Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-03-09
Atttret#re.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.
FALSE AND TRUE LOVE;
THE SOLDIERS REWARD.

A bright afternoon, succeeding dull
cloudy morning IN autumn. The sun
beams, the more brilliant for their late I'M
prisonment, gleamed gladly over vale, hill
side and summit. Beautiful sunbeams,
emtlems Of life and gladuess 10 the human
soul infusing freshcr and livelier spirit
in the dropping, anima:ug the weary and
Responding, glowing over all thin with
their golden lustre, making sad world
beautiful, and bright world glorious
They stole though the cottage door, and
the high arched portal Of wealth ; they
rested alike on the hoary bowed head of
age, and the glad brows of youth-on the
loftiest and the lcwliest.
Mable Raynard smiled, for the first time
that day, as she watched from her window
the heavy mist of the morning gradually
recede in the distance, and a warm glow
ing radiance illuminate the landscape. Her
own young heart had been full of sad
thoughts, but now a brighter and more
cheering influence dispelcd the recent
gloom. Not long can the very young re
member their disappointment, or cease to
gild the future with glory, alas never
realized. And now, as the light of sun
beams streamed full upon the dark clus-
ters of her hair, lending tinge of purple
to its blackness, and over her lovely child>
like face, the light of hope sprung up, like
bright beacon in her heart.
81 will seek my father" she murmured,
:" he will not-he cannot, refuse the petit
tions of his only child" -
In the same mansion, with his head
bent over his clasped hands, his limbs re-
laxed and listless, bis eyes bent downward,
though aat upon. tho 1f7eIfess
before him, sat gentleman in deep
Thought. Suddenly, a small hand was laid
upon his head, an arm stole round hi:
neck, and the lips Of his child touched his
forehead. He looked up, with quiet
searching glance into her anxious face, enc
her eyes sunk beneath it. He drew hi
arm aronnd her, and placed her beside
him, aud for few moments neither spoke
though Mabels heart quivered like frigh
tened bird. At lengthstbe father sale
sadly and mourntuly:
"And SO my daughter would leave m
for the home of stranger. Scarcely pas
her childhood, she deems herself capabl
of choosing husband better than he
father. All me will she find the worl
always so fatteripg and so kind ?-wi
her lover be ever so devoted Iwho,hay
read life better than you. Mabel, WI
love you so truly and so fondly, have lai
nv interdict upon your wishes, and hay
only acted thus that you might be hsE
pier aud a nobIer woman
"Oh, father" said the girl in lo'
tremulous voice, never, never can find
heart nobler and better than yours to lei
upon, never home Of greater enjoymer
Nor do | wish to leave you in your lone
ness. He whom love will join me in a
ding to your comfort, will be to you so
supplying the place of my lost and lame
ted brother"
"Never !" cried the old man veh
mentlv, while nc half rose from his cha
and slightly pushed away bis daughter.
"Never can such as James Leunox' SUPP
the place of my beloved Charles ney
shall he call me father!--nor shall |
home be polluted by his presence. He
weak, unprincipled man, Msbe', uhsta
as the wind, the companion of the pr,
gate and the abandoned"
Up over the girls pale brow rushed
hurting crimson, her lips quivered angr
aud her eyes flashed Indignantly as ,
.'tood up before her father.
He who told you these things PERU
his soul with base falsehood-and y
informHr / know. Dared Walter Lem
hope to i,eap insult and dishonor upon
noble head that stands unscathed and I
umphaut in its purity dared he hope
win my hand by reviliug his cousins cl
acteri He is a bold and daring, wooe
more so than he shall be who wins
hand of Mabel Rayuard.'
aYet, father" said she more calmly
Mr. Raynard gazed with astoRisbment u
his usually mild daughter. Yet, G
these charges be sustained, you know
willingly | would resign James Len
But they can not they never can!
oh. father she pursued, sinking upon
knees beside him, " for ny sake, dc
cast him utterly off Father, goadec
despair and anguish, hopeless, aimless,
he not become what you picture hlu
For the sake Of the love you bear me