The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-08-08
CHAPTER KIN.

CHAPTER XIII.
To Alice Inman the summer had been
dream Of Joy. To the delights OF travel
was added the intoxication that the pres
ence OF the man she loved begot. Harlan,
with more discretion than his impulslve
nature often showed, had, after that night
In London, remained silent regarding his
hopes, but they both knew that they were
In fact, II not by word, betrothed.
There was a peculiar fascination to Har-
Ian about this unavowed bond. He seemed
to have found calm, peaceful. sunny har-
Dor after tempestuous voyage In storm-
swept seas. The gentle womanhood re.
yealed to him during those weeks OF travel
soothed his SOUL taught him that hereto
fore his conception OF human nature had
been narrow and unjust, made him for the
time less selfish, more manly.
Was it strange that for Alice and Harlan
the palaces and temples, the paintings,
sculptures. castellated mountains pictur-
esque rivers. famous cities. historic shrines
Of the Old World took on an added fascina-
ton seen as thew were, through eyes
aglow with love? There is time in life
does it come but once?-when the sun
shines brighter than its wont. when the
incense of the flowers is sweeter than Of
old when all nature seems glorified by the
Joy tliat Is In us. In those days high am
billions come to us, a great future seems to
beclion our soul thrills with the music OF
the Spheres the world becomes q garden
through which we walk with proud bear
ing and bounding heart. Are there dra-
gons to be slainl Let them come. Our
sword Is sharp and our arm is strong.
Arethere serpentS lurking in these flower
Gecked tields2 We fear them not Their
sting is not poisonous to such as we. Are
there pitfalls beyond and dangers manyl
Ha, ha. what care we for that2 A brave
knight and his lady shall walk unframed
where others perish.
To Harlan Otis the sweet companionship
he now enjoyed came at crisis In his life
when he sorely needed an impetus toward
higher ideals. Having passed a mother
less boyhood, his nature had been warped
by lack of that ennobling feminine iniiu-
ence that comes only from a pure, un3el-
fish. loving woman. His associations with
Rhoda Barr had been distinctly injurious
to character easily moulded by exteriors.
mans ego, or self, or whatever else it
may be called, Is always in state Of
transition. Character, like matter is in a
constant process OF change. A man is
either better or worse one day than he was
tine preceding. Unfortunately for the race
what may be called the ethical formation
bears a strong resemblance to a toboggan-
slide. ,-..-.'
Pardon me, gentle reader, for this SEEM
ingly irrelevant disquisition on subject
that should be left to more learned pens
than mine. There was time when d
writer of fiction was permitted by Gus
tom to have little confidential chat with
his readers now and then on almost any
4 topic remotely connected with his story
Those good old days have passed, howev-
or, and now the novelist Is compelled to
let his characters do all the talking. Con-
forming therefore, to contemporary usage
] will subdue my inclination to prose about
ethics. and il you will kindly replace the
ear-pleces to your tympanum, | will tupr
on the phonograph, and you may find ID
Rarianis last conversation with Alice be-
fore they left the ship on their return voy-
age something more entertaining skal
the above observations on the formation Of
character >
They were leaning against the rail and
looking out upon the moon-lit sea. The
steamer had made quick run and the
morning would find her off Sandy Hook
This last evening of the passage was an
ideal summer night. The smiling ocean
seemed to throb with pleasure as the
moonbeams tickled her heaving breast
The air was warm and soft and the voy
ayers happy at the morrow's prospect
laughed and talked and sang, utterly for
getfu how they had suffered the first day
out.
IS Why are you so quietT Alice asked
after a long silence, during which Harlan
had pulled cigarette and gazed dreamilN
out upon the silvery sea.
Because l am happy, l suppose.
have been thinking how changed / an
since crossed this sea before look a
life in such different way"
Yes" she remarked mischievously
"Travel.d does do great deal for one"
He glanced at her searchingly an,
smiled as he caught the CLEAN of playful
ness in her eyes.
You are very beautiful" he remarked
somewhat irrelevantly.
She blushed and half turned away.
"Donb be angry, Alice. Why should
not tell you SO? Hayawe not been fellow
travellers for weeks? Have you been hap
Ply during that time? Tell me?"
Yes" she murmured in low yoic
and playing nervously with the fringe {
her wrap.
Il ann very glad. have tried to b
good."
She laughed at the earnest way In whic
he said this.
mean" he continued, ''that 1 hay
held myself In check, have not worrfe
you with the burning words that came 1
my lips, have not told you what was in m
!, heart, have been"
Yes. yes. ! know" she iptegrupte