The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-06-04

seeing, and enjoyed everything worth ENJOY
ing" were the words that a. length found
utterance. !" II will take long time to do
that" she added, in lighter tone, "and /
think shall be willing 10 die when all that
makes life desirable is gone."
Mr.. Torey and his niece were sitting to-
gether when the twilight shadows deepened.
This is an hour dear to the contemplative
heart the hour for sad regrets, new resolves,
quiet communings with the past, and unseen
auestionings Of the future. Mr.. Torrey's
thoughts went backward. travelling again the
vista Of by-gone years, and in the changing
freight that alternately cleaned and flick
cred on the wall, he saw type OF life with
its varying gloom and brightness. Josephine,
in the mean time, wholly occupied by
prospective party, was engaged in consider
ing what style of dress would be most in har-
mony with her figure and complexion Each
color Of the rainbow was summoned for sepa-
rate review curls and braids, ribbons, feath-
ers, and flowers, were in turn the subject OF
mental delberation, the busy mind quite
forgetting its higher destiny as creature Of
Immortality.
Josephine" said MIR. Torrey. suddenly
interrupiing this train of thought, "have
you heard your mother speak Of her early
friend, Grace Hamilton :"
:" have no recollection of the name,n was
the response. "Who was she, uneles"
a very lovely girl whom knew when
was younger than | am now" he resumed.
/" One of the few who possess beauty of fea-
lures and symmetry Of form combined with
manners at once winning, dignified, and un-
affected. Add to these attractions warm,
loving, sympathizing heart, and rare intel.
leciual endowments, and you have some faint
conception of Grace Hamilton in her dawn
ing womanhood. As you may imagine. such
sweet blossom did not blush unseen or un-
sought At one time it was reported that
she was plighted to Frank Lindsey, son Of
the enyied millionaire ard again Gerald
Spencer, less wealthy than the former. but
belonging to more aristocratic family, was
said TO have won the prize. Both these ru
mors proved incorrect, as she married one
who possessed no advantages Of wealth or
position; a highly cultivated intellect, and
a heart strong in the love and practice of the
right, being his only treasures.
/" often saw Grace and her husband alter
their marriage, and when ! marked their
perfect union Of thought, interest. and afec-
lion, | fancied that the bliss once known in
the siness bowers Of Eden had returned
again to gladden. our darkened world. Their
parlor was always tastefully arranged, Grace
invariably had a cheerful face, and the for
merly reserved Edward became social and
hospitable. as if wishing to shed around him
portion Of the sunlight that glowed in his
own heart.
"'I am afraid we are too happy said
Grace. as was spending an evening by their
lirtside, according to my frequent custom.
have been making calls all the afternoon,
she continued, and instead Of enyying Mrs.
Iindley's new house, or Mrs. Spencer's OBJ.
sequious servants, | returned thanking God
for nv quiet life. My own home seems a
peaceful ark Of refuge
1.-THE lines are fallen to US in pleasant
places, yea, we have goodly heritage, re.
sponded her husband and when Grace led
her little boy toward him for a good night
kiss, he folded mother and child to his heart
in a loving embrace. She deserves to be
happy he said, when Grace had gone up
stairs with the little one; | believe she is
the best wife in the world. thought low
ed her. he continued, with deep feeling,
when we were married. but there are no
words in the language strong enough to ex-
press my devotion to her now. Our hearts
have grown together with the lapse Of years,
twining around and into each other. until
they have become indissolubly one. Some
times inquire what would become Of either
if the other part we're rent away; and as he
spoke thus. though he was habitually man
Of self-control, tears filled his eyes, and a
tremor shook his frame.
"This conversation with its attendant
circumstances is impressed upon my mind
by the sad events that soon followed. A
few days subsequent, was startled by the
intelligence that Edward was dying, or, il
might be, already dead. | hurried to the
home where had been often greeted BY his
tones Of welcome, only 10 look upon his life.
less form, from which the spirit had passed
with scarcely moments warning. He lay
on the bed, pale, silent, motionless; the
smile that still fingered around bis lips being
the only thing which looked like life. Thank
God, death could not take away that smile,