Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-02-04

81 DO not know tnat i Dlamc htr, ho
said, at last. "The truth Is. Grey.
Thyrza and are too unlike. | Am no
mate for her. She is gay, bright and
airy. full of sudden sparklss and flashes,
that dazzle and bswiteh me out OF my
scnses. But cannot follow her. can
not keep paco with her flights. lcanno.
halt comprehend her. There is somo-
thing in her life which my life cannot
grasp. And then she looks st me with q
vague, rsproachIul wonder in her eyes,
which is toomuch for my philosophy
She is q sky lark. and 3 ciod."
"But admitting your comparison Tor q
moment said, "skylsrks build their
nests upon the solid ground. Did IL ever
occur 10 you that your hardy. rugged
strength might DO more TO Thyrza Har-
rington than all the brillian; parts, all the
merely aesthetic cultivation, in tho
sorld7 Besides, thsre is q certain sort Of
neutrality-suspicious. 1t comes by intui-
ton or otherwise. that women gain earli-
W than men,"
Hal shook his head.
"All very well in the abstract" he re-
marked, but, you see, il does not touch
this case. What is nun 10 do when hc
sees that the woman who has promised
to marty him ieels deficiencies In him,
aud whom he knows that his failure to
meet tho wants OF her nature. and 10
give full sympathetic recognition TO what
she regards as bcst and highest In her.
self. is constant trouble TO herp Toll
mo lhat."
was silent. trying TO think what |
should say-what il was best TO say.
Presently. his hand foil heavily upon my
knee.
Tell me one thing more" he added,
in low. intense voice. what is one
10 do when he believes, even IL he does
not know OF Il surety, that there Is man
in tho world--iu her world. too-who
could be To the woman he loves all he
has failed 10 be? What should he do in
such case ?"
"Halr
IL believe just that, Grey. | have be-
lieved il for six months. Pleasant state
of things. isnt it?"
Now that you have said that much,
you must say more" answered. What
do you mean by these strange words" I"
"IIavs you seen Fayettc Blackmann
since no came back from Heidolburg?"
Never. Haven't had glimpse oil
him"
That is because you were away 30
much for months before wo enlisted. He
was in Hilltop half The time"
"Ho used TO be II good enough sort OF
/ fellow before he went abroad" said /;
hope they have not spoiled him over
there. Bot it is not he you are talking
about?'
"It is. though" he answered. his face
dni kening. "But | tell you what il is,
Grey, | will not do the man injustice.
lie i. just the one to charm the fancy OF
a girl like Thyrza. lie Is all that Am
not-all that she wishes | was. He is
interested in all the things that interest
her-in poetry, music. aud everything
that am such u dolt about. He can
lead her where / only follow afar of 4;
and with Nil his careless grace Of man.
ner, his easy flow OF talk, feel like n
great clumsy idiot beside him."
"Fayott Blaekmann may be Adonis
and Apollo and Mercury all in one. for
aught know" replied: 81 will not
dispute you. But it does not follow that
you have any occasion for jealousy"
Ny words stung him. anil ho sprang
up from the log on which be was sitting.
Jealousy !" he cried. "Am jealous |"
Do you look at il in that wayP Jealous ~
"But what else is il P" asked. "Look
here Hal. Do you think that because a
woman is cngaged-or married, even
she must become mt once blind and deaf ?
can understand how cultivated wo-
man may enjoy the society Of cultivated
man. and yet not have the slightest idea
of falling in love with him."
spoke with some heat, for ! had nj.
ways liked Thyrzs Harrington.
He turned white Us sheet.
"Ysu do not comprehend" he said,
with certain quiet dignity. "I AM
casting no aspersions upon Thyrzs. 1t
is not easy for man to say what have
said to. night; and you may have mis-
understood the wsrds wrung from me by
pride and passion. do not think she is
even aware how this man has como in
bet ween her aud me. But / see II; and
what am 10 do about itp Am l to sit
still, like a craven. and let her drilt help
lcssly into my arms, when / believe she
would be happier in the arms Of anothsrs
What am | 10 do about it, GreyP"
"For Gods sake. do nothing rash !" l
exclaimed. drawing him out into the
road. where the few remaining rays Of
daylight fell upon his face. al do be
lieye you are mistaken, Hal. For Gods
sake. aud for your souls sake, do moth
ing rashw
al will not act hastily; and will try
to do what seems TO be right" he said.
putting his arm over my shoulder. but
Life plays at cross purposes with US.