Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-17
GH0IGE LlTGRATURG.
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From the Olive Branch.
.E l. VYN HALL,
OR
THE WILD ROSE OF EvANsHIRE
ny CAROLINE HOWE.
CHAPTER III.
From the Olive Branch.
CHAPTER III.

ny CAROLINE HOWE.
CHAPTER III.
The Lady Leonore had returned. The
hall was thrown open BY day, and illumin-
ed by night, for distinguished guests had
accompanied her home, and all the eentgp |
within miles around had met to Do them
honor.
The young Lord seemed to care little
for these festivities. While standing in
the gorgeous rooms, with the brilliant as
sembly around, the voice of music ringing
in his ear, and the smiles of beauty seek
ing TO entrance him, he only looked in
ward, as it were, to picture in his heart,
u picture of a fair young girl with pale
checks, and dropping lids and then he
would steal away to "think his own
thoughts" and to look at the little cot
tage across the garden, which held trea-
sure that would be Of more worth to him
tina all this lOrdly splendor. He had been
f. 30 the cottage to arrange for the funeral of
his honest old gardener, and to secure for
the widow generous annuity, but never
had he seen Lena since he lifted her in his
arms and laid her upon the bed, when she
fell senseless in that last trying hour of
death.
A fortnight had transpired since Lady
Greyson had closed her house and was ab-
sent with her husband so that he had new
or met the young girl there.
One lovely evening he stole away for a
moment from the throng, and stood alb
stractcdly beneath the veranda, looking to-
ward the little cottage. His arms were
folded, and his head leaned back against
one Of the pillars.
Is it pleasant dream? 2? said low
voice beside him.
Yes, very, he answered, with deer
sigh, but without lifting his eyes, Elinol
Mervalc stood there irresolute beside him
many minutes, but his thoughts were fal
away, and he took no farther notice of her
Irritated by his Indifference, she swep
angrily past him, and entered the hall hel
lamp of hope went out that night as far as
Elvyn was concerned, but she consoled her
self an hour after, by receiving gracious
ly the attentions of one who had long beer
suitor for her hand, and who at last gain
cd the prize so worthless to him who stoot
there.
1t was lovely evening as Isaid With
in the hall were heard the sounds Of music
the hum Of pleasant voices reached hin
where he stood, and he knew that ncbl
ladies were looking for him in vain, ant
beauty waiting to entrance him, but h
was Indifferent to all. His heart grey
sick for one smile alone, and yielding t
the wild longings within him, he descend
cd the stone steps, traversed the paths tina
led from the hall to the lodge, and in
. few moments stood close by the wall tn;
parted the grounds from the cottage.
was quiet spot near the little spring whel
he had often seen the child Lena bend
fill the watering-pot for Dixon. He sa
again her joyous smile, he heard again h
pleasant voice, he lifted her again in b
arms, as he had so often done.
The little spring still bubbled up, t
little stream that bore its waters away, st
shone and sung as in days ofold, but wht
was the child Lena
A beautiful maiden with clear bro
eyes, and locks of sunny sheen, rose
before him-a wild rose blooming in
humble sphere, yet 50 lovely as to eclil
all other flowers. Leaf by leaf he b
seen the beautiful thoughts in her he
unfolding themselves; he had caught
rich fragrance they diffused around the
aud longed to pluck the sweet flower Fl
its native home, and wear it in his bos
before the world
lie sat down on the green bank
buried his face in his hands. His HI
was still crying out Lena Lena!
haps she heard him, for the answer ca
They say that loving spirits are nc
wholly separated, that the mystic b
cannot be entirely parted. Perhaps
heard the voice Of his soul crying out
her.
A step aroused him, a sob-he lifted
eyes. A white figure stood there in
moonlight.
Leha he exclaimed involuntarily
She turned, and would have fed,
he was at her side now. He took
hand, he pressed it to his heart. /
and trembling she had no power to re
He drew her to his bosom, he poured f
his love like torrent.
Lena, sweet Lena say that you
DC mime, my DcluNCut my NiAO1 lhJ
honored wife 2 He held her in his al
she felt the throbbing of his heart,
heard his eloquent voice pleading fol-
love. How could she turn away from
heaven of bliss and tread backward
the darkness again
... 90! Lena hemurmured, l have
yonder amid the gay and proud, but
heart grew sick even there for your s
and wandered forth, cared not W
er but heaven sent you to me, this n
my beloved. 1t is Elvyn's arms v
encircle you; it is his voice which is
ing for your love-
A sudden gush Of music from the
reached her ear, and recalled her to he
: My God forgive me J she cried q
broke from his arms. Pale as {
stood she there before him, with the 1
light falling upon her in showers
hands clasped and her bosom heaving
20, forget not yourself my lord
said in low, thrilling tones. Rene
your high station and contrast it with
think of the distance between us, th
your high-born sister it would brea