Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-12-01

oOoouio vi INC. 1ut, AitcC, uuSdJ GuOSe
words. Your image is blended with all
my golden dreams of the future. Why
look SO gloomily at my prospects, It's
true" said he sadly, booking at his woun-
ded mb, -" can never raise this arm
again; but is not one arm, strengthened
with a firm reliance on that God who
hears the young ravens when they cry,
sufficient to screen you from the cold blasts
and uncertain storms OF this worlds Think,
Alice. before you consgs to despair one
who loves you with so passionate devo
ton. Let the talisrnan, Love, act as al
charm against those dark dreams you will
conjure up. Let US, hand in hand, tread
| life's pathway, loving and beloved. You
will be my inspirer, my good genius. l
will be your shield and protector"
What girl who loves can resist such
pleading and Alice placed her hand in
his as she replied:
Willard, you have chosen, God grant
You may never have cause to regret the
decision of this hour | have laid before
you freedom and slavery. You have cho-
sen the latter. You think me cold and
unromantic. | confess to the latter, for |
was ever painfully alive to the stern real.
tiles of life. However, wen your bright
hopes meet with glad fruition, when
your golden dreams are realized, I am
yours" .
Willard looked up to meet the earnest,
determined gaze of bis betrothed, and saw
it was useless to demonstrate SWELL,
good bye Alice, y said he, rising, " hope
when | come again you will be in more
cheerful humor," and STOPPING he kissed
her pure white forehead, bounded over the
stone wall, and left her to dream away the
soft hour of the deepening twilight sa-
Shall describe her! All! Alice Lin
ton is gifted with rare beauty. Her large
brown eyes which wear dreamy look are
doubly beautiful when lit with the warm
sunshine of love, or sparkling with uncon-
trolable mirth. Lips which seem formed
onl y to breathe holy and beautiful thoughts
seem to have stolen from the coral its ru-
by hue. And ever apd anon a bright glow
and you wonder which is the more beauti
full, that or the delicate rosy tint it leaves
behind Heavy braids Of midnight hail
add gentle dignity to her otherwise child
ish contour.
But not more lovely is this casket, thar
is the Jewel within. She is the only chilC
of widowed mother, and beauty and In
telectual worth are her only endowments
Suitors she had, many; but from them al
she turned coldly away, until Willard
poured his tale of love into her too willing
ear. And indeed he was we'll calculated t
awaken all the love of such nature a
hers. Young, handsome, talented, bis on
ly fault was his lack of this worlds good:
And his talents were not such as to wi
fortune, for he was poet, and although b
could by stroke Of his pen cause tn
/ heart of Alice to throb with emotion, b
was doomed, as all poets are, to life {
, toll. But she loved him, and for tim
: she gave herself up to the full enjoymer
5 of slowing and being beloved"
, But, alas for human felicity! Whe
, our country's rights were threatened, b
' was the first to offer life and fortune in h'
f defence. Alice, inspired with woman
s patriotism, yet trembling with apprehen
] sion, had bid him 60. ] will not descrit
n their parting. Its semblance is too vivid
remembered by every woman in our Ian
r Weeks, months passed wearily by, and
# returned, his left arm hanging useless
IS his side.
n Poor Alice! to crown her troubles, 81
had an offer from Judge Lawson, rit
d bachelor, who, to do him justice, was W.
worthy of her affection. Her friends b,
urged in vain for his acceptance. B
now her mother, whose heart was set
seeing her darling enjoy the luxuries th
wealth alone can afford, interfered her a
, thority, and bid her forget him. Bra
~ girl not to tell her lover of the con
:. maud, and thi exonerate herself; a
. tears fill her beautiful eyes as she reme
~ bers his noble reply. #
- But there was an unnoticed witness
~ this interesting scene. Herbert Laws
~ passing, heard his name called, and inv
~ ~ UNFAIRLY paused to hear from the lips
:. Alice the blasting of his own hopes
.rs From that moment he resolved to crr
= out from his heart the love that co,
- never meet with reciprocation. As
~ proceeded homeward to his grand
10 gloomy mansion, happy thought strr
e &c him, for twas one an angel might
"A blush to own. 80
ID ID "And why not T. mused he. 81
NJ old, rich, and childless. If Alice can
be my wife, if she cannot bcstow on
oso the priceless worth of her love, perh
nv she may learn to regard me With the
Of fection of a daughter" --s z--.~.
nv His resolve was taken, and with sue
- man as Hprhart Lawson to resolve