Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-03-17
From the Southern Monthly.
THE HAUNTED HOUSE.
by THE AUTHOR OF cups AND DOWNS

vile, AS she sat In a sowersof natures own
creation, weaving visions dT bliss for her
self and all she loved, in which no portion
Of the real ills of life were allowed TO mix. |
The parents of Rose were formerlv among |
the aristocrats of the land, and she, their |
only child, was born whcn.they were sur
rounded by luxury, and All her first i'm
pressions were of magnifiaenee and beau
ty; but reverses to whish ali are liable, |
thickened around, aud With SENSATIONS,
amounting to agony, Mr., Melville resigned
his ancient patrimonial in seritance and re-
tired, with his wife and daughter, then
about ten years of age, to 3little cottage on
| the banks of the -. Mr and Mrs.
Melville could support adrersity for them
selves, but they had not attained that per
feet faith and trust to enable them to bear
it calmly for their child; and although
patiently submitting to Privation in their
own persons, they sedulodsly guarded this
treasured Que from the least shadow Of suf-
Fferng.
Both Mr.. and Mrs. Melville were highly
gifted and accomplished, and now that
they could not command ether advaata-
ges for Rose, both parents devoted them
selves to Improving her mind and cultiva-
ting her alents. Rose rvhly repaid this
CAFE, and at the age Of seventeen, few pos
sessed more intellectual requirements and
external graces Of Rose Melville, with a
heart and mind, too, to appreciate all that
was excellent and good ; but, unfortunate,
~ for herself, possessing also morbid SEN
sbiIity which i'll fitted her to bear the rude
trials of life
With all these attra ctions, even without
the all-powerful one of wealth, Rose could
not be UNDECIDED, unadmired but as vet
her heart appeared impervious and al
though numberless suitors bowed at her
shrine, all were dismissed with firm sweet
pess which, while it increased admiration
effectually silenced farther solicitation
with one exception.
George Hampden was the son of -four
ishing lawyer 10 the village where Mr.
Melville had selected bis residence, anc
when soliciting the hans Of the lovely cir
11ss tsggehall, te'fag ag i be was confer
ring an honor on one larsbeneath him anc
when his aspirations became yet more ex-
alted, and after long deliberation on tn
degradation to which he was descending
he pompoasly offered to confer his ow
hand for yet longer period, and the hon
or was politely but firmly declined, the as
tonishment of the young man knew n
bounds
, Surely, Miss MelviHe ou must hay
mistaken my meaning. Ioffered you N
heart and hand, solicited you to becom
my wife,
I SO understand yoasir,' replied tn
bTushing girl, and / decIiae the honor 20
proAer.' r.
May inquire what's your objectio
:. to me! Do you love ahother? My po
siton is, presume, sufficiently high to ell
, title rue to such an alisece. NV proper
4 ty--
Rose interrupted hin with a dignit
: which, for moment, ared the presumI
$ tuous young man Mr. Hampden, shs
s not marry for wealth or station. l mu
t love the man to whom E plight my fait
: and-1 cannot, sir, love you.
George Hampden's eyes glared with f
: ry as he turned and left her, and Ro
hoped she was freed from his importun
: ties but each dag convinced her Of tt
r futility of such hope He followed b
with pertlnacity which left her no peac
and although unwilling to speak of snch
Y matter even to her parents, Rose, at la
}. felt compelled to resort to her father to fr
y her from the assiduities of her arroga
Q lover. 1t is few hours after Mr.. Me
vilIe's interview with young Hsmpde
Il that we find Rose seated in her favori
: srbor, to which we frstiplroduced our re
e dcrs.
a In dreamy kind Of happiness, in whi
our heroine was wont to indulge, Rose $
until the twilight was depending aroun
when, startled by rustling of the shrul
t berry, she raised her ewes and behe
a George Hampden standing before her.
e His countenance ever wore dark and 81
% ister expression, but now it looked almc
} delnonlsc; his eyes glared with fear
10 malgnHy, which sent cold shiyer throu
n the heart of the trembling girl, and
voice sounded hollow and unnatural, as
,r said :
: Rose Melville, once more ask you
d, become my wife
d Mr. Hampden, she replied, endeavt
at ing to assume calmnoss she was far fse
: teeling, it is ungenerous and unmanly
n. you thus to persecute me; | have alrea
,e told you that L cannot iove you, and
of hoped You would cease ftem importnnit
U, which only distress and annoy me-
Is Beware, rash girl yon know not |
atare You provoke he furiously cri