The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-09-23

SCfedm WAS sweeping ny
The morning dawned redly over the sea
like river Flat boat and raft and steamer
went along; but no one saw the signals, OF
seeing, no one needed them. Another
weary night, famished and faint, but keep
ing each others courage up; and at noon
of the next day they were taken off. But
in the two days and nights Maskelyn had
learned that she loved him. And when
in turn, she learned that her love was in
vain, it was only by force of arms that he
hindered her from seeking the watery death
from which he had rescued her. The pOol
little passionate tropical creature
He saw her, however, no more for q
month after the time that he left her al
her fathers door in New Orleans, where he
found the black-robed parents, who had
themselves been saved, but who had thought
their child lost, received her as one raised
from the grave, and would have given
Maskelyn their all as her preserver. But
Maskelyn did not present himself there
again; and it was not until his return from
a trip through the neighboring region that
Adele's father was able to find him and to
beseech him to accompany him if he would
save his child second time from death
And he found her on the brink Of madness
Compelled by their kindness and theil
grief, he could do nothing but remain, and
add his efforts to theirs. 1t was superb
home wealth and art and climate could
hardly do more to make it perfect. Per
haps the sense of its ease and luxury were
delicious to the tired and penniless young
man. And then there were always flow
ers, music, painting, servants moving like
shadows cardinal warmth and blessing; and
the lovely young creature whose trouble, in
his presence, was beginning to tighten
All, yes, you see am excusing Maskelyn
trying to make you excuse him. But ii
was all to be foreseen. Three against one
1t was the world against one. For here at
home was an obscure young woman, with
her barely comfortable support; and there,
on the other hand, were beauty, wealth
distinction, and all the promotion and sue
cess that come in the train of such things
But it was none of these that weighed
sufficiently with Maskelyn. 1t twas the one
thought that his own action, his own
thoughtlessness, his imprudence, had stim
ulated the passion that was driving the
pitiful young girl to madhouse. He felt
that the sacrifice of his own dreams OF hap
piness was a trife in his way of expiation
And for me-pray do not smile at the idea
he somehow subtilely felt that he and
were as one; that could only desire and
urge him to absolve himself from any wrong
doing in the affair; that it would be my
wish-as it is my wish-that he should moi
suffer lifelong burden ON his conscience
whether that conscience was morbidly SEN
sitive or not, for the mere sake of our OWL
present content, which never would be con
tent, in fact, while he was restless under an
accusing spirit and was wretched In hli
want of ease.
And so he married Adele.
Perhaps it would have been better had
he written me the story of it, and not have
left me to my imaginings. But he thought
the course kindest to. LIE was to let me
think him villain, and be healed OF my
hurt the sooner. And then, too-you mus
not think ill of me for saying it appear
ed to him so altogether lovely, and to bt
loved, that he could not but believe, cost
him what pang it might, that l shoulo
speedily be happy in the love of one
should hold to be better man.
And from that hour his career began
the career of no commercial traveller, bu
that of the son of rich and powerful
house, put forward for fresh honors all tht
time, now governor, now senator, and wher
the war came, unwilling to take arms against
either his native North or his adopted
South. going with the others to the villa
on the Mediterranean, where life was {
long dream of idleness and ease. He wa'
a good husband, [ am glad to know. He
never allowed himself to feel that Adele
had done him an injury; he forced himself
always to look at the other side, and value
the advantages he received through connec
ton with her father She was gentle
little being, always beautiful, never alto
gether perfectly strong in mind or will
again, but lived and breathed through hin
for twenty-five years. He could be proue
of her, in certain way, at Southern
springs, in congressional life, as they wen
through Europe her exquisite grace, he
dark, large-eyed loveliness, the simplicit.
of her always perfect ladyhood, if one may
use the word, were things always to admire
and crowds followed her. He also admired
her; he had tender care for her, gentle
attachment to her, and if he never loveC
her she never knew he did not. Sh'
hardly remembered that he had ever haC
his poor pale passion in the North. Sh'
died at last, thinking of him as only he
own, and thanking him for the bliss he hat
given her in his long faithfulness. Blu
his poor pale passion had become an idea
thing to him, sort Of pole star rount
which his soul revolved SO entirely as t.
be automatic and unconscious in its motion
He did not actively and all the time re
member it, but it helped to shape his course
and it was always there.
And at last, then, Maskelyn was his owl
master once more. But of me in his free
dom it did not occur to him to think as al
actual possibility in flesh and blood. HI
had never heard of me; he had never daret
to ask for me; he took it for granted that
was long since another mans wife. Ant
when, after some years more, in mannel
unawares to himself, the memory began t.
work in his heart, he came to the old town
again as pilgrim visits a shrine and with
out dream of finding me.
And in all these years, after the first on'
of unbearable suffering, | had staid ther'
in my home, doing the duty that came frs
to hand, both since it was duty and sine
it might prevent my pain. And the pail
had passed at length, had left only sore
ness and sorrow, had become subimated
as it were, into something | would not los
for all its pang. One by one, father ano
mother, brother and sister, had left me; bu
I still dwelt in the sweet old house, and sa
of summer evenings on the porch anon:
the honeysuekles.
At first I had thought | could neve
L IL Let