The Princeton union., 1880-10-28
as words could have done, .,my will is

/ SSAAN&
1 law
And. 80 it was. Scarcely, in all his
life, had he failed in accomplishing any
object that seemed to his erratic nature
worth pursuit. And should he fail now,
when the prize to be obtained was only a
simple, stubborn girl2 Not he. It was
not SO much for the affection he bore her,
yes even there he had conceived pas
sion which he found it smpossible to
subdue; but she had defed him, Knocked
at him, laughed at him to scorn. His
blood was on fire to revenge the insult.
She should love him yet. Only let him
secure her to himself, only let her be-
come his wife, away from the influence
Of her unfeeling mother, dependent upon
him for society, affection, and all the lit
tie attentions women SO. yearn for and
| need, and he deied fate itself to thwart
him in his triumph.
Adelaide, lost in sorrowful thought,
did not hear the opening of the door, nor
VISA she aware Of his presence until a
band was laid lightly on her shoulder.
She looked up bewildered, and for mo-
ment shrek was nearly bursting from
her lips; but she was a brave girl, and
returned his gaze with one almost
as vivid and burning, until he found
voice to speak. Stran gely agitated was
that strong, determined, fearless MAN of
tho world. He sat down by her side,
taking her resistless hand in his own.
"You have consented?'' he at length
asked. "You will be my wife?'
"Consented-yes! Be your wite-yesw y
Hard and cold indeed was the voice
which uttered these sentious words.
"And you will try to love me?" he
asked.
II cannot-oh, I cannot" she replied;
"you know it is impossible. Oh; why
do you insis upon this dreadful union?
What can ever be to you, I who love
another?" He bit his lip, but did not in
terrupt her. "Could any power bind my
Thoughts? Would they not follow him
forever in his lonely pill grimage? Arc they
not part and parcel of his existences
Think what it would be to live year after
year, for death does not come at ones bid,
ding, the companion of one whose heart,
soul and existence was wrapped in that
of another"
"Stay, stay Adeluide!'' he cried, grasp
ing both her hands. "Have mercy, il
not on me, at least on yourself. Think
what you are dong. You are scorning a
love which, though mine, is pure as ever
woman won-a love I never knew 1 pos
sessed until your beauty dazzled nv SEN
ses. I have been a reckless MAXWELL,
perhaps, a bad man-but you can mold
me to your will; you can form a nature
which is not all depraved into something
worthy of woman's hand"
"And yet cannot love you," she re.
piled
''There is no personal sacrifice I would
not make for your sake,' said he. "There
is no deed of daring would not accom-
plish, if such deed would give you mo-
ment's happiness. I would toll night
andlday for your sake, if need be; watch
over your comfort with the eye Of fond
husband and a jealous lover. I would
love you as a woman never was loved; I
would cherish you as never before wo
man was cherished. Oh, Adelaide, think
what 1t is to cast away such strength OF
acfetion as I offer you!''
Grantly Thornby's s tace was of an ashen
paleness; great drops Of agony stood up
on his brow, and his lip trembled with
the intensity ol his emotions.
IT'S there no hope2'' he asked at
length, finding Adelaide disinclined to
continue the conversation.
"None, alas, noner; she replied.
Thornby passed his hand over his
brow once or twice, as if trying to con-
troll some wild thought. Enough.
enough said he. "No kindness will
win, no devotion move you. You will be
my wife, no earthly power can prevent
that. You will hear no more of love
which has been met with scorn. If YOU
think 1t degrading to be loved by me, ]
cannot help it-I would not help it if ]
could. I have told you I never loved
woman before; my life has been too busy
my thoughts too much absorbed IN the
pursuit OF happiness; but it is past; be
at ease, for it is the last time I ever IN.
trude my unwelcome, my mad passion Of
love upon your notice.
| He wrung her hand, and would have
left the room, but Adelaide detained him
"You say truly" said she; mo earthly
power can prevent my being your wife
l know my duty. You will trust to my
honor, you will feel that however nv
mind may be filled with another image
my life will be pure and sacred to you
as if the union of our hands had been a:
we'll a union of our hearts. You will re.
member :his?''
He pressed her hands and turned quick
ly away. Adelaide caught one glance Of
his face as he left the room, and saw what
she never thought to have seen-the gilt.
tering of tears in his eyes not used tc
melting softness. Her heart panied he,
tor having caused even moments suf-
fering. How mortified he must have
been,' she thought, ''to have been so de.
cldedly rejected"
But how could she help it? She had
looked for no such tender, passionate ap.
peal to her feelings; hitherto his wooings
had been in bitter, burning words words
speaking more of desire to triumph ov.
er her will than her affection She was
beginning to pity him, and pity leads
Onward to love. Had he been no su1toi
tor her hand she would long ago have ad.
mired him. His indom1table power Of
character, his rock-llke determination
his strong unconquerable will, were mer.
its which under other circumstances
could not have failed in striking her wo.
mans eye.
| ~,