The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-05-04

it was, even before she had lifted hel
eyes to look into the brave, brown face
Of Dirck Cuyler es.f ..,..s
"How dare you?' 4e cried, advancing
threateningly toward Basil; show dare
you lay hand upon her?"
Basil snatched up the silver-mounted
: riding-whip, lying unnoticed on the
planks at his feet. -..,. ......
"Ah, thank heaven for this p he began
wickedly.
! sPut down your whip" said Dirck
! Cuyler.
A sneer curled the fine red lips of the
other.
"Softly! If you advance one step
nearer will break it upon you. Softly
For boor like you, you have done well.
You have won from me the woman |
love. This pretty Barbara will not we'd
gentleman's son. She chooses you in
stead-you-you''
Put down your whip, I tell you!'
Numbered Dtrck.
You, the base-born son of a mother
by far too frail-'
With single word, seething through
his clinehed teeth, Dirck Cuyler caught
the whip from the others hand. He
struck him one blow full in his pale face.
From the forehead, down the whitening
cheek, a purple welt leaped up under the
fine, singing lash. Then Dirck stepped
back, snapped the whip like a reed, and
tossed it over the railing into the slug
gish river.
snow go!" he said, as if the words
choked him.
Basil turned on his heel. He flung
himself into the saddle. His face was
ghastly, except for the broad welt burn
ing on the cheek A hate unutterablc
had blanched it.
sBefore your bridal dawns," he said,
leaning from the saddle, with a low laugh,
'.this blow will be wiped out. Before
you two are welded, the sun will shine
upon your gravesr' e.
The wooden bridge echoed to the
thunder of flying hoofs. He tore past,
never looking back.
Dirck Cuyler turned. With conyul-
sive movement he drew Barbara to his
side ,-
"Love, let us co." he said, beneath his
breath.
They crossed the bridge-they walked
away up the old stage road together.
Neither spoke, ..,--... ..+ ,..--
1t was a happy New England twilight.
The green valley farms skirted the way
on either side, flushed through all their
fields with the beauty Of June. Scents
of barberry and wild grape vines filled
the roadside thickets Westward one
round star blinked luminously through
the lilac haze. Dirck Cuyler strobe on
rapidly. He had his straw hat off, and
swinging in his hand. His face was set
and hard. His great chest heaved pain
fully with every breath.
Barbara Peale opened a wicket lead
ing up through rows of apple trees to
the porch of red -gabled farm house.
"Come in, Dirck," she said, breaking
silence at last.
He held her back,
sNo, could not talk in there. You
must hear me out here in the free air, or
l shall die"
The gate shook like reed under his
hand. AS she looked into his face then,
she had, perhaps, her first real insight
into the nature of this mana nature
filed with mighty passions, held, like
hounds, in the leash of mightier will.
"You heard what John Basil said, he
began. Il never told you, Barbara !
. could not Great Heaven. l have fought
! so hard to live it down ~
She stood thrusting her slender foot
in its coarse, ill-fitting shoe out and in
! the green network of the long, devices
grass. She did not speak.
"My father-I never knew him, Bar
fbara. He has showered his money upon
me, but always through others. He has
brought me up like gentleman's SON
but-he has never dared to look in my
face. 1t is best, perhaps, that he should
not"
! Dirck Cuyler stared darkly out into
the MINDLESS night.
"My mother" he went on, at last, 81
may speak of her, even to you, Barbara.
She was an angel. She thought herself
wife. The wrong and shame killed
her. Turn your dear eyes from me, lit
tie Barbara. You see how it hurts me
to talk of all this to you"
She laid her hand firmly upon his arm.
| .sDirck," she answered under her
breath; 'dear DirckH'
"HaYe l told you nothing that can
make YOU shrink ashamed from name
like mine, tomorrow he muttered.
I "No, Dirck." :,
He caught her to his breast. He held
her there in long, conyulsive embrace.
His heart beat heavy and hard against
her own. What to them, then,was word
of scorn or idle threat? What the
shadow Of that olden shame which had
been the curse of Dirck Cuyler's life =
Each, in that moment, knew that nothing
under heaven could part them more.
The moon hung balanced on the far
blue rim of the horizon when Dirck turn
ed from the gate.
Tomorrow" she heard him murmur
-"tomorrow you will be mine, Barbara,
forever and ever"
Then the wicket swung into place
The tail, swart figure walked quietly of
through the apple trees. Once only he
turned for a last look. She saw HIM
standing like statue under the night
sky, his face bent yearningly back toward
the gate. Only for an instant A cloud
passed over the low moon. When she
looked again, he was gone.
Barbara crept into the house, A
clock in the kitchen was just striking ten.
No one was to be seen, but Martha Swan,
the "help," who sat over pile OF ashes
on the tiled hearth, waiting to fasten the
doors for the night.
swell, Miss Barba,' she began, 9rum-
bling, ''has Dirck gomez | thought hed
never start. These lowers do beat all,
Here's your candle, child. You'll want
to be up bright and early in the morn
ing, | reckon
. 80, ~, tho ctas:, tO