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

or led her into conversation upon those she
had been reading, until such seasons came
to be looked upon as pleasant and profit
able to both.
There had been residing for many years
upon part of the Elvyn estate, family
of good birth and station, but who had
been SO far reduced by misfortune, as to be
living quite in retirement The old Lord
Greyson had been Earl Elvyn's most congo
NAL friend in earlier days, and young Ell
vyn still kept up that intercourse with the
family which had existed from childhood.
His own parents having died years previous,
he had looked to these old friends, both
for counsel and sympathy, and it was fire e.
ly bestowed. He turned to Lady Greyson
especially, with almost sons affection.
OF his own family, all that now remained
were himself and sister-the proud Lady
Leonore. The latter was somewhat past
her youth, but her fine figure, her dignity
of carriage, and a complexion almost unri-
vailed, made her still person to be noticed
and admired. The great world wondered,
as we'll it might, at her rejection Of SO many
noble suitors for her hand, but it wonder
ed in vain. What strange secrets lie hid
den in every heart
The Lady Leonore had now been absent
several months, having Joined her brother
in Paris, and consented to remain there
with friends, who were to return with her.
There were no special attractions for him
at EVanshire, but it was home. Home i!
it has pleasant sound to every ear, and
he had become weary Of life abroad, of
travel and excitement, and looked forward
with new and strange anticipations to
the quietude and repose of home. He
wondered at this eagerness that seemed al
most childlike to his well balanced mind,
but he wondered in vain. The solution
was yet to come. 1t was true that here his
parents had given him their tenderest care
in infancy, their guidance through youth,
and ther blessing in death here every tree
in the domains had become as familiar
friend, every path had echoed with his
voice, and the yellow sand on the lake
shore knew the tread of his feet. There
were noble lords and gentle ladies, who
would delight to give him greeting, anc
among his retainers he was beloved and
honored, but it was none of these tha
gave such speed to his footsteps Was i
his destiny that was beckoning him on P
We know that oftentimes inclination
which we can neither understand or con
troll, draw US in course opposite to tina
circumstances would lead US to take
Men call this Destiny! Another name
have [; say it reverently. own not tn
power of that mysterious impellant, inexpl
cable in character by any law, human 0
divine-but know there is COP, and
our spirits were more in harmony with Hi:
we should recognize the tones and bo,
down as in His more immediate presence
Still call it destiny if you will, and vii
answer you that Destiny is God!
[ have spoken Of Lady Greyson. He
only child had married some years befor
and lived at distance, and Lena had file
her place in long illness that threatene
death to her mother, and we'll had she bee
repaid. Lady Greyson loved her as
daughter, and it was to her teachings and ii
fuence that the young girl was indebted ;
: first for her advancement in knowledge
Here too, young Elvyn often met her, an
more on an equality than elsewhere. He
! he saw her truthfulness and simplicity
r character, and the mental endowments f;
above her sphere, and here he learned
love her yet more entirely. Yethe saw wit
pain as time elapsed, that she withdre
! herself as much as possible from his atte
| tions. Never did she permit the distan'
4 between them to be lessened, but whe
t most at her ease she laid not aside th
charm that gave character to every Wo
t and step.
! One day he failed to see her, howeve
and he wandered listlessly through the
!, brary, and over the grounds, but foul
. nothing to interest him. Lady Greys
- was absent on a visit to her daught
at Northland Place, and Lena seem
: as far removed from honest Dixon and |
wife as a princess would be, and SO his Ii
) refused to speak her name to them. In va
he watched to catch glimpse of the VIII
dress in the distance, and gloomy and re
less he leaned upon one of the pillars su
porting the veranda. and gave way to
q thoughts. He felt with pain and regr
le what an ascendancy this sentiment "
1 gaining over him. He thought of his birt
d his station--of his proud sister-and
e ancestral lineage which he had often boa
le ed, was never disgraced by any plebci
. alliance, and he sighed heavily.
y thought too of this young girl, 50 pure,
. . beautiful, that the angels might not sha
u to call her sister, yet SO far removed fir
him as to make it a disgrace to show ever
tt brothers interest in her-tbe daughter
he has gardener. Alas when love speaks
y, matter little what all other voices say.
=, Pride sunk back abashed at the image
n, his heart; yes if not to himself, it was 4
ne to his family, to put aside all ughts
it her. She, equal with himself in all
IS, higher attributes that make up nobility
MS she, fitted to adorn any station in life, i,
only the grand daughter of his menial
be He must forget her!
be He resolved after many struggles to j
his sister in Paris, without delay, and ar
he after sleepless night, to commence
ce preparations for his journey. He wal
nd out upon the terrace. The dew was s
of upon the grass, and all nature smiled u
ice him, yet pale and haggard as the face
as the light of morning shone upon.
te. A servant handed him note from L
he Greyson, begging him to join herself,
,at other friends, in a tour of few days to
,er sea side. 1t was to be only family pa