Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-28

N -
tains ! Have not listlsssly marked the
rise and fall of smpires-the thunder
burst of mighty Heaven, melting cities
with its fire Aye, have not descended
into the Egyptian catacombs, to hoot at
and spurn the enbalmed Jumps Of once
animated clay, while snvied them their
calm rspose? And can love? Rather
let this cold heart be the home of dead
ly hate! Girl, tits pity thou art SO fair;
l could laugh to feast upon the crimson
tides of thy young heart for, the nobler
the victim, the nobler my vengeance up
on thy race"
A fiendish grin spread his lips as he
concluded-but, as if suddenly recollect
ing something dreadful, ithe muscles of his
countsnance quickly relaxed into an ex
preston of fright, and, looking wildly |
around him, he uttered half.smootherel |
shrek, and buried his face beneath his |
mantle.
Wilfred marked the effect of the con-
ficting emotions that were raging in the
bosom of the stranger, and he could not
but pity the fate of one on whom nature
had so firmly fixed her seal of manly
beauty. Gould it be insanity or the tn.
mutt of an accusing conscience? Per-
chance be had committed some foul deed,
which had stamped his character with
dishonor, and, in endeavoring to fly the
recollection of it, his mind had become
wreck. Meditating on the singularty of
the strangers conduct, he strolled leis-
urely through a long vista of elm trees,
until he reached beautiful artificial foun-
i taIn ha hril1i Of rxyhi oh ho aH
miring, when he felt his sleeve slightly
pulled, and, turning round, he beheld
Blanca.
Il have come" said she, looking rath.
er serious, 'to unbosom myself to you
but fear you will langh at nay girl
ish superstition. Alas Wilfred, that
stranger: cannot tell why it should be
so, but there is an undefnable someth :ng
in his features which strikes me with awe,
and, | may say, terror. In a dream, a
few nights since, [ saw mysterious be-
ing menacing me with bloody hands,
His face and form were exactly those of
the stranger, anu MS eye hamed with
| equa. splendor. 7 do net wish to place
faith in dreams, Wilfred, yet this vision
portei.ds no good. I would the man
! were away"
= Wilfred only smiled at the fears of the
a / maiden, and, taking her gently by the
6 hand, led her along the path until they
+. arrived at romantic grotto which over
e looked the proud lake and the country
!, far beyond the opposite shore.
"You know the place, Blanca ?" SAID
he. " 1t was here first heard you breaths
a sentence which made me tho happies
4 of men. You said then that you loved
: me-. Do not hide your face, Blanca i
4. pure affection be sin, the world ha
: much to answer for. A repetition o
! your vows do not ask, for [ know you
~ heart-you would not deceive me- Blu
- I have come to bid you a short farewell
d | can be dependent upon my father n
h longer, and the call of my country ha
fallen upon my ear. Surely you will
= not blame me when you know leave 20
"a to join those brave men who have array
- ed themselves in defence. of the libertie
~ of unhappy Switzerland"
9 Blame you, Wilfred ?' exclaimed th
L. generous girl, her fine features kindlin
r. with more than usual fire, "could | up
o braid you for obsying the decree of duty
Switzerland has use for the bravsst
~ her sons, and l would blush with sci
ia contempt, did 1 refuse to forego the plea
to ure of your society for the veal of IN
tn oppressed country"
Wilfred could not reply; he felt th'
n. sweet excess of delight which subdu,
r. the power of utterance, and so snthra
ey the heart that the extreme of bliss is q
90 most painful. He took her willing har
rv with all the timidity of enc who felt tn
nm he was in the presence of superior b.
ras ing, and pressed it fondly to his lips
~ "Gs, Wilfred, continued Blanca, al
,er may you meet crown of honor in Il
II glorious cause to which you have SO n,
~ bly, attached yourself, is the sincere
,cb prayer of her who now bids you far
,.d well. only ask you to remember Z
nm. kndly-take my heart it has slwa
Al been, and ever shall be yours.
in. "Bianca = exclaimed the youth,
he. a moment forgetting his country and I
icb the word besides, save the loved o
rm before him, | cannot leave you-il
N. be mine, and then double link will bi
me to the interest of Switzerland
ths 'Weuld you have me prove mys
If. unworthy the title of Wildenbur
o,t, daughtery ? asked she casting an snqu
lem ing. glance upon him; an imperat
an voice is now ringing in your ears VIII
and commands you to use your strength
a of defence of your rights. Wreaths v