The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1870-04-14
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THE CLIFF,
By MISS THACKERAY.
CHAPTER XII

CHAPTER XIII
PLASTIC c1RcuMsrAxcr.
Once long afterward, Catharine
speaking of the time before her mar
riage, said to Refine:
| "Ah! Rene, you can not imagine wha
it is to have been afraid, as I have: been
l am ashamed, when l think of m,
cowardice and want of trust; aud We,
[ do not know that if the time were te
come again, I might not be as weak, in
my foolish, wick kcd longing for ia cied
security"
III don't know whether strong peo-
pie are more or less to be pitied than
weak ones, when they are in. perplexl.
ty," Reinc answered, brusquely
"You arc mush mistaken if you thick
l have never been afraid. I tell you,
there has been days when have been
afraid Of Jumping ovcI the cliff into
the sea, like the swine in the Scriptures,
to escape from the tormeuts of the con-
demned. But We take things more at
our case now" SAID Reirc, with sigh.
"Onc would soon die Of it, if ore were
always young. And yet, for the mat
ter Of that,'' she added, glancinx kind.
ly at Catharinc, "you look to ME very
much as you did when l know you
first" And as she spoke Refine sent
her shuttle swiftly whirling, and caught
1t deity, while Josctte, who had grown
up tall and pretty, stood by, scissors in
hand, cutting the string into lengths.
But this was long years alterward,
when Catharino looked back, as at a
dream, to tho vague, and strange, and
unreal time which had preceded her
marriage. There had been quick
confusion, hurry, coming and 60
ing; IL seemed to her like a kaleido-
scope and blending the old accustomed
colors and forms of life into new COM
binations and patterns. Catharine had
watched it all with bewildered indif.
ference. She had taken the step, she
was starting on the journey through
the maze Of the labyrinth, she had not
the heart to 90 back. There had been
long talks and explanations, which
never explained and indccisions
that all tended one way, AMI de-
cided her fate as certainly as the strong-
est resolves. Once she had been on
the point OF breaking everything off;
and, looking back, she seemed to see
herself again-by the seaside, watch.
ing the waves, and telling them that
they should determine; or tetc-o-tete
with Fontaine, silent and embarrassed,
trying to make him understand how
little she had to give in return for all
bis attentive devotion. He would not,
perhaps he could not, understand her
feeling for him. -. Why vas che troub.
ling herself? He looked conscious,
clated, perfectly satisfied i; for Fonta,uc,
like wise man, regarded the outside
aspect Of things, and did not disturb
himself concerning their secret and
more difficult complications. She had
promised to be his wife. She was q
charming person, he required no more;
| he had even declared that for tue pres
ent he would not touch single far:h
ing Of the small yearly sum that be
longed to her. 1t wss to be expended
as heretofore upon the education o
her sisters. In the holidays they wer
to find . home in the chalet. Fontain
felt that be was behaving literally ant
handsomely, and it added to his salts
faction. Madame Merard groaned il
agony over her snuff: box at his infatus
ton. That her son- -ln-law should ma,
~ again, size had always expected
"but never, never, Monsieur Mcrarc
did I think him capable of folly lik
this I" cried the old lady. Monsieu
= Merard, who was an extremely fat an
gvod-Lumored old gentleman, tried I
look as if the matter was not perfect
Indifferent to him. There were br
three things in life that really matte
E ed all the rest must be taken as
4 came this was his experience
Il I. Your coffee should be hot in tn
= morning.
II. You should have at least Fl,
> t-umps between you and your par
ner.
E III. Your washerwoman should n
st be allowed to starch your shirt-colla
into uncomfortable ridges.
<; !; That very day she !: ad sent the
i: home in this horrible condition. Mo
u sieur Merard could not turn his he:
:. withou. suffering. That Fontai,
aI should marry more or less to plea
Madame Mcrard seemed triAc in sui
+ 4. an emergency.
u Dick was the only pcrson-who doul
:: cd the expeaiency Of the propose q
i: rangemcnt, or, at least, who said
m much to !Catharine herself. He fou'
Il . moment to speak to her alone in t
)! hall - >.... ~: . ..: -. .....
81 81 .Forgive me-" he said. II kcow
~ lof all people have the least right