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

position she therefore remained in her room
the rest of the day.
And what of the young man himself
He too, had sought retirement, and was
reproaching himself for his utter forgetful-
ness of everything but this love for Lena
Grove. He saw the imposslbility Of be- |
coming suitor for her hand, he dweltl
upon his proud sisters horror at such an
alliance, and he fortified himself with new
resolutions to crush all future emotions
HIS gardeners grandchild ! it must not be
Alas, for Reason when Love takes the
stronghold of the heart While this con-
fict was still going on, they met for few
moments in the drawing room. The shades
of evening were fast falling around, yet it
was not too dark for each to see in the
averted eye, in the compressed lips, and
the heaving bosom, the struggle that was
still going ON within.
A servant entered with note for Lady
Greyson. The old gardener was danger
ously i'll, and Lena must return at once
An especial request was added for Lady
Greyson's presence also at the cottage
There must be no delay. With heavy
heart Lena went to her room to prepare for
her return. Lady Greyson, late as it was
at night, resolved to accompany her. To
this, Elinor Mervale objected openly.
Why should they be deprived of Lady
Greyson's society because young mass was
called for? It was unaccountable, certainly
Elvyn turned hastily.
It is but an act Of humanity, he re-
piled in tone of severity. You would
not surely let toe young lady ride at night
without a companion, Miss Meryale 2
1T eoouzd be unjust to one so delicately
reared she said contemptuously. per
haps, however, you might like to eli that
ofice!'
To this rude remark, he deigned no re-
ply, but bowling low with most provoking
smile, as if acknowledging compliment
TO his taste he turned to obey summons
at the door. A sturdy fisherman stood
there, awkwardly twirling cross and chain,
which he had heard belonged to one Of the
young lords party. It was grasped eager
ly, the man rewarded generously and then
he spraug to Lady Greyson's rooms to res
tore the lost treasure, glad indeed, that il
had not come an hour later.
Lena Lena dear child y called tht
Kind lady, as she saw the glittering link:
in his hand.
Lena Grove came hastily from the ante
room. With quick cry ofjoy, she sprans
forward and held out her hand to receive
the recovered treasure. The young mar
shook his head smiling, ia sorrowful smil
it was) and then undid the clasp. Sh
understood him intuitively, and with tn
beautiful color deepening into crimson upol
her cheek, she bent her head before him
and he clasped the chain once more abou
her neck. He could not forget that hal
joyful, balf sorrowful look upon her swee
face, as she went forth from his presenc
that hour.
When Lena Grove reached home, he
grandfather lay in half conscious state
from which her sobs alone aroused hin
He laid his hand feebly upon her head 9
length, as she knelt beside him.
You love me, Lena, say that you Low
me before l die?' She laid her wet chez
to his, and twined her arms about him.
Do not say you must die she exclaime
piteously 20! what shall we do witho,
you? God have mercy upon US ! she sol
bed, as her grandmother wrung her hanc
and wept.
Il have been good to you always, So
this, Lena Let come aobat ,0iH, say th,
you will never hate me he eimplored earne
tly.
) 90 how can you talk thus, dear gran
e father, you who have been so good, so fait
ful always?'
, Still [ would hear you say it Il
= me that you will not hate me when a
q dead =
I will love you always, always! 81
d sobbed, clinging closer to him.
+ 'Thank God for this wife, he cri
d with sudden energy, 'she must know al
No no J shrieked the weeping wolna
n for The love Of God do not tear her fro
( my arms' She clasped his hand, 81
is looked piteously into his face do n
le leave me all alone when you are gone. I
her love be spared me and with this wi
p appeal she sank trembling to the floor
re For the love of God spare me this S
D. pleaded again and again.
% An expression Of painful irresolution,
ID pity for his wife, passed over his face, a
ps he sunk back exhausted.
a, Many times during the day did she he
her grandmother pleading with him in 10
re anxious whispers, and each time he sho
N his head sadly, and she turned away wes
D. ing.
N Wife, he said at length with sole'
n. earnestness, cannot die with this Weig
~ upon my soul! Lena, come and kiss L
ut and then leave US, for Lady Greyson v
a be here shortly. You will love me alwa
of Lena, you said, and you must love her t
when | am dead pointing to his wi
,e. Promise me this
TO- She gave the promise soiemnly as
k embraced her grandmother, and then kis
by him over and over, ard clung to him, III
no he put her gently away. She passed G
nd and met Lady GreysoR in the passage.
ed dear child, dear child she said af
ca tionately embracing her.
,h- What is this terrible mystery, dear u
- Greyson :" she asked shuddering. Nv
calamity hangs over mel?
W know not, dear child, of any myst
ar concerning you, but take heart, for moth
nut of harm shall reach you that I can ave
eat and with another silent embrace and
he she went in and the door closed behind
for From the opposite room Lena heard t
nld voices increasingly for more than an b
mingled with her grandmother sobs. "