Year: 1867

THE WESTVELT MANSION.


Elinor Westvelt had, unfortunately for herself,
lost both parents at an early age. Brothers and
sisters she had never had, so that this early loss
left her comparatively alone. Her uncle Edward,
in accordance with the provisions of her father S
will, assumed the guardianship of his niece, and
became an inmate of his brothers mansion and
director of his estate, which was large one, tor
Elinor was the wealthiest heiress in that part.of
the country As for her uncle, previous to assum-
ing the charge of his niece, it was surmlsed that ne
had made way with pretty much all the property
he had ever possessed, and, no doubt, he found it
exceedingly convenient to find himself provided
with an elegant home, servants, and the charge OF
a large estate, without expense to himself. He
was, by the WILL to retain this charge of his niece
and her estate until she should attain the age of
twenty-five, unless she should marry in the mean
time.


They were accustomed, as has already been init
mated, to spend part Of the year in New York.
where Elinor went freely into society. During the
occupation of the city, she had met many Of the
British officers whose admiration had been excited
by her unusual beauty. This, however, was not
perhaps her chief attraction. She possessed GER
tain rankness of manner and sincerity OF utterance
which compared very favorably with the artificial
style of conversation then, as now, prevalent among
certain class who are devoted followers OF fashion,
and have been trained from a very early period to
mask their true selves beneath glittering exterior
of frivoty and fashionable insipidity. 1t was be-
cause Elinor possessed character that she proved
so attractive.


Among those whom she encountered and who
indicated by their manner how much they had be-
come interested in our heroine was Major Amory.
Einor, with the quick penetration of woman un-
derstood the meaning of his attentions, and though
she had before treated him in the same frank man
ner as every one ese she at changed to great
er reserve, and slight but perceptible coldness
signfed to him that his attentions were not accep-
table nor desired This, with man Of genuine
delicacy of feeling, would have been sufficient but
it only piqued the pride and stimulated the pur-
suit of Major Amory. Perceiving this, Elinor be-
came still more cold, and succeeded in eluding the
attempts of the Englishman to obtain an opportu-
nity for declaration of his sentiments.
Major Amory chafed in secret at this indirect re-
pulse, and determined that, though postponed, the
declaration should be made at length. Before he
had succeeded in obtaining speech with either
guardian or ward, they suddenly broke up their
residence in New York, the warm weather being
close upon them, and withdrew to their residence
in the country.


Thither Major Amory followed them as soon as
he could obtain leave of absence. thing which he
foundnot altogether difficult, as just at that time
there seemed to be lull in the operations Of the
two armies General Washington was encamped
northery of the city near the banks of the Hudson,
while Sir Henry Clinton commanded the British
forces.


We have thus accounted for the visit'of Major
Amory at this time. 1t is necessary perhaps to
enter little into the reasons which made the con-
templated proposals of the English officer distaste
} full to our heroine.


II Possibly, under no circumstances would his ad
!, dresses have proved acceptable, but at present