Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-05-12

proposal aud her rejection Of IL.
The next day Thorne quietly returned
to New York without making any at
hontas again. He had considered the
situation earnestly, and decided that it
would be his wisest course. Like a
skilled general, he recognized the value
of delay. Failing to carry the citadel by
assault he resorted to strategy. In the
girls love for him he possessed a power
full ally. There was traitor in the camp
of his adversary, and sooner or later it
would be betrayed into his hands; OF
this he was convinced, and the convic-
ton fortified him to trust to the result
of time.
Pride and principle were in arms now.
holding love in check, but it would not
be so always; soon her woman's heart
would speak, would WELD an influence
more powerful and resistless from the
concentration engendered by repression.
Now, too, she was braced by the excite
ment of personal resistance; she was
measuring her will with his will, her
strength with his strength. Let him
withdraw for a time, and what would
follow? The outside pressure, the inn
mediate need of concentrated effort re-
moved. there would inevitably ensue
state of collapse; purpose and prejudice
would sink exhausted, the strain on the
will relax, the weapons fall from the
nerveless hands. Then the heart would
rally its forces, would collect its strength
for the field; external conflict suspend
ed, internal strife would commence,
fierce, cruel and relentless as internecine
struggles ever are. Was there any doubt
of the result of the battle? 1t only need
ed time. Time, quietude and earnest
thought, free from the disturbing. stimu-
lating power of his presence.
He could wait; every affection of her
loving, constant heart, every fiber of her
self sacrificing nature would fight for
him: prejudices, even the most deeply
rooted, must yield in time to love.
When he should come again it would be
to claim his victory.
No thought of abandoning the pursuit
crossed his brain; no impulse of ruth
stirred his heart. Did she suffer? So
did he-keenly, cruelty. Let her end
this torture for them both; let her lay
aside these senseless scruples and place
her hand in his. His arms were open to
her. his heart yearning for her; let her
come and anchor in the sure haven of
his love.
Pocahontas told her mother very
quietly of Thorne's visit, his proposal
and her rejection of it; just the bare
facts, without comment or elaboration.
But Mrs. Mason had mothers insight
and could read between the lines; she
did not harass her daughter with many
words, even of approval, or with ques-
tons; she simply drew the sweet, young
face down to her bosom moment and |
held it there with tender kisses. Nor |
did Berkeley, to whom his mother com
municated the fact, volunteer any com
ment TO his sister. After what had |
passed, Thorne's proposal was not q sur
prise, and to them the girls answer was
a foregone conclusion. Poor child the /
brother thought impatiently, the mother
how much bitterness would |
have been spared her could she only have
loved Jim Byrd.
During the weeks that followed |
Thorne's second return north the two
families were thrown together more and
more intimately. Blanche's engage
ment and Warmers increased illness
served to break down all restraints. All
through the winter the boy had steadily
ost ground, and as the spring progressed.
instead of rallying as they hoped, his de.
Zine became more rapid. The best adj
vice was had. but science could only
pear the announcement Of bereavement;
here was nothing to be done, the doc
ors said. save 20 alleviate pain and let
he end come peacefully; twas needless
o worry the boy with change or boot
ess experiments. Even to the mothers
blinded eyes and falsely fed