Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-06-02

IL only the scruple would die. If only
the old influences would lose their hold:
if she only could see this thing rs the
world saw it. Was she made different
4 from others, that her life should be
nodded on other liaes than their lives?
God above! Why should she suffer and
make Tnorne suffer.
Her mother, Berkeley, the dead broth
er whom she had exalted into hero.
\ the memory Of the brave men and noble
women from whom she had sprung, the
old traditions, the old associations rose
/ in her excited fancy and arrayed them
selves on one side. Against them in
serried ranks came compassion, all the
impulses of true womanhool toward self
sacrifice and love.
The loneliness of the crowded hotel
oppressed her; the consciousness of the
life that environed but did not touch her
gave birth TO yearning 10 get away
from il all--out into the SUNSHINE. and
the sweet air. and the warmth and com
fort of nature. II she could get away
into some still, leafy place she conld
think.
Hastily arraying herself, she left her
chamber and descended the broad stair
way. She passed through the hall and
out into the sunshine Of the busy street;
and Jim, who, unseen by her. was stand
ing in the clerks Office, turned and
looked after her. A troubled expression.
like the shadow of a cloud, passed over
his face. and he followed her silently.
In the street it was better. There were
people. little children. a sense of life.
sense Of humanity, and over all. around
all, the warm sunlight. Comfort and
help abounded A woman, weighed
down with heavy burden. paused, be-
wildered. in the middle of q crossing
man helped her; child stood crying on
a doorstep-a larger child soothed it: an
ownerleSs dog looked pitifully into
woman's face-she stopped and strolSed
its mead with her ungloved hand. The
longing for the isolation of nature slow
ly gave place to a recognition of the
community of nature.
A quiet street branched off from the
crowded thoroughfare. Pocahontas
turned into it and walked on. The roar
of traffic deadened as she left it farther
and farther behind; the passers became
fewer. 1t was the forenoon and the |
people were at work; the houses rose |
tai on either hand; the street was still |
and almost deserted.
A man passed with barrow of flow |
ers-roses, geraniums, jasmine; their |
breath made the air fragrant. In a /
stately old church near by some one was
playing solemn, measured movement |
Pocahontss turned aside aud entered. /
The place was still and hushed; the /
light dim and beautiful with color: on
the altar. tapers burned before the
mother and child: everywhere there was
a faint odor of incense.
Pocahontas wandered softly here and
there, soothed by the peace. comforted
by the music. On one side there was a
small chapel. built by piety in memory
Of death. Pocahoutas entered it. Here,
too, lights burned upon the altar, she'd
ding soft, golden radiance that was
caught and reflected by the silver candle
sticks and the gold and crystal Of the
vases. On the steps of the altar was a
great basket of roses, and through a
window streamed the sunlight.
casting on the tessellated pavement a
royal wealth of color, blue and gold and
against the dark walls marble
tablets CLEANED whitley. Near one of
them, tiny shield, man stood with
his head bent and his shoulder resting
against a carved oak column-Nesbit
Thorne, and the tablet bore the inscrip-
lion. ALLEN Tborne. obiit Jan. l4th, IS.
stat years"
Pocahontas drew back, her breath
coming in short gasps; the movement of
he music quickened, grew stronger,
iercer, with crash of chords. Thorne
lid not move. his head was bent, his
profile toward her; about his pose, his
whole form, was look of desolation.
His face was stern, its outlines sharp, its
expression that of man who had had
lard measure melted out To him, and
who knew it, and mutinied against the
lecree. He did not see her, he was not
Of her presence. and the
knowledge that it was 50 sent a pang
Z