The Hand but Not the Heart; Or, The Life-Trials of Jessie Loring

Loring stepped from the carriage and en

for me?" she said i

been in bed

and I am sorry to have been the cause of i

the servant answered

in the house is kinder or more considerate of us than you; and it's quite as littl

as quickly as possible, for you must

nt, warmly. "She was the queen there, I know?" she a

at the west, where a tall, craggy mountain of vapor towered up to the very zenith. After loosening and laying off some of her garments, Miss Loring, instead of retiring, sat down by the window, and leaning her head upon her hand looked out upon the entrancing scene. She d

almost the vividness of reality. Were her thoughts pleasant ones? We fear not; for every now and then a faint sigh troubled her breast, and parted her to

cold and very distant; and proud I should think. Proud! Ah! has he not cause for pride? I have not looked upon his peer to-night. How that man did persecute me with his attentions! He monopolized me wholly! Perhaps I should be flattered by his attentions-and, perhaps, I was. I know that I was envied. Ah, me! what a pressure there is on my heart! From the moment I first looked into the face of Paul Hendrickson, I have been

amid of white marble, no longer retained its clear, bold outline, but, yielding to aerial currents, had been rent from base to crown, and now its scattered fragments lay in wild confusion along the

ions that came to her, Paul was by her side, his voice filling her ears and echoing in her heart like tones of delicious music. They walked through fragrant meadows, by the side of glittering streams, and amid groves with singing birds on all the blossomy branches. How tenderly he spoke to her!-how reverently he touched with his manly lips her so

he agitation that accompanied Miss Loring's sudden awakening, had sufficiently subsided to leave her mind composed enough to arise and join the family. When sh

before her niece had time to reply, she spoke to her eldest d

" replied Jessie. "I did not get to bed until very

not to have heard that bell! I thought Kitty would never stop the intolerable din. The gi

om Jessie's countenance, were felt as a rebuke. In a few moments the breakfast bell was heard, and the

e seated at the table, and a taste of the fragrant coffee and warm cakes had

ed Jessie in

was t

It was a very

rticular t

n and her da

re?" said Mrs. Loring,

she looked

er seventeen. I am surprised at her mother! How did she behave hersel

of conduct," said Jessie. "She cert

she s

N

d her." Mrs. Loring w

r asked more tha

he ref

es

is said to possess fine musical ability. I have heard that she is a

indeed, dear mother! The very thought of playing before these people, makes my heart tremble.

ne. This crowding of young girls into company, and crowding out grown u

Flore

curled her f

Dex

eo

es

those of her aunt were directe

in your own carriage." There was a vulgar leer in Mrs. Loring'

any attentions?"

e as attentive as

does 'as you cou

face partly away t

eedn't blush so. I only hope you may ge

and firm. "They would have been flattering to most girls. But, I do not always give

ow that you were so much an object of his attentions as your remarks lead me to infer. I know that you will make hi

with a pleading look, at the same time glancing covertly towards h

it is in the least annoying. I was forgetting

evening?" said Jessie's aunt, joining her in the si

quired Jessie, looking i

o make the inferen

attentive-more so, by a g

gned surprise in the voice of Mrs.

l enough; but the man himself

Why, girl! there isn't a handsomer man to be found anywh

nt Phoebe-the real man. The handsome outside is nothing, if the inn

hat her niece looked steadily into her face. "What do you know of the man of the spirit, as you call it?

" replied Jessie, a fine enthusiasm illuminating her beautiful face. "No man can hide fro

, a splendid fortune promises to be poured into your lap, and you draw your garments aside, hesitating

re, Aunt Phoebe?" said Jessie, a

er you, Jessie? Did I say anything about being wearied with your presence? Because I manifest an unusual degree

this morning. Late hours and the excitement of company have made me nervous. As for Mr. Dexter,

Jes

disgust where you hope to create a favorable impression. I have had many oppo

ie p

queried

him the less I like him. He is

o you

eyes the signs that were clear t

e upside down, my, word fo

to be spared, as she felt nervous and excited. So, leaving the sitting room, she retired to her