Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-10-10
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From Godeys Ladys Book for October.
THE HEARTS RESOLVE.
by ALICE b. NEAL.
"a chain of gold ye shall not lack,
Nor braid 20 bind your hair;
Nor mettled hound, nor managed hawk
Nor palfrey frisk and fair.
And you, the foremost of them a,
Shall ride on forest greenp
But yet she loot the tears down IA
For Jock o Hazeldeen."
"But you can't think it a question of du-
ty, Ellenp
Il have never known another, parent; and
you know, Jamie, we were both taught bv
the rector, when we were children, that the
commandment with promise included all
those who had shielded or sheltered our
youth You have not forgotten the cate
chizing, surely, when we used to stand in the
chancel, with our eyes fixed on the good man,
as he explained our duty to God and our
neighbor."
James Ellis had not forgotten it; for it
was there, in that lonely parish church, stand
ing by the chanCel rails, that he had first
learned to love his village playmate. Cor
phan Ellen" they called her then, though she
had found friends and home in the Lodge
of Ayton Hall. There was something in her
manner and bearing different from the rest
of the children upon the village green. In
all their plays, she was the leader; and she
never abused the confidence reposed in her
by unjust tyranny, which so many children
show. James Ellis, the gardeners son, was
her favorite among them all; for he loved
flowers, and, living always among them,
seemed to breathe portion of their delicate
spirit. He was as athletic as his fellows, but
never boisterous and, though he was no
laggard at ball and "Hunt the Hare" he loved
far better to wander away in the woods, with
Ellen for his companion; to read to her
from some book the rector had loaned him
or he had begged from the shelves of the
housekeeper.
They learned their catechism together
sitting upon a bank they had christened
FAIRY Knoll" for the lovely flowers that
grew there and the dull hard sentences had
new charm as he repeated them, guided by
her pleasant voice and never-faiing patience
Did he remember the catechism in the church
Yes; and how he had watched her ever
then, in the red light that fell through the
stained glass windows, and thought angels
must be like Ellen Lloyd, who, with meek anC
Teverent face, listened to the holy teaching
of their good rector. And there was anoth
or recollcction-of the happy May whel
she was chosen queen. His father gave hin
flowers for the garland which she wore ant
his sister Annie, much older than himself
made him very happy by gift of the broa,
white ribbon with which it was tied Ho,
Ellen had thanked him, with her eyes an
with her smile And they were merry wit
their dances and songs un6l-yes, until tn
young squire came; and here his brow dark
ened in the reverie. He was a young lac
no older than James, but very proud an
self-willed even then. He must kiss the pre-
ty queen forsooth and Ellen blushed an
drew back, while her young champion cam
to the rescue. There were high words, an
almost blows, until his father parted them
while Ellen, weeping and trembling, tore IL
garland from her forehead, and would sin
no more that day.
How strangely our childhood shadow
IorJn our lie Many years had gone b
yet they were sitting on the fairy knoll, as
the dayswe have called; and the boyish riva
of old were rivals still, both suitors for Il
hand Of Orphan Ellen. She had grow
up in the Lodge to tall and stately W
man, despite the rustic dress which she g
ways wore, and the household tasks atwhi,
she labored Cheerfully. James Ellis hs
removed 10 another parish, bordering u
on Ayton, however, towards which his he
iday rambles were always directed; and Il
young squire had come into possession
the Hall, with wild undisciplined mind al
heart, and that same fierce will. Caring on
for field sports, and associating with the id
followers which they drew around him,
was no wonder that the quiet grace of Ell,
lloyd attracted him, meeting her as he d
within the shadow Of his very roof. Al
cunning Dame Ma1ery was not slow to pt
ceive it, or to throw out lures, which we
scarcely wanting. He had no pride to ov,
come; there was no one to consult or advi
and 80 he demanded at last the hand of
humble charge, never dreaming that
could be opposed or thwarted. Dame Nj
jerry hattered, threatened, and caioled. S
was DID, she said, and needed many comic
they could i'll afford with their straiter
means. Besides, the squire had helped tn