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

artment, and falling forward against the bed, sunk down upon her knees and buried her face in a pillow. She did not pray. There was no power

e-capacities for loving-intense yearnings-which had remained hidden until now. The current of her life had hitherto run smoothly in the sunshine, its surface gleaming and in breezy ripples. But the stream had glided from the open meadows and the sunshi

e murmured, as she lifte

lor in her lips-her eyes were leaden-her aspect like on

make out by the servant's description the personality of Mr. Hendrickson, but that of Mr. Dexter was clear enough. She was also informed that the one whose name she could not guess, made only a brief visit, and that Mr. Dexte

"No-no;" was the answer. "Jessie will not dare to do it! She is a strange girl in some things, and

er in the sitting-room. But while she yet listened for the sound of footsteps on the stairs below, her ear

y didn't the girl come and tell me at once? Ain't I her nearest relative-and haven't I always been like an ow

very profound emotion. Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes-half an hour she waited for

leman went away?" asked Mrs. Loring, speaking

, ma

e ther

haven't seen her anyw

impatient curiosity, she went to Jessie's room and knocked at the door. Twice she knocked before t

Loring, "how white you

ng to see you; but had not yet made up my mind to se

ed in and Jessie

asy-chair: "I will sit here," drawing a lower

ng's curiosity had been so long upon the

n to me patient

ner about Jessie that seeme

u will find me

ason, determine what action is right," said Jessie, "y

r," urged

all that had passed in her excited interview with Mr. Dexte

will Mr. Dexter be warranted in regarding either my

he unhesitating re

t Ph

in the voice of Jessie; an

il you, child?"

action of his mind, quickened by an ardent temperament. Self-consciousness was for a time lost, and I moved and acted by the

And so every one will regard you. Mr. Dexter, I am sure, will not admit your inte

o! Knowing, as you do, all that occurred, even to the utmost particulars o

know Mr. Dexter, might suppose him to be an Ogre, or second Blue Bear

ill prove most disas

It is the great event of her life. I do not wonder that you are disturbed-though I am surprised at the nature of this disturbance. Ti

ace, to which not even the faintest tinge of color ha

face against him?

power of resistance, aunt. The

reject his ar

ould

u gave him the sign and the token. Your hands clasped in a covenant of the heart! So he regarded the act.

lence. Her tones were sad. "I am very much excited. All

to the sitting-room,

u must let me

ur mother," said Mrs.

ul?" inquired Jessie

etim

she h

as a beautiful, fascinating young creature, as I remember her, and your father was crazy to get her. But I don't th

al in their tastes,

d your father was in a sad way about it. I thought, of course, he w

ture very much like

er; but not

as bea

reigning belle bef

er. Often had she sat gazing upon the picture which represented to her eyes the form and face of a parent she had never seen; and sought to compre

self, "she could comprehend me. Into her ears I could sp

rl, as the door closed on the retiring form of world

cape?" A slight shudder went through her frame. "Ah, well, well!"-low and mournfully-"It may be that my woman's ideal has been too exalted, and above the standard of real men. Mr. Dexter is handsome; kind-hearted enough, no doubt; moderately well cultivated; rich, elegant in man

n vision penetrating to its farthest recesses. A long fluttering s

eals do haunt the mind! Love! Love! I had imagined something deeper, purer, holier than anything stirring in my heart for Leon Dexter! Was I deceived? Is the poet's song but jingling rhyme?-a pla

eturned from school, and she met them as usual at the table. Her exterior was carefully controlled, so that the only change visible was a slight pallor and a graver aspect. Mrs. Loring scrutinized her countenance closely.