Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1862-04-21


Mabel was loved by those who knew
her. In the home Of rich and doting
father she grew up from a sweet little child,
TO the noble and generous woman. Well
do those remember her gentle manners and
sweet voice, who studied botany, and chem
istry, aud philosophy, and aritbuletic with
her in the cherished Academy under the
hill. And they have not forgotten the
games they all played together on the
green lawn that ran down to the brook |
that watered the farmers meadow. Back |
over a long lapse OF years come those cher
ished scenes to those who knew Mabel
when she was young and happy, and they
were all happy together within the walls
of that cherished Academy, but are now
scattered over our common country, some
in the North, some in the South, some
where the western rivers lave the green
shores, and some in Heaven! Bright
days we're they, brighter by far than any
that have since gilded the pathway of
Time.
Mabel's heart was a woman's heart and
being that, it was a heart to be won. A
young Banker from a neighboring city saw
her and was captivated by her charms. He
was rich and handsome, and these requi-
sites too often ensnare the affections of
the young without properly weighing char
acter and disposition. Herbert Stanhope,
the young banker, was handsome to look
upon, and his manners were polished and
winning. A few interviews were sufficient
to win the love and confidence of Mabel
May. They were married and the bless
ings of an old father rested upon his chill
dren bound together by the most holy tie
A few weeks after the marriage, Mabel.
father was called away from earth, and be
was laid inehe grave, by the side of fonl
wife and mother that slept there with the
white web of many winters and the fowe
ry web of many summers upon her llstless
breast.
Mabel was an orphan. Her only coun
seller and friend was her husband. Tc
him she looked with that calm and trus-
ting confidence that none but wife car
know, and she felt that she was secure
His love was the ark that, like the tireC
dove, she flew to, when the storms of lift
threatened.
Herbert removed with his wife to rich
ly furnished mansion in fashionable par
of the city. Gold and silver were invok
ed to increase the happiness OF the youny
couple. The days were bright and fled o
swift wings. The grief incident to tn
death OF doting parent was soon lost i
the whirl of pleasure and gayetv, Ball
and parties we're attended and the fai
Mabel from the mountains was introduce
to fashionable society. She soon becam
q star in the rich galaxy of fashion in tn
gay metropolis. Her society was courte
and Aatterers bowed at her qneeny shrine
Herbert was at first proud of the honag
shown bis wife but ere be was aware
it, jealousy had found place in his brea'
and its poison embttered his very SOUL
He nursed the base passion in secret unit
it burnt in his bosom, like a glowing fur
pace and stung like deadly serpent
Mabel saw that a change was fast comm
over her husband; but in the innocenC
and purity Of her nature, she knew n,
the cause.
Memory, ever busy, carried her back
the bright and blessed days of her child
hood, and the pleasant years she spe
with those ho loved her within the wal
of the old Academy. She pressed Il
grief to her bosom, as the wounded bi
clasps the deadly arrow, trembling in
side, with its own wing. Herbert did n
smile upon her when he came to his hon
in the evening, as in days of yore.
was cross and Grabbed in his manne
while each day added fresh pangs to h
sorrow. What had she done? VIII
great error had she committed that h
herl She knew not. She knew that s
was innocent of anv criminal offence, a
no entreaty was sufficient to move her hi
band to reveal the torturing passion Il
were gnawing in his own bosom. He b
nursed that passion until it was theoh
ting demon of his days and the torturi
spirit of his midnight dreams.
The splendid mansion, once the hay
of rest, was now gaudv hell to both
Poor Mabel, she wept that she was mis-
able and that she had no friend to fly
and pour out from her soul the food
sorrow that was drowning each sweet a
holy hope of her Young being And II
bert fretted himself with his jealousy ;
premeditated revenge.
\ year passed and rosebud bloom
in that desert home. An innocent be
With soul TO live forever! MabeTs {
-Mabel's brow She loved her babe
as she gazed upon it; hope told fatter