The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-02-09


him, and each had had ample time thor
oughly to learn the other; and, strange to
say, the opinion entertained by each stood
out in bold contradiction to those senti-
ments still cherished regarding the sex re-
presented by the other Just as she had
averred IA years before, so did she still hold
men as unworthy the powder necessary to
kill them-except, indeed, her employer
her dear professor, as she called him; her
rescuer from death, and, therefore, her
friend and protector-to her he must ever
be white raven among men.
And likewise, his opinion of women re-
mained unaltered, except so far as concern
ed his true, faithful Christine Each was
to the other singular and interesting
specimen of the race to whom all the evil
of the world might be justly attributed,
each the shining exception that proved the
General rule. How perfectly had they
learned to know one another in all these
vears, ard with what wonderful instinct
had slss come to understand his every littloe
peedliarity, anticipating and answering his
slightest wish in mannes SO unobtrusive
that his life flowed evenly on day by day
with never disturbing element
/ But of late there had come vague, un-
defnable change over her, a strange rest
lessness and uneasiness; for days he had
watched her and wondered, but at last she
had confded her trouble,
What thoughts and memories stirred the
heart of her companion as he listened to the
simple, pathetic story Was it not just
repetition of the wrong which had marred
his life, the only difference being that he
had bravely lived through it all, while she
but, then, she was only woman-that
explained the difference
A brother, living in the neighborhood of
the city, had, without knowledge or desire
on her part, been enlisting his efforts IN ar
rangements for the future and her welfare;
and despite her mature years, despite her
protestations and remonstrances, insisted
upon nothing less than that she should
marry. A suitable "party" had presented
himself in the person of a widower, some
10 years older, from neighboring town,
the host of public house known as the
"Wild Man" Innumerable letters had
passed to and fro between herself and her
brother, she resolutely protesting against
any such arrangement, holding it as her
duty, she explained simply, to remain with
her dear professor-and then beside she
had her own sentiments and her principles
on such subjects, which had shamed her
even to mention the matter to one who un-
derstood her so well. But the brother
gave her no rest and peace, insisting that
it was her duty to consider her future and
permanent welfare. What if her present
employer should die; would it not be sin
and shame to refuse so advantage an
offer for her hand? The host of "Wild
Man. needed a competent housekeeper, and
she possessed all the desired qualifications
Christine could but acknowledge the truth
and sense of his arguments, and yet-all
her feelings rose in opposition. She had
at last been forced, however, to agree to 60
to her brothers for day, there to meet
the suitor, to discuss the matter, and to
decide it definitely.
All this was confded to the professor,
with downcast eyes and awkward embar
rassment; yet she could not be blind to
the palpable concern with which he listen
ed to the recital it is true he nodded his
head continually to encourage her and even
smiled; but it did not seem to Christine
to be his usual friendly laugh; and she had
not Judged amiss, for no sooner had she
left the room than our philosopher brought
his fist down upon the table with power
full blow, and manifested unusual emotion
by sundry and peculiar exercises.
And now it had all come to pass yester-
day she had really left him, but promised
to return to-day, on the latest evening
train; it was Sunday, and in what mood
he has risen and greeted the sacred day has
been already seen. We left him hoplessly
seated in the sofa corner; but the woman
engaged temporarily to supply the place of
the absent one had finally appeared, bring
ing the desired coffee But what bever-
age He tasted it, and then pushed the
cup from him; ii was uncomfortable. He
soaked a morsel of bread in the thin, pale
fluid, but the combination was no improve
ment
Moodily he seized his favorite pine from
the mantle; it was pleasant to find some
attention had been given his usual comfort,
and this at least had not been neglected,
having been filled with fresh tobacco,
Lighting taper, he applied it to the pipe,
drawing powerful draughts in the effort to
kindle it, but-confound the thing-it
wouldn't draw. Very naturally what did
green, stupid woman know about filling
pipe. 1t was rammed and jammed till
no air could be coaxed or driven through it.
And these were all the vexations of one
single morning. What would it be as the
days came and went in the future? He
seated himself at the table trying hard to
read, but the letters danced before his eyes.
Impatiently lie cast the book down, and
abandoned himself once more to thought
If she should be foolish enough If she
should allow herself to be persuaded to COM
init such consummate folly Itsurely could
scarcely be possible-and-. Why if mar
riage were the only thing necessary-why
why there might have been a similar ar
rangement-but here he sprang up, pacing
the room with long hasty strides-and
mentally he was denouneing himself as a
crack Drained imbecile, What was he.
thinking of; he, with the sentiments re-
garding women and marriage, man of his
age, and his principles
Finding at last no promise of interest or
pleasure in his books for that day, he final
ly strolled forth ostensibly in pursuit of
his scientific studies, to the woods and hills,
but in reality to shorten if possible, the in
terval before Christine's coming.
1t was late in the afternoon when he re-
turned, and his countenance wore strange
expression of pleasurable excitement, min
gled with something indicative of bold re-
solve. He entered the house, and pausing
for nothing, marched straight up to the large
mirror adorning his wall and gravely began
a critical study of his appearance from head
to foot. The examination was evidently
not displeasing, for he was turning away
with satisfied smile, when suddenly his