Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-12-12
CbQirE TitGraturR.
CHAPTER II,
BY KATE SUTHERLAND


II was impossible for such passionate
interviews, brief though they were, 10
take place without leaving on the heart
OF simple minded girl like Jenny Law
son, deep impression. New impulses
were given to her feelings, and new
direction TO her thoughts. Nature told |
her that Mark Clifford loved her; and |
nothing but his cold dsavowal ofthe fact
could possibly have affected this belief
He had met her, IT was true, only three
or four times but their interviews dur
ing these meetings had been of charac-
ter TO leave no ordinary effect behind
So long as her eyes, dimmed by over.
flowing tears, could follow Marks retir-
ing form, she gazed eagerly after him !;
and when he was at length hidden from
her view, she sat down to pour out her
heart in passionate weeping.
Old Mrs. Lee, while she tenderly low
ed the sweet flower that had grown up
under her care, was not, in all things,
wise and discreet woman nor deeply
vetsed in the workings OF the human
heart.
Rumor of Marks wildness had found
its way 10 the neighborhood OF Fairview,
Rnd made on unlavorable IMPRESSION
fvffg. I1er 5firs,iy believed that be WIZ
moving with swiGtsieet in -rne-way 10 des-
truction, and rolling evil under his tongue
as q sweet morsel. When she heard OF
his arrival at his grandiather's fear
came upon her lest he should cast his
eyes upon Jenny. No wonder that she
met the young man with such quick
repulse when, to her alarm, she found
that he had invaded her home, and was
already charming the ear Of the innocent
child she so tenderly loved and cared for
To find them sitting alone in the woods
only a little while aiterward', almost
maddened her and so soon as she took
Jenny home, she hurried over to Mr.. Lof
ton, and in a confused, exaggerated, ant
incorporate manner, complained of the
conduct Of Mark.
Together alone in the woods = ex
claimed the old gentleman, greatly excl
ted. What does the girl mean3'
What does he mean, thus to entict
away my innocent child 2 said Mrs. Lee
equally excited. oh, Mr.. Lotion 10
goodness sake, send him back 10 Nev
York! If he remain here day Longer
all may be lost Jenny is bewtche
with him. She cried as if her hear
would break when | took her back home
and said that had done wrong to Mar
in what had said 10 him
Weak and foolish child How littl
does she know Of the world-how littl
Of the subtle human heart Yes-ye
Mrs. Lee, Mark shall 60 back at once
He shall not remain here day longer
to breathe his blighting breath on s
sweet a flower. Jenny is 100 good a 81
TO be exposed to such an influence
The mind Of Mr.. Lotion remained e.
cited for hours after this interview; ar
when Mark appeared, he met him as h;
already been seen. The manner
which the young man received the a
srY words of his grandfather, was Ii
tIe different from what had been antiC
baled. Mr.. Lotion expected some e
PLANTATION b& which he could understal
more clearly what was in the your
mans thoughts. When, therefore, Ma
abruptly turned from him with su
strange language on his tongue, n
Lotions anger cooled, and he felt I'll
he had suffered himself TO be misled
hasty judgment. That no evil h
been in the young mans mind he "
sure. 1t was this change that h
prompted him to make an effort to rec
him. But the effort was fruitless.
On Jenny's return home, after her !
interview with Mark, she found a servi
there with a summons from Mr.. LoltC
With reluctance she repaired to
mansion house. On meeting with
old gentleman he received her IN k
hut subdued manner; but, as for Jer
herself, she stood in his presence we
ing and trembling.
Jenny,' said Mr.. Lotion, after the
had grown more composed, when
YOU first meet my grandson
Jenny mentioned the accidental mi
ing on the day before, and the call at
cottage in the morning.