New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-02-03
AGAINST HUMAN NATURE.
BY MARIA LOUISE POOL.
Copyright: 1895 BY ne Tribune A"oeiat'on.


what difficult for Mercer to maintain his impas-
sive attitude He quite recognized that II was
necessary to be mpassive He was so masculine
i had almost said so bndly masculine-that ne
believed everything she said Of herself III was
indeed evident that she was sincere: but sincere
person does not always know what the truth Is
Temple put her hand up to her head; she ran
her fingers through her hair She did not piush
as why should she? 1t was only an offer or part
nership to which she had listened.
ooh. dear.' she exclaimed at last. I'm so con-
fused want to think about wha, you have pro-
posed"
And then she remembered that she had said
something like that not many hours ago to Link
Dalvecker.
These two experiences coming in the
Ing when no one had ever spoken in this way to
her in all her life before Gor with her young
Boynton did not COUNT affected her with an ire
sistible sense OF the ludicrous. She was too much
excited to control a sem-hy sterical laugh, and it
burst forth
MERGERS face became red. He drew himself up
stifiy. He reached for his hat. which he had
placed the table.
II beg your pardon" he said 1T does not
seem TO me matter to excite laughter"
Temple stopped laughing instantly and became
very grave.
IT hope you'll forgive me-" she said humbly.
81 don't know what made me laugh. l reckon l
must be tired
There was so much genuine humility in her
voice and manner that one must necessarily for
give her directly.
Mercer stood with his hat in his hand.
II will see you again in day or two" he said
now able to speak if in reference to business
arrangement land you can give me your answer
to tn haar IN
mind what have said about the wider field of
labor which you would have as my wife. You
would go with me-you would help in the meet
ings; YOU could work acceptably, / am sure.
Goodnight"
Temple said Good night in response. She
went to the door and saw the man mount his
horse and ride away. She w4s so tense with
the accumulated excitement Of the day and
evening that she mistook that tenseness for
strength. Strong nerved and full OF health as
she was, she did not understand that her en-
element and her fatigue might now make 1t
impossible for her TO think Of any subject in
just proportion to all phases Of it.
She had returned TO the fire and was standing
before it, thinking that after all, she was not
tired in the least and that it was late
that she need not go to bed that night. when
the door leading into the next room opened and
shawl wrapped about her; her bare feet were
thrust into her boots, whose heels clicked
the boards as she came forward with air
of being ready TO fly backwards on the instant.
There amt no man here now. is there?' she
asked.
"Oh, no."
And you amt expectin' more Of 'em?'
"Oh, no."
Then l do wish you'd jest shut that outside
door l amt hardly seen it shut sence I've
been here. N l want to set down by the fire
e minute. / can't sleep I'm jes s nervous 8
en- be. 1t always did make me nervous TO go
to a revival meetn'. But wouldn't miss one
for anything in the world.
Temple closed the door. She came back and
wrapped Miss Drowdy's shawl carefully about
the thin, shivering shoulders. The Yankee
woman was painfully conscious that she was
not yet herself that she hadn't got her bear
ipgs" since she had come to Carolina.
1t was her like being in another world. Her
ehrewd sense had not had time to assert itself.
And to live in a house where the outside door
was never shut! And where there was no up
stairs! She was trying to wait patiently until
her senses should come back TO her. She had
written home to her sister in Hoyt that she APP
peared to be unidentified since she came to
Limestone Township; but then. she had added.
maybe I've always Deen unuerWitteu, only
hadn't found 1t out"
It IL not soothing to a PERSONS self-conscious-
ness to make such a discovery
II thought I saw a man riding down the
SLOPE" said Miss Drowdy
Twas the minister" said the girl.
Almina felt more unidentified than ever She
gazed at Temple to IL she could detect any
sign that it was an unusual thing for a min
lister to make midnight call on young lady.
But she could see no such sign.
"Aint it-ain't 1t ruther rate for calls?"
Almina put the inquiry feeby. She did not
know what was the proper point Of view.
81 don't know what time 1t Is" replied Temple
carelessly
IT'S Roin' on l o'clock" was the solemn
sponse
"Oh, Is it," still more carelessly.
Eyes 1t is. And it don't seem proper to me,
exacty"-- began Amna. But she paused, for
Temple was not a girl Il whom to talk concern
ing conventions and propreties
II spose he come about your SOUL" finished
Almina.
1t would certainly be proper to come at any
time about ones SOUL
Temple was sitting on the hearth opposite her
guest. She had he; hands casped over her
head She was thinking that she was glad Miss
Drowdy with her. She in the mood to
consult her. She particularly liked TO get peo-
pies ideas. and then do exactly as she pleased
She had way of asking persons opinion as If
the opinion would have weight with her-and
sometimes 1t did have weight. for few hours.
You see I'm all alone" she began, "for Sally
couldn't advise me. Mr.. Mercer told me he
thought could do a great deal OF good II /
married him. and helped him In his work. And
before that. Link Dalvecker. you know-or don't
you know?-thought could be sure to save his
soul II married him. Sc you see
Up to this point the girl had been deeply seri-
Gus. but now her sense Of humor suddenly came
uppermost again and she began to laugh ex-
~tfadly