Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-10
GH0IGR LITERATURE.
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From the Olive Branch.
ELVYN HALL,
THE WILD ROSE OF EvANsHIRE.
ny CAROLINE HOWE.
CHAPTER III.

ne oFuefeu MS carriage IeW nourS Ia /
ter. He cared not at what hour he reach
ed Northland Place !~What interest could |
he have henceforth in any thing apart,from !
Evanshire and its associations? When he
arrived, Lady Greyson met him even at
the door, with her kind motherly smile,
and entered the drawing room leaning up
on his arm. There was a small party as
sembled for the evening, and in their COR
dial greeting ho half forgot that long,
gloomy ride, and the longings that were
until now reaching far back into Evanshire
He had reached the centre of the bril-
liant rooms, and was standing in conversa-
ton with Elinor Mervalc, neice Of Lord
Northland's, when Lady Northland with a
familiarity that long acquaintance had Civ
en- her, laid her hand upon his arm, and
directed his look by an admiring glance of
her own, to the opposite side of the room.
He turned carelessly.
Great heavens Lena herer he ex-
claimed much agitated. She was in her
usual dress Of white, and her only orna-
ments were the little pearl cross and chain,
and few fresh leaves in her hair yet
she surpassed all others in beauty, as she
stood there, unconscious of the admiration
she excited, with her sweet face upifted
aud listening to white-haired gentleman
beside her.
For an instant the young noblcman look
ed at her with the smile Frightening and
deepening upon his face then sigh fol-
lowed, and he turned abruptly away. Eli
nor Mervale saw the look, and frown gath
cred upon her brow. AS herecoyered him.
self, aud turned again to address her, she
smiled scornfully, and left him without a
word. He scarcely noticed it however in
his abstraction, but Miss Mervale, enraged
at the look with which he had regarded hi:
own menial as she termed her, within her
self vowed revenge upon the unconsciou:
offender.
She had in vain sought to win the young
nobleman's regard at Paris, and at variou,
meetingsat her uncle's, and now she under
stood the reason of his coldness Keen
eyes has jealously, and sharp sting has
pride She could have better borne a RI
val In an equal and Lena was made to
feel this afterward..
Could Lady Greyson have known that
Elvyn's neglect of her on that evening,
arose from her retaining the beautiful girl
constantly beside her, she would have con-
demned herself for bringing Lena into po-
sition where her worth and beauty became
only the more apparent.
But once did Courtnaye Elvyn meet her
glance, and then the sudden light broke
over her face, and the blush which follow
ed, thrilled him to the soul. The look anC
that blush haunted him even upon his pill
low
He rose with the sun, and descending
from his chamber, walked along the ter
race. Suddenly the tones of lutte, accom-
panied by voice of great sweetness, reach
cd his ear, and charmed by the melody
he hurried forward to catch glimpse {
the singer, wondering who of all the nobl
ladies there could thus euchant him, whe
on turning a niche of the building, he wa
close beside her as she sat by the ope
easement. Could it be Lena? She turn
ed, and he was answered. With a dee
blush she rose, evidently startled and dis
turbed by his sudden appearance
90 Pardon me : he said bowing low,
am sorry to have disturbed you'
thought no one was astir yet
You have had teachers |? he half askec
half asserted.
No, my lord few lessons from Lad
Greyson and the loan of q few books of i
struction, have been ALL He would ha,
asked her to sing, but she trembled so tn
he refrained, and plying her. evident Ell
barrassment, left her.
Yet as he thought of one after anoth
of her accomplishments, revealed to hi
by accident alone, he grew sick at hea
and wished that he might rank hims
with those of humber lot, if so he mig
take that singing bird to some quiet NJ
to brighten the summer of life for him
Alas for wealth and honor, when th
divide heart from heart Love is swee
than riches or rank-the light of d.
eye fairer than the lustre of gold.
1t had been arranged between themsel,
that the members of the family should
cupy one carriage, leaving the others
follow in what order they pleased Elv
had offered his for that purpose as bel
the most commodious Lady Greyson a
her daughter had previously insisted W
taking Lena with them, much against
young girls wishes, who pleaded hard
remain ut Northaud Place until their
turn, but they would not hear to it. Gl
ly would Miss Mervale have condemn
her to isolation, but as it could not be,
resolved to shower her scorn upon her
every possible way. Courtnaye EIvyn
heard Lena pleading to remain, and
face frightened when he saw her desce
ing, equipped like the others, for the 10
ney. What had become of all his v
resolutions He knew not, cared n
circumstances out of his control had brou
them again together, and he was satisl
with this, and happy in the presence
reason bade him shun.
1t was carly morning when the party
tered their carriages The sun shone
plendcnt, and tAe fresh air was so inyi
rating that every heart beat more ligh
The company entered into conversation
on indifferent topics, but Lena heard n,