Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-10-03

pen. J.,
/" Is it really little Lena p the young
nobeman asked, recovering himself, and
taking his usual tone, as she was passing
from the hall
A half smile broke over her face, as-she
turned and answered by lifting small cross
suspended from her neck by silken cord
1t had been his gift years ago, when she
sat upon his knee, a little playful child,
petted and caressed, and it asstill as beau
tiful in her eyes as then, But what
change two yseFs kaa made He-had not
thought to find his " birdie," as he named
her when she sung him awake at sunrise
out beneath his window, tall, graceful
maiden of sixteen; strange indeed it SEEM
ed to him who had thought of her only as
child.
She had disappeared while he was mu-
sing over this, and he followed along the
hall and met the old gardener at the en-
trance.
Lenas feet were younger than mine,
he said in apology. Did | disturb you by
this message, my lord?'
No, no, honest Dixon / was only
resting change will be good for me- -
But what do you desire?'
Il needed directions about the borders,
my lord Shall | let the hedgerow stand?'
he asked, as they proceeded down the ave-
nue. Lena pleads hard for it because the
wild roses cluster around there; but [
think it were better to come down, my
lord, and told her so. But Lena is sad
pet sad pet, he added, shaking his head
lovingly, as he looked toward her in the
distance.
Elvyn looked too, slight smile crossed
his face, and then he turned again to Dixon.
Why shonld the hedgerow come down
Dixon? Nothing in modern style can re-
place it. Why, Lena has plucked roses
there for these dozen years, and [ found
them sweeter than all your scores of queen
, ly beauties let them stand let them stand !
Q Someway it seemed to him as if Lera were
herself wild rose, and was so associated
o in his mind with the familiar fragrance
E which difused itself through his room on
o the previous evening, that he would have
4 felt sorry to see the Queen of Roses take
: the place of these to day. Other directions
a were given about the laying out of the
grounds, and Elvyn returned to the man
n sion. He threw himself upon the low
'. couch once more, first drawing the little
i vase Of wild roses to his side, and ever
!. and anon locking forth to catch glimpse
f of white dress, fitting in and out amid
e the green, but young Lena came not into
: his presence again.
When the old gardener went out at
D morning, his granddaughter went forth
e with him, and the young man saw her,
p fitting like bird among the roses and
1 honeysuckles fresh and sparkling with dew,
/ but he was annoyed at her evident avoid
y ance of himself He would gladly have
3 forgotten that she was no longer child.
o When rested sufficiently, he sent for the
Q gardener and his wife, to bestow the gifts
he had thoughtfully remembered to pur-
e chase AS they left him, delighted as
Is much by the kindness that prompted the
E, act, as by the costly tokens themselves, he
!. babe them send Lena to him. In few
10 moments she stood before him, calmly
at awaiting his pleasure. There was none O
il the embarrassment felt at their first meet
ing, when he greeted her as child, bu
IN there was mild, gentle demeanor tha
er we'll became her in the presence of he
id superior.
i'll well Lena, he said smiling do 20,
think you have worn the cross long enougl
to part with it? and he held out his opel
I'D palm as if to receive it. She only claspet
it tightly and looked up in his face with
)" }searching glance, as if to read his exac
til wishes, but she evidently was not satisfied
he Surely, my lord, you cannot take
ed from me ; she said with troubled EXPIRE:
nd sion.
MS You can trust it in my hands; can yo
not, Lena? he said more seriously. Sh
looked up once more into his face, lon
Sc. look of eager inquiry, and then unloose
the cord and gave both that and the cro
IRE into his hands.
to 'Thark you,' he said as if for the trus
nd not the act alone.
led He removed the little silken cord, an
no opening a casket by his side, drew forth
slight chain of exquisite workmanship, ar
led linked the cross thereto. The most simp
] taste could not have objected to an orn
ing ment so unostentatious, yet SO rich, an
Ing Lena face glowed with pleasant surpris
be- When it was arranged, he unloosed Il
clasp and she bent her beautiful head
ted receive it. lie clasped it silently arour
It'll her neck, and she looked up in his ia
with radiant smile of thanks, and pass
non out.
he 4 queen could not have received a gi
las more graciously = he said half aloud, as
ORR looked after her. How little of servilit
the yet how little of pride does she displa
e of conscious as she must be, of her postio
fled and her loveliness He had retained t
rest little silken cord, and after drawing
Y at through his fingers thoughtfully many time
ld's placed it side by side with the rich gel
ired in the casket.
art When the maiden reached home S
re- found engraved upon the golden clasp, t
two single word Lena
mo- Courtnaye Elvyn saw but little of
em young girl after this, but in a char
'gh' visit to the gardeners cottage, he fou
sne that she had collected little library
lnd- books, among which were many cho
works of history and science, and he
y Of sisted her in cultivating this correct tas
the by giving her at once free access to
d to large library at the Hall. 1t was here Il
sad aho snent her happiest hours in storing