Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-08-04
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DOING AS WE'D BE DONE By.
lAsKETCH FOUNDED ON FACT.
CHAPTER VII.-[coNoLuDED.l


Ma, why don't we spend orr Christ
mas in the couDtryP said the duke, hpe
clear morning in early December. Ono |
has such finer frolics there than in town,
slcighing and snow-balling in particular,
and all the amusements of the seasoboin
general -
Yes, ma, seconded Miss Vigtoriag 10.
I'm sure twill be 50 g,y and DELIGHT
full
No doubt muttered the father, coughs,
colds, rheumatisms and doctors bills are
very delightful, eh!
!" A fig for all disagreeables y cried Well.
Engton = Pm determined to have some
fun ont there, let who will stay behind
How you'll all envy me my bachelor's.hal
jolliication.'
We shall go, ma, shan't me q queried
Miss Victoria.
The lady was very indulgent mother :;
so after few struggles with prudence, shc
yielded and answered yes. The Lecessary
preparations were made accordingly, and
the week preceding Christmas found
them transiently domcsticated at the Villa,
as Mrs. Porter Potts had aristocratically
called their country-seat. 1t was noble
place, and within convenient distance
from the town SO invitations were issued
for party, at which they expected to sec
all their Richmond friends. But the.
best laid schemes of mice and men gang
AFT agley,' and they were doomed to be
disappointed for the skies that had all
along worn their blandest smiles, sudden
y changed their aspect, and on the even
ing 10 4nestiop there was such tempest
Of saew and hail as wonld have preclnded
theNidea of any ones taking -.
pleasure. Morton, who bad come out
during the day, was their only guest hes
arsaaneo, haszAnans ksas
compensated for all Others absence, though
we cannot say the same for her mother,
who, poor lady, while she beheld the waste
of luscious delcacies, was seized with an
agony of remorse for having been 50 fool
ish as to leave town at such season. The
Young lawyer seemed unusually taciturn,
and Miss Victoria exerted all her powers
ofpleasantry to arouse him. She tried
all her Schotisches,' and her fair ringlets
danced the Polka over the piano keys II
manner that might have excited the jeal
ousy of Elssler but there sat Morton, at
ter all her efforts, stolid and silent as
bronzed statue. She was going to remari
on his abstraction, when a loud knocking
at the door startled her almost int
spasms,' as she declared.
Mr.. Potts himself answered the summon
and on opening the door, encountered
gale of wind and snow, that swept hi
back several PAGES.
sPhew this is severe weather, he grun
bled, Tallying again.
YES said deep sonorous voice, { it
very inclement. Would you afford n
shelter for the night. sir !!
Mr.. Potts had never felt more dispose
TO pronounce a negative, but his better fee
ings would not allow him to turn hums
being away to perish; so he said rath
rruffiy Come in, as he scanned what
Thought very suspicious figure.
The unbidden guest entered the dra
ing.room quite unceremoniously, and bo
ing slightly, drew chair to the sto'
pulled off his heavy gloves, and rubbi
his hands together vigorously, seemed r
solved to make himself as much at hol
as possible. His appearance was caIculat
to excite attention. His form was abe
the ordinary height, and very athletic
coat whose last days were evidently
their best hung loosely to his figure a
scare crcw to a post, and pair of pond
ous boots encased his neither extremlt
A red .silk handkerchief was tied over
hat, ,isad rasffled his features from vi
but when this was removed, a start of
prise ensued from Morton, followed /
repelling glance from the stranger. y
had noticed the recognition, and after p
. ingthe 'Rogue's March, Miss Victoria
served confdentially to Morton
What an object If he is not ht
murders, stratagems and spoils,' Lava
philosophy of the physiognomy ,goc:
nothing. What huge, overhanging
brows, and such ferocious eyes ]
make me shuGder; l wish pa had not
en- to be SO hospitsble. shall not
my lids while he is beneath the roof
Her companion smiled as he
'There have been instances where al
came in disguise, and we're enterts
unawares-perhaps this is to be on
them
A sarcastic reply was interrupted b
\ " appearance of Emma, who had obs
\ the stranger from the next room wher
lad been sewing, and with modest