Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1854-11-22
Z6CHAPTER ".

The nextlevening but one, as the weather
was again exceedingly warm, Mrs. Montague
no longer objected to Evelyne's leaving the
house.. So about sunset she started for her
favorite seat on the willow. She had not
gone far when she found a servant had fol-
lowed her with a bright red scarf, the very
sight of which made her feel warm. But she
took it and by the time she reached her seat
she found it so much cooler, that she was
glad she had not refused it. After sitting
there a few minutes she heard footsteps APP
preaching. Surprising it to be Walter, she
rested her arm on the runk of the tree, and
pretended to be fast asleep. As she reclined
thus, the scarf contrasting so beautifully with
her white dress for in summer Evelyne
usually wore whether hair shading her
face, and her long lashes resting Of her
cheek, she looked so lovely, that a poet or
painter might have envied the present intru-
der. Finding that Walter did not speak, she
slowly opened her roguish, laughing eyes,,
and what was her amazement to find Layton
Norvelle standing before her, gazing at her
with such undisguised admiration, that it
only served to increase her confusion.
Il fear l have disturbed you,' he said has-
tily. Mrs. Montague gave me permission to
look for you, as l am the bearer of a note
from ANNIE
You did not disturb me, in the least. |
supposed of course, it was Walter, and !
wished to repay a little of his teasing
Has he been very tiresome of late
Yes, very. Was he not a great tease al
CollegeT
Indeed he was, but 1 thought he had i'm
proved
There was a pause for some minutes, wheI
Layton said i felt sure l should find yol
- - I-zl -o,,ol nE 4hIc FROM
ANNIE
We are both very fond of it,
lie scarcely needed the interruption, bH
continued: have dreamed of it for years
and thought what happiness it must be t
sit, as l am sitting now. Now that | an
here will you listen to what have SO longe,
to sayP
He paused, but Efie answered not by wor
or glance. He went OIL think you mus
know how | love you you must have felt
long. But Of late, l have feared you coul
never return it that it was presumption i
me to dream of it. IF so, you must forgiv
and forget it, will you not, E~velyne?'
She tried to raise her eyes, but on encour
tering his, they fell again; but ne gent
, drew her towards him she made no resi-
lance, but seemed glad to find a support fC
/, her dropping head, and shade for her burr
2 ing cheeks. They sat there for many mil
l utes, and then he said: You cannot r
member my being at home some two yea
ago, Efie?
r oh yes was all she said, but her ey
s grew darker, and brighter.
4 of course | cannot expect you to remer
Der it as l do he said, somewhat sadly, 81
ever since that happy Spring, with my who
!; heart | have loved you. Since that time,
q have not had a thought of the present, nor
hope Of the future, u~nconnected with you.
If l might only think you had sOmetim
a thought of me-
4 ASK AnnieY
Il had rather ask you, Efhe.' He kept
" peating her name lingsringly, tenderly,
e one dallies with a new-found delight. S
y, seemed to feel reproached by his gentle te
= derness, for she said Annie used to re
me your letters, and we used to talk o,
your plans, and wonder what you we're dol
them And Fife raised her head with
|, blush and smile that said more than her 81
pie words; more perhaps, than she "
aware of.
e, After a few minutes passed in happin,
in too deep for words, Layton said, Would