Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-03-31


to New York without making any at
tempt to see or communicate with Poca-
hontas again. He had considered the
situation earnestly, and decided that it
would be his wisest course. Like
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 a 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 time, and what would
follow? The outside pressure, the i'm
mediate need Of concentrated effort re-
moved, there would inevitably ensue Il
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 it's strength
| for the field; external conflict suspend
ed, internal strife would commence,
fierce, cruel and relentless as interpecine
| 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 a mothers insight
and could read between the lines: she
did not harass her daughter with many
words, even of approval, or with ques-
lions; she simply drew the sweet, young
face down to her bosom a 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
r passed, Thorne's proposal was not sur
prise, and to them the girls answer wa:
foregone conclusion. Poor child! the
brother thought impatiently, the mother
wistfully, 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 tive
families We're thrown together more anC
more intimately. Blanche's engage
ment and Warmers inceased Hines
served to break down all restraints. AL
through the winter the boy had steadil!
lost ground, and as the spring progressed
instead of rallying as they hoped, his de
8 slime became more rapid. The best ad
vice was had, but science could onl
bear the announcement of bereavement
there was nothing to be done, the doc
tors said, save to alleviate pain and lie
the end come peacefully; it was needles
to worry the boy with change or boot
r less experiments Even to the mother
% wihfully blinded eyes and falsely fe
hopes conviction came at last that he
sons days were numbered.
, Berkeley, Royal and other of tn
neighboring gentlemen took turns in aid
ing with the nursing and the nigh
watches, as is the custom in souther
, country neighborhoods where profe'
" sional nurses are unknown.
OF all the kindly friends that watche
and tended him through long weeks {
illness the one that Warner learned I
love the best was Berkeley Mason. Thel
was a thoughtful strength in the natul
Of the man who had suffered, the soldit
who had endured, which the weakt
nature recognized and rested on. To til
General during this time of trouble I'll
young man became, in very truth, sol
- the old debt OF kindness was cancele
and new account opened with chang
in the balance.
AS is usual in cases of lingering col
sumption, the end was very sudden
sudden, in fact, that Norma, still ava
with her northern friends, received I'll
telegram too late for word or look I
farewell kiss She was travelling wit
Mrs. Vincent and the message follows
kher erom nlaca to nlanA