Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-09-14


stairs and went to supper, which he con-
sumed thoughtfully, but plentifully, and
escorted CAeStcr'S back to him with much
the feeling that be was taking repast to
q doomed man.
1t was all over. Abner came back on
away for fear of being asked to assist
de could as lief almost, have assisted ut
Chester's hanging.
How do you feel Chess said he,
creeping into the room, and speaking in
whisper.
Pretty well, except from the effects Of
the chioroform,' answered Chester, in his
natural voice.
This emboldened Abner. Does your
hand hurt? asked he and as soon as
the words left his mouth be became over.
whelmed with sense of having made an
unfortunate speech.
The place where it used TO be hurts
some, but it's net as bad as thought it
would be- answered Chester, with 3
smile at the unhappy expression left on
Abner's countenance, tho effect OF his
supposed. fauc pas. But Pm very
drowsy,' he added suppose you turn
| down the gas, and leave ne for an hour
or SO shall be asleep when you come
back
Abnsr arranged his own pallet on the
floor, turned down the gas, and disap-
peared noiSelessly. In a very low state Of
mind he sanntered to the hotel. His ex-
treme gravity and good behaviour alarm
ed the girls. When they asked how
Chester was. Abner shook his head
mournfully It's all over poor fellow !
) Great heavensp cried his sister, seiz-
ing him by the.arm you don't mean to
say-oh if it is so, tell me, Abner-
brother; he didn't die under it She
seemed SO overcome, that Abner made
: haste to tell her that Chester had only
suffered amputation and assured her
that he was doing very weh. Mary's
: look Of thankfulness was so touching,
; that Lucy, whose eyes were twinkling at
e the excsllssss. chance foy a tease which
afforded her, fetrainsc ho1, az ~
"a which she felt weuld be out of place
'. since Mary treated the matter so seri-
r. ousy. In jusce to Lucy, it must b,
nd said, she knew, as he had told her. tn,
,e circumstances, that Abner alluded t
Chester's losing his hand when be mad
u use of the equivocal exclamation which
~ Mary had interpreted as implying NOR
Nv serious loss to Chester; hence the sens
tol of the ludicrous was excited by Mary
ON betraying her feelings. In vain Lucy es
on saved to give the conversation a Cheerful
. , turn: what little there was moved a
on slowly as a funeral procession, and wa
a. in a style which might be expected
~ that OCCASION He sat silently for is
b;;ss moments when an idea seemed to strih
it, him, and he rose.
IA i must 60, girls he said
nd What Tor You stay such sho
Nv Nv time always, Abner,' said Mary.
G the ON! Imust do something; l nsv
to. was so blue in my life
" do something cried Lucy tn
or,. suppose YOU make yourself agreeable
not ms. declare believe that you all tire
~ ths matter more seriously than Mr. Eie
ing. himself; but you can go, sir. l
nat glad of one thing, at any rate
cod What's that, asked Abnef as the
!, Il mark was addressed to him ~
was why | anl glad that you can be
,r;N rious had begun to think that itv
nj impossible.' Lucy accompanied this W
,,ar one of her archest looks but Abnsr ,
ba impervious, and doggedly filed his me
mr. schaum. I must smoke, you see girls
and relieves me. . 49, -
NV AN ovation it appears, said L
-'go on sir; file right-tnarch. Yc
snr- don't fiatter US by staying another.
,em. ment. Come in, Mary, let's 90 on
on. balcony and leave him TO bis funigatio
Oh She gave her head pretty toss q
was stepped out on the balcony.
case Abner followed her with an admir-
glance which dispelled the shade 4
,l,,v had fingered for such an unwonted
ester riod upon his features. Isn't she 81
ure's and pretty Mary he said, turning tc
ough sister =.
THAT she is Abb, and 50 happily
and stituted. | admire your choice !; a
had intend to love her very much when
en- to becomes my sister. But tell me-
lend, did poor NJ. Fielding besr lido
!, had seem to suffer z -
Jester Chloroform-noEy calm,'
ear it Abner, between paffs for they
like standing in the hall where be had Ii
then pipe.
ng: Would there. be any impropri,
He our gong to see him soon?
f and Under tue circumstances ans
/ him Abner, looking her provokingly st
was in the face. No; IN call for yo,
u said few days He ran down the
voice, without noticing how his sister blu
and che ioined I,ucv On Yha haIoo.