Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-03-09

sweetness Of the landscape before her and |
her own heart was thrilling IN unison with
every glancing moonbeanl. Below her,
where the cultivated garden slope stretch
ed far away behind those mighty sycamores
until itreached the verge OF a beautiful .riv
er, bloonled flowers and shrubs of rare fra
GRANGE, and the evening alrswept balmily
over her polished forehe]d, laden with
their spiciness. And not done did the
wind nestle amid the leaves with its sweet
moaning not alone, did tie flowers sway
beneath its breath. Therelwas one there,
concealed by waving arms ofthe sycamores,
who gazed upon the fair face of the uncon-
cious girl upturned iu the placid moon |
light and bade long farewell to the OBJ
ject of his fervent love.
n r. -
Life was one beautiful dream to Mabel
Rayna,d, even in the absence of him who
gave its principal charm. What tho long,
long miles intervened between them l.
were not his words to be treasured, his
smiles recalled, his thousand batteries re-
me,nbered. And then came letters, breath
ing the very soul of love and tenderness
Mabel read and re-read these precious
epistles, and, smile not reader, if the first
were theme treasured. when gradually
they became fewer and filled with details
of fashionable life, balls and routs, in
which he always seemed the most prom
inent actor. In all this she saw but his
kindness, his wish to amuse her living,
as be did, in the heart Of busy metropo-
lis and she buried in the obscurity Of the
country. The selishness, the vanity of his
heart was never apparent. Yet drearer and
drearer grew those first fond letters be had
written her soon after his return. And SO
a year sped on.
And then to Mabeps startled ear, came
the tidngs that her lover had forssken her
for the smiles of another. That the bell,
of the city had gained the heart profersc
to the simple country gal.
She sat alone that sight, ah ! who cal
tel! Of the deep stragg.ls with her s,sg ow'
disappointment of that dark hour? Tn
moonlight streamed full upon her fac
again amid the parted curtains of he
chamber window.
And is this true. Anna? Are yo
sure, quite sure p she said to the frieu
who had very gently broken the tidlngs.-
Did he gain me but to forsake me E.
Oh Anna, Anna, speak true, as YOU vaiu
my happiness. BE quick, quick-there
an aching, quivering pain about my ten
plies, and shall go mad if you hesitai
longerw
Twas but the other night saw hin
Mabel. He is splendid looking maj
truly-but hated him then, that be dal
ed to smile SO proudIya and so triumphant
upon the rich Miss Lamar. 1t was know
throughout the room that she had glad
accepted him. And thought of yo
darllng,' and / smiled so bitterly and spoil
such cutting, biting sarcasm, that even
was sienced-for Mabel, heard that nis
boast of the number of his conqucsts, al
he dared name you among them"
: The young lady paused, paralyzed at Il
:. effect of her own words. Motlone
: white as alabaster grew that beautiful fat
7 the large dark eyes were fixed fearfuily U
= on her friend; she spoke no words--s
heaved no sigh-but she sat there wi
= the moonlight streaming over her pail
!. face, as though the blood had frozen in b
- veins, and life had left her heart.
> At length she uttered in deep unna
ural tone:
:. "You may still have been mistake
- Anna; are you sure be named me, a
thus 7"
% "Sweet Mabel" answered her frie'
: tenderly twining her arms around
(" wretched girl $ would not pain you
- to save you-and whai tell you, is, all
u too true. And now spurn from your be
! the migrate who is unworthy of your p
:" love! Could you know what do, Nab
. how many fond heart has been cIus
:, through his trcachery; how many an
~ nocent love has been won and slight
Is you would treat Lis very name with
:. =. contempt it merits"
mr. leave me, leave me-" murmared
h. poor girl IS leave me this night to
own sorrow, and the morrow shall sat
IN you as to my future conduct"
for She wrote to him that night. Be
for her was his last letter, written week
ith vious, still filled with sentiments of
it'll A scornful smile came to her blanc
i lips as she conned its contents. She "
of proudly and sternly, told him of his
fidy and falseness, and discarded him
ever. Not tear dimmed her eyes
a. a tremor shook her hand as she closed
vod sealed the letter. She rang the bell,
ikin charnA of q serrank for i,nmai