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

of Mrs. Denison before he found himself in one of Mrs. Lor

stairs. She came down slowly, and as she entered the room, Hendrickson was struck wit

Loring?" he asked, stepp

rm, and his tones

faintly as

. I have a bli

led her to a sofa, and sat down by her side. He would have retained the han

so unusual for him, that Miss Loring lifted her eyes, which had fall

word that you were n

ly upon her face, into which c

led to utter more than maidenly modesty approved, averted her face suddenly, and seemed confused. There followed a m

admission of more than I had exp

ad touched an electric wire.

s Lo

e. Motionless sat the young maiden, her face still partly turned away. Suddenly, and wit

iss Loring! From the hour I first looked into your fa

tence, Jessie had flung his han

s Lo

nce of Miss Loring was of an ashen hue; her lips, almost as pallid as her cheeks, stood

made me bold to utter what had else slept in

wildly. Her voice had in it a wail of suffering th

her feelings. He saw the struggle, and awaited the result. A b

e?" said the young man. His

oarse voice. "The cup is dashed to pieces

words!" exclaimed Hendrickson, r

a pace or two rep

te! Too

the now almost desperate lover

m him she answered

am already pled

! Oh, light

it was too late! And now leave me. Go seek another to walk

oring! This is only a terrible

n a bewildered manner. "No-no-no." Almost despairingly the words came from her lips. "It is no dream, Paul

hands and trying to take one of hers; but she put both

arsh word, Mr. Hendrickso

had acquir

that added to the heavy burden I seem doomed to bear. But ere I go, I would fain

ioned mann

e level plain under the pressure of this sudden storm. You have told me it was too late

ickson; but bewar

s morning, would you hav

did not reply immediately, but seemed pon

terview pass from your memory. If you are wise, you will forget it. Be just to me, sir. If I have betrayed the existence of any feeling

er. Her small head was erect; her slight body drawn to its fu

rm it to the letter. And now, sir, spare me from this moment. And when

ickson. He was not able to rally himself. He could not

ust lie between us! I go at your bidding," and he moved towards the door. "Farewell, Miss

d, suddenly raising her hand to his lips, and kissing it with