no man is capable of the emotion which Sidney's heart knew. On his side was reality; on hers, reality, and imagination, and passion. She was to sleep where all the Everlyns before had slept for generation after generation. The floor on which she stood once covered ground where her ancestors had battled, now with Saxon, and now with Norman, in defence of British freedom. In times long after, that window out of which she now looked in the clear moonlight over the tree-tops of a trans-atlantic forest, had been a vent for the flames kindled to punish an Everlyn's loyal service of his king. And in still later days how many scenes of intense interest to her, though unchronicled in history-had been transacted within those walls? The night passed, and another, and another. The first thrill was over. She no longer lay awake from mid-night to dawn, thinking of mail-clad knights and dashing cavaliers; every dream was not now crowded with pictures of the olden time; she felt at home in the mansion. Yet her attachment to the ancient structure was not diminished, because it had rational as well as romantic grounds to rest upon. Her daily walks made her realize that the building was not surrounded with the scenery that fancy represented-it did not overlook the broad Severn, nor did the blue crags of Wales frown in the background-but it became only the more endeared to her, when she recognized it in the midst of a landscape so beautiful and wild as that which the eye surveys from the heights of the Hardwater. There was scarcely an hour when she did hastenevery feature glowing with a joy whose like is never seen upon a countenance less radiant and expressive-to inform her father of some new discovery, an object remarkable for its beauty, its picturesque position, or some other equally charming quality. gone to the last, common home. There had always been a tinge of melancholy in his temperament. Hitherto a strong motive existed to arouse him to exertions, which left little time for despondent musings. That stimulus was now removed; the long-desired object was gained; the journey's end was reached. It was not unnatural that his nerves should relax when there was no labor to make them rigid-that his resolute cheerfulness should depart with that which had been its support. Not quite two weeks after their arrival, Sidney, returning from a morning's excursion, exclaimed, "Father' father! what do you think I have found? It is strange that I never noticed it before!-so near the house, too!-I must have been by it a hundred times. But, perhaps, you knew of it all a-long-is it so?" "You must tell me what it is, before I can answer," replied Everlyn, smiling. I am acquainted with a good many things about here, that pretty spring for instance; and, since you have told me of it, the broad moss-covered rock, which, by the way, the mason is now anxious to appropriate as a hearth-stone for one of the quarters" "But you will not let him have it, I am sure," interposed the daughter eagerly. "No, I told him that he must go to you, since the discovery gave the right to dis pose." 66 Ah," replied Sidney, "good Mr. Murphy knows well enough what answer he would get from me, and he has made no application. But, I came to speak of something very different-that great chestnut, with a hollow as capacious as the little octagon chamber above the door-way. The tree stands at the further end of the beautiful natural terrace which you took me to visit the very day we came here." "I have seen the tree," said Everlyn. "Have you indeed, father? well, I susA different effect was produced on Ev-pected that you might. No doubt there erlyn. Instead of sharing her exhilaration, he became thoughtful and depressed. Was it wonderful? Age had laid its hand upon him. His waning strength, the deepening furrows on his brow, and those numberless other silent monitors of decay, told that this loved spot must soon be to him no more than it was to the myriads who had are many other fine objects known to you, which I have not yet observed. But I do not ask you to show them to me. You know that I shall have plenty of time to make researches during the many happy years that are to come. Everlyn here drew a deep breath which sounded very like a sigh. Sidney, without noticing the involuntary expression of pain, continued, "It is a noble tree, and, I am certain, must be an exact copy of that-it was chestnut too, you know, father!-within whose trunk Maurice Everlyn hid himself the night the Roundheads came and burned his dwelling. Dont you remember how the account says that he extended his head from the opening in the tree, and watched the flames from story to story? How he must have felt in gazing upon such a spectacle! Doubtless he was nearly as heartbroken as I should be if anything were to happen now to Everstone." The animated girl added, immediately afterwards, "But if such an event should come, would it not be a comfort, father, to have this great chestnut to fly to? I declare there must be a degree of pleasure in going through such exciting scenes! A sad pleasure, indeed, and I hope we shall never experience it. Yet we can feel a satisfaction in reflecting that even in these peaceful and unromantic days we have something to remind us of the adventures and perils which previous generations have had to encounter. Will it not be delightful for us to pay frequent visits to the noble chestnut, and to remember, beneath its shade, how Everstone was once lost ?" "I could find no enjoyment in such a meditation," said Everlyn. Sidney, with surprise, rejoined, "Why not, father? Though the mansion was lost and nearly destroyed, we know that it was afterwards recovered. Does it not stand this hour as sound and as firm as when Cromwell was unborn ?” "Yes, Sidney; but I am too old to go through the task a second time.” "Sidney, there is too much reason to fear that the hour of trouble will come sooner than that." At a loss for his meaning, but struck by his tone, even more than by the words, Sidney raised her eyes anxiously to his face. Everlyn continued in the same manner, "Within the space of six months-nay, perhaps, of less time-we may have to yield up this place to the possession of strangers.' Sidney's lip uttered not a request for an explanation: she had no need; for that continued fixed gaze appealed to him with an earnestness which it was impossible to resist. "I have purchased this estate, you are aware, Sidney, and paid for it. But it seems that the title is to be contested by an adverse claimant." "But will not this prove a mere threat," said Sidney-" Is there any danger?" "I fear there is." "Did Mr. Astiville know of the defect in the title-and if so, why did he not tell you?" "He did know of it, and he did tell me," responded Everlyn. And still you completed the purchase?" said Sidney. Could you expose so much to hazard?-all your hard earnings, the land, the house?" "It was gross and culpable imprudence, Sidney. I recognize the error now-but it is too late for remedy. To live at Anderport, with the prospect of an annual fever, was out of the question. I saw this spot-noticed its capabilities, and believed that nowhere could a more fitting site be found for our new Everstone. The undulating surface-bold but not precipitous, the wide prospect, the innumerable fountains of clear, perennial water, the salubrious air "And what occasion that you should, father? The legend, indeed, runs that the house is to suffer a perpetual recurrence of disaster, yet it has hitherto been indulged with pretty long intervals between the critical periods. Did not five hundred years elapse between its founder and the cavalier, Maurice? Then, I'm sure it had a good rest after it arrived at Anderport. Sixteen years of adversity passed, and it is here. It must remain secure during our timeso let coming ages look out for themselves." 66 But, according to your own showing, Oh, it is delightful here" interSidney, the spaces of quiet have been rupted Sidney. "In such a home one growing shorter first, five hundred years; could feel it happiness to exist, and even then, less than two hundredfind it less a pang to die." "And these trees, Sidney-they fascinated me more, I think, than anything else. Look at them! Not a park in England can furnish their compeers. And what a variety! How finely the different foliages blend! Mark the contrast in contoursee each tree throw out his branches after his own fashion. They are all grand and majestic-all equally imposing: yet the sweet gum in the vale yonder is not a copy of its neighbor, the sycamore. On the hill the chestnut and the chestnut-oak stand side by side :-emulous rivals they are, not dissimilar in foliage, equally valuable as timber; but see the different instinct which guides the flowing sap of each. The oak towers to the sky, the chestnut swells his trunk and spreads out his horizontal arms over a vast circumference. There are scores of other examples, not less striking, scattered around. And these are no puny shrubs, brought to pine out a sickly existence in unnatural fellowship. They are from Nature's nursery, and show, by the test of centuries, that both soil and climate are congenial to their hardy frames. But this talk is folly. Another winter and every tree we behold may be hacked down and dismembered. I had almost as soon see them shed my own blood with their villanous axes; but the law squares not its decisions by the rule of taste, nor-oftentimes of justice." | perhaps, if Evelyn had received a proper training, he would have been as callous and insensible as the rest of us; yet, since he was not as fortunate, would it be wrong to spare him a little sympathy? We may smile in considering the cause of his distress; but surely it is humanity to compassionate the suffering itself. He had foreseen that he might have to undergo a lawsuit to maintain his purchase. The knowledge, however, gave him little uneasiness so long as his mind was occupied with two prior and stronger ideas—the speedy rebuilding of his patrimonial mansion, and the apparently untarnished honor of the man from whom he bought. As the edifice approached completion, one of these pre-occupant thoughts lost ground. Confidence in his friend still remained, but had not a sufficiently controlling influence to shut out apprehension. Faith and Fear, like Castor and Pollux, held alternate possession. Between the two, the man was wretched. Poor Sidney was even worse off than he. She was made suddenly aware of the overhanging sword without being placed in a situation to examine the texture and strength of the upholding cord. Fortunately, however, her mind had not to brood over this single theme. Since the day when she first appeared to us near Anderport, an important epoch had occurred in her history. She was still, indeed, (to quote Mr. Schrowder's phrase,) in love with bricks;" but she had learned-as it is to be hoped all the rest of the gentle sex will some day learn-that there is another class of objects capable of inspiring a like deep affection. The individual upon whom her fancy had fastened, was not precisely the one who might have been supposed qualified to captivate the heart of the Louisville belle. Perhaps Somers owed his success, in some measure, to the accident of their meeting on the brink of the disfurnished cellar. His unassuming ap Everlyn walked away abruptly. His heart was swelling with emotion, which he dared not tarry to utter, lest he should be tempted into an exhibition of weakness of which he must have been ashamed. Local attachment is far from being an American characteristic; and we cannot easily appreciate the strong grasp which it has upon some natures. Considered in the light of sober reason, it doubtless is very absurd that the human soul should bind itself to anything more earthly than its own corporeal casing. Indeed, but for those curious fibres which are extended over the body, and have the faculty of communica-pearance had caused her at first to underting sensation from the remotest organ to the seat of life, it would require no philosophical fortitude to enable us to slice away one limb after another with as much apathy as the "improved" agriculturist displays when he clears up a grove, or converts the wandering rivulet into the straight-forward ditch. Education effects wonders; and, value him afterwards, a generous sense of justice may have betrayed her into making more than ample amends. But, however we choose to strike the balance between Somers' merit and his good fortune, it must be confessed that he was guilty of no remissness in following up the favorable first impression. Much was accomplished in the steamboat passage down the river, and far more during a six weeks' stay at St Johns. Sidney, remembering what ready sympathy he had manifested in her enthusiastic family pride, did not doubt that a still warmer interest would be excited by the present emergency. She had a hope too that his clear judgment would discern some defect in the premises from which her father's apprehensive temperament had drawn such an alarming inference. At any rate a lover, though he be able to do no good, is a real support and solace. Somers, as soon as his engagements permitted, came. Mr. Everlyn greeted him courteously and kindly, and he had penetration enough to see that Sidney was not displeased. The host insisted upon his remaining over night, as he wished to point out to him some of the various advantages of the purchase. Somers with little show of reluctance consented. Before the sun had quite driven off the dew they rode over a portion of the yet almost untouched three thousand acres, Sidney designating the spots where her arbors and rustic seats were to be placed, while Mr. Everlyn marked the sites of future fences, barns, and cattle-yards. As they returned to the dwelling, the visitor made the most full acknowledgments of the capabilities of the tract, whether regarded in the light of taste or utility. Mr. Everlyn went to give his workmen some directions for their morning's employment. During his absence Sidney remarked, "the prophecy holds its own, Mr. Somers." "Ah, I recollect; Everstone it seems is destined to be a house of unrest. Are you then so soon weary of this beautiful place? What do you pine for city gaieties in midsummer ?" She answered seriously, "I assure you the gloom is not voluntary. The sadness does not arise within, but comes from abroad. I could bow to the infliction if I could take it as the punishment of any unworthy fickleness of mine, but would that I were as clear of all sins as of that of dissatisfaction with my home." Somers perceiving that the subject had not been started merely for the purpose of preventing an hiatus in the conversation, expressed his deep concern, and inquired into the particular grounds of her alarm. "I am not by any means alarmed," she said in a tone which her utmost effort could not make very cheerful. "The only matter is that some three or four northern settlers confidently lay claim to the whole of this land which my father thought he had secured. As law will doubtless league with fate against an Everlyn, I suppose we must tear down these walls-luckily the mortar is yet hardly dry-and bear them to a spot, if such can be can found, where Yankee footsteps never come." "Tell me the names of these claimants." "Messrs. Newlove, Dubosk, and Schrowder-do you not remember them?" Somers was much discomposed. "Is this certain," he said, "can you not be mistaken ?" "What I have told you," said Sidney," is only too real. But do you know anything of the business?" "I fear I do." "Are we then to lose this dear home," rejoined the fair girl with the expression and tone of one pleading for the life of a parent, "oh do not say that I have reason for these distracting fears! What interest can others have in this place compared with ours? Think how much my father has done to change it from a wilderness to what it is now! Remember that he has placed everything here-his life's whole earnings, his patrimony, his heart. What has he done to deserve such an overwhelming calamity? Say, would it not be an outrageous wrong יין "I am sorry, sorry, very sorry," said Somers. "If you have any power," continued Sidney, "Oh do prevent this! I am sure that our right must be the best. Before we came, this spot was nearly worthless; and even now, these northern people, with all that industry and enterprise which is spoken of so often, can make any other piece of land worth as much to them as this-worth more, for all these things which we value would seem to them but incumbrances and eye-sores. We are suited to Everstone, and Everstone is suited to us, why should strangers interfere to make a ruin of both? Can you help us Mr. Somers, can you help us?" The lover knit his brows and looked troubled. "At least you will try to assist us, will you not?" "It is a desperately bad business," said Somers vacantly. "Is it quite hopeless? Are you not able to devise some way of escape." "Escape?" echoed Somers, who was following his own train of thought at the same time that he was apparently listening with the most profound and undivided attention, "escape? yes, I must escape! I can't go through with it, and will not. It is impossible-quite out of the question." Then recollecting himself suddenly, he added: "how did it happen that Mr. Everlyn suffered himself to be so cheated by Astiville ?" "He does not believe that Mr. Astiville made any attempt to deceive him," replied Sidney gravely, "He esteems Mr. Astiville as a gentleman, and as his personal friend." "Does he indeed? Well, I fear your father will find occasion ere long to alter his opinion of that person's character." Sidney was silent for a few moments, and then said, "you have not told me yet what you think of our situation. Must we despair?" "No; it is a duty to hope to the very last." "But is there anything for hope to feed יי? upon "Assuredly," said Somers, assuming a more lively air, "for there is a sad dearth indeed when we cannot find nourishment enough for such an etherial lodger. According to the poets, by the way, hope is not a consumer at all, but is itself an object of food, a sort of capricious manna, abundant at times, and at times greatly in demand. I am certain I have a right to speak from experience. I know, if any one does, what it is. To speed to day, to be put back to-morrow, To feed on hope, to pine on fear and sorrow.' I trust the day may come when the gentle princess in whose service I am, will see how cruel it is to withhold a bounty of such easy bestowment as a single word." "This is not the kind of answer I seck," returned Sidney. "Why will you not tell me at once whether the house which covers us this moment belongs to him who inherited it, or to those immigrants of yesterday?" "It is an important question," said Somers," one's mind ought to be in its most | calm state to consider it fitly. And what is there so tranquillizing as music? Favor me with that tune which was promised last evening." "You forget," answered Sidney," that it was reserved for to-night. It is an evening strain, and would sound inharmonious without the accompaniment of twilight." "Yet give it me now, notwithstanding. A harsh necessity will prevent me from waiting at present even till noon." The The piano was opened, and Sidney, who did not sanction the proposed speedy departure, exerted all her powers. notes stirred by her delicate and impassioned touch, kept the listener spell-bound. So long as she played he could not move. She ceased for an instant. Somers, recovering the faculty of volition, rose; then, without speaking more explicitly upon the subject that had caused at least as much uneasiness to him as to the informant, said farewell in an affectionate and earnest tone, and after a few minutes was riding southwardly across the country. Richard Somers uttered the plain truth when he declared himself to be descended from no illustrious lineage, and he had earned a right to make the avowal without shame. Born in extreme poverty, his own resolute exertions had raised him to a position of usefulness and high respectability. He was a lawyer, and if his profession had not yet brought him wealth, there were few of its members in Redland, or the adjoining counties, who ranked above him for learning and ability. When the three New Yorkers, after their joint purchase of about four thousand acres of land, were informed that their title was to be contested, they thought they could not do better than confide their case to him. more than a year previous, but until Miss Everlyn's declaration he had never been made aware that her father was interested in the matter. The lands about which question was raised were mostly wild and uninclosed; his opinions had been formed merely from the examination of deeds and surveys; and though he might have heard that Mr. Everlyn had bought of John Astiville, he had no reason to suppose that, out of twenty thousand acres, that part had been hit upon which alone was liable to controversy. He determined to see his This was |