Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-04-04

 no impression on her.
 Possessed by her idea sand intent on securing an opportunity for uninterrupt- ed conversation, she asked Jim to take a walk with her. She had some calls to make, she said, and they would walk through the park. At this season the park was very beautiful and she should like to show it to him; New Workers were very proud of it. Blanche knew that she was doing an unconventional thing; but she had observed, rather won deringly, the frank helpfulness with which southerners would identify them selves with one another's affairs, and she felt sure that in speaking to Jim she ran little risk of rebuff. Jim had known the Masons always, was of their blood; to put his shoulder to their wheel would seem to him the right and natural thing to do. Therefore Blanche made her re- quest with confidence and Jim, who had never in his life questioned 8 woman's right to his time and attention, went with her willingly.
 They sauntered about for time and Jim admired all the beauties that were pointed out to him, and showing his country training by pointing out in his turn subtler beauties which escaped her; the delicate shading of bark and leaf bud, the blending of the colors of the soil, the way the shadows fell, the thou sand and one things an artist or man reared in the woods and fields is quick to see if he has eyes in his head. He pointed out to her Q nest pair of birds were building, and called her attention to tiny squirrel, with plumelike tail, jumping about among the branches over head. He told her stories of the tropics, too, and of the strange, picturesque life in the land of the Montezumas, and made himself pleasant in cheery, companion able way that was very winning. He was pleased with Blanche, and thought that his old friend had done we'll for himself in securing the love of the sweet faced maiden at his side. He liked talk ing to her, and walking beside her in the sunshine; he decided that "Berke was a deuced lucky fellow, and had fallen on his feet" and he was glad of it.
 After awhile they turned into an un- frequented walk and Blanche seized her opportunity. She made Jim sit down on bench under an old elm tree and seated herself beside him. Then, insen- sibly and deftly, she turned the talk to Virginia. She spoke of his old home, and praised its beauty, and told him how love for it had grown up in her heart, although she was a stranger; she spoke of the cordial, friendly people, and of the kindness they had extended to her family; of Warner, his illness, death and burial beside poor Temple Mason. Then she glided on to Poca- hontas, and spoke of her friend with en- thusiasm, almost with reverence; then. seeing that his interest was aroused, she told him as simply and concisely as she could the story of her cousins love for Pocahontas and the position in which the affair now stood.
 "I know that she loves him. Blanche said quietly, "loves him as he loves her, and that she is breaking her own heart, as well as his, by this hesitation. It seems to me so wrong. What is a scruple compared to the happiness of & life? The child is dead, all connection between Nesbit and that heartless woman is severed forever She is no more to him than she is to you, or to Berkeley. I think that Pocahontas would give way but for Berkeley, for
 
 some one ought to speak to Berkeley, to make him see how wrong he is, how hard, how almost cruel. have spoken, but I'm of Nesbit's blood, on Nesbit's side, and my words haven't the weight that words would have coming from 8 person who is outside of it all, and vet who belongs to them. If you would speak, MT. Byrd, think it would do good. Berkeley would listen to you, and would come to look at this matter in its true light. Pocahontas is break ing her heart and Nesbit's heart, and she ought not to be let do it." There were tears in Blanche's eyes and in her voice as she spoke, and she laid one small hand on Jim's arm appealingly.
 Jim never moved; he sat like man carved out of stone and listened. He knew that Pocahontas had never loved him as he had wanted her to love him; but the knowledge that her love was given to another man, was bitter. He said no word, only listened with jeal- ous hatred of the man who had SUD- planted him growing in his breast.
 Blanche looked at him with fearful eyes and quivering lips; his gaze was on the ground; his face wore, to her, an absent, almost apathetic look. She was disappointed. She had expected she did not know exactly what, but certainly more sympathy, more response. She thought that his heart must be less noble than his face, and she regretted having given him her confidence and solicited his aid. When they got back to the Evenue she released him from further attendance a trifie coldly. She would make her calls alone, she said, it might be irksome to him; probably he had other engagements. He had. been very good to sacrifice so much of his time to her; she would not detain him longer.
 Jim went back to the path and sat down again, not noticing her change of manner, and only conscious of the relief of being free from the necessity of talk