Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-01-08
The Lovers Stratagem-How q Secret
was Revealed.

The Lovers Stratagem-How q Secret
was Revealed.
Ralph Somfnerville spent some munths
at our house. He was a noble-bearted
generous fellow, aud | soon found ont that
| took more than a passing interest in
him. Though generous, as I have said.
his disposition bordercd upon sternness.-I
There was something silent and mysterious
about him-not r~epellant, to be sure. but
seeming to bespeak a love of solitude. q
quiet communion with bis own thoughts.
| was a wild romping girl, aud perhaps it
was the contrast of disposition which drew
me toward him with a warmer maonet,sm
lie was certainly not handsome, neither
particularly, well formed: and vet in the
nre that sometimes kindled in those pray
eyes, or the soft smile that wreathed his
lips, there was much beauty to me. The
tone OF his voice were clear and distinct
and MS earnest words, before we were ar
1ualnted, caused the same singular emo
ions experienced when | first stood by
the sounding sea"-or earlier still. when
Tue mellow notes of a church organ first
SUM into my soul. 1t seemed strange that
ne could bind with the spell of attention
a nature so volatile as my own, but he did.
l loved him devotedly-I must confess
tt sooner or later in this waif anvbow-
ana that he returned this devotion T had
every reason to believe. A little thing &C.
CURED. however, which was near maxine
US go opposite through life, like ships that
part at sea.
Coming into the study one morning. 7
fonnd an unfinished letter lying on the
desk. Ralph was out, ana curiosity. the
failing of our sex, led me to glance over it.
Part OF it was in reference to myself; this
discovery made me more than glance over
IT. 1t was a letter to his sister; the fol-
lowing clause stirred up all the opposition
and willfulness my nature was capable OF.
Il am now certain Mabel loves me and
yet SO perverse is she that were | soberly
to ask her to become mine, | no doubt
would meet with a peremptory refusal. If
| let her alone she will tell me herself she
loves me before very long"
felt my cheeks tingIe, and I believe
that | bit my lips with vcxation.
DO you think SO, Ralph! | cried
We shall see.'
In a minute afterwards | was down in
the parlor improv;sating at the piano in .
manner which, under other circumstances.
might have made my fortune.
Well, two weeks more passed by. Ibid
not avoid Ralph's society. yet in various
other ways evinced an extreme indifference
to it. A shade of anxiety aud thoughtful
ness began to settle upon his face.
One morning Ralph took the railroad for
Birmingham. A collision occurred, and A
number of persons were killed and wonn
ded. The news made my heart lutter like
a frightened bird. The most painful So
licltude was awakened in regard to Ralph.
In the evening of the same day | heard
voices in the porch, among which I dis
tlnguished my u%ncle's. | heard him saw
"How had we best break it to her ?"
My heart seemed to turn into ice at
these words; my brain reeled, and | caught
at the table for support. What dark fore,
bodings were creeping into my soul? I
rushed out upon the porch.
"4ou may break it as abruptly as Won
please, uncle. Ralph is dead Oh. nv
best beloved, that | should see this hour ~
felt very faint then, and the tears
streamed down my cheeks.
whose arms were those around me p
What low, sweet voice spoke such earnest
words of love? What lips pressed such
warm kisses to mine?
Why, Ralph! He had not been hurt at
all, n lad been commissioned to BRING
such bad news to another. How provo
king it was! Well, that is the way
came to say it! but | don't care, now
haiph IS worth a dozen Of your common
husbands.