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

bermaid, opening the door and presenting her plain, but pleasant face.

s it,

handed he

rt of Jessie Loring gave a sudden leap, and t

l be with him i

she received the card, sat down, so overcome by her

little did I expect a visit from him! After our first in

some hurried changes in her dress. She was about l

and she handed another card. Jes

ore inopportune! Jessie fe

ght but firm tread. Dexter stepped quickly forward, giving his hand in the most assured style, and putting both her and himself entirely at ease. She smiled upon him blandly, be

in expression that he felt a chill pervade his feelings. She did not mean to look grave; she did not repress the smiles purposely; there was neither coldness nor repulsion in her heart. But her sentiments touching Mr. Hendrickson were so different from those entertained for Mr. Dexter; and her estimation of his character so widely variant that she could not possibly treat him with the smiling fam

lf?" she remarked, trying to be more familiar, and giving him a look that set his pulses

evening in sober confabulation with Mrs. Denison. I have no doubt she was

h. But his heart was too deeply interested,-and his mood too serious for sport. His smile did not improve the aspect of his countenance;

feeling, moreover, that he was only spoiling pleasant company, Hendrickson, after a

ndrickson," she said, in a tone of voice tha

his penetrating gaze only for a moment and the

upid as I have been this mo

ught you stupid,

he added, abruptly, and turned off without another look into the eyes that were up

d Dexter as Miss Loring

r, very far from that," answ

t call him a ge

t would rob him of the t

been at all in society, can perceive this at a glance. Did you notice how he played with his watch chain; crossed his legs in sitting; took out his pencil case, and moved the slide noisily backwards and forwards; ran his fingers through his hair; exhibited his pocket-handkerchie

Miss Loring's rising anger against the young man, went down and was extinguished in a pleasing consciousnes

r; and I fear that I have permitted myself to experience just a shade of annoyance. If I have seemed ill-natured, pardon me. It is not my nature to find fault, or to criticise. I rather prefer looking u

made the sport of adverse influences, and constrained to act and to appear wholly different from what I d

philosophers; there is quite enough of enjoyment upon the surface of things without diving be

e sounds within and longing to enter. The outer life presents itself to me as moving figures in a sho

osophize; don't speculate; don't think-at least not seriously. Your thinkers are always miserable. Take life as it is

Loring, with a smile, "and must have been a thi

eerful phi

rful, Mr. Dexter?" i

way

transitions of feeling-sudden, unaccountable; as if

ev

ingularly

ung man's voice grew tender as

he inheritance. It is a good gift-blessing both the inheritor and h

pleasant words," said Jessie, "and wondere

swered now,

had at first made Dexter's presence annoying; and as he drew his chair clo

softly, almost dream

cheek-his hand touching her hand. She rema

ken the signs." His hand tightened upon hers. She felt spell-bound. She wished to start up and flee. But she could not. There was a strange,

as sure I had not mistaken the signs.

at now held it with a strong clasp. Yet, how wildly did her heart beat! How tum

e!" said Dexter, his voice full of passion's fine enthusiasm. And h

inst his bosom, and laid his ardent lips to hers. "Bless you, darling! Bless you!

out of herself, and strangely betrayed into consenting silence. She had neithe

nd strength. She raised herself, moved back a little, and looked up into the face of Mr. Dexter. The aspect of her own was not just what the young man had expected to see. He did not look upon a countenance blushing in sweet confusion;

d, Mr. Dexter," she said, a tr

appy to have taken your heart captive. You are none the

o confidently

. But were silent again. Then the young man said, his manner grow

fer, do most solemnly affirm that you are precious to me as life.-Th

her. But her own did not stir from her l

ich had before veiled her voice. "I cannot decide on a thing of such infinite moment, i

tes; but speaks out upon the instant, as yours has alread

I must have time!" said J

rn the scale against him, resolved to

ing the most winning tenderness into his vo

"-murmur

ent," he said, leaning again very near to her. "But, ere we separate

exter!" was the qu

heart given

uttered such words as have

re in mine, dear Jessie! True love is ever ardent, and cannot wait. I must have a sign from you b

ke a strain of music through all her being. She was within the sphere of an irresistible attraction. Her hand f

t I am loved-by this token you are mine-mine forever! Happy, happ

clasping his arm around her, kissed her with all the fervor

captivated him in the beginning. She was endowed with rich mental gifts, as well as personal beauty; and with both, Dexter was charmed even to fascination. Superficial, vain of his person, and self-satisfied from his position, h

rbed, and that she desired to be alone. He saw with concern that her countenance was losing its fine warmth, and that the lustre of her eyes

xter, on rising to depart. Their intercourse had a

ard and kissed her. Passively-almost coldly was the salute received.