IN
poor little brains at least
Yes, but when we love- said Evely
gently, our thoughts, like the swans O
sweet Saint Mary's lake, float double
whatever idea occurs to US, the one al
peryadng one is blent with it.
lou talk AS if you had been in love
dozen .mes at least cried Flora, laughin
but | suppose you beings Of scnsti'
ana poetic temperament know intnitive
what people feel under every circumstanc
I'm sure yoa know more about it than
do
Ihere was apause. Had Flora been
acute observer, which she was not, (the
was too much houghtless selfshncss al
egotsm in her character Tor her to be SO
she would have Perceived the strange 10,
that, Tor moment, ovcrspread Everlyl
face. But 1t came, and passed, unuotict
II will be very delightful to 90 10 Lc
don,' resumed Flora, and my aunt is We
gay, and shall have parties and balls
my hearts content. Yes, it will he ve
pleasant; | shall enjoy ell those sort
things very much
Is there nothing else, no other pcasu
YOU look forward to in this visit q ash
Evelyn, with a look Of grave reproach
her eyes.