The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-01-08

ing MT the series OF lurld pictures
thrown on at white heat by this grand
impressionist, fired with indignation
at the slow, sad years ofiujustice and
tyranny.
Jerome spent nearly every evening
with me, and / was fully questioned as
to my progress. Alas disgraceful
pluck too often awaited me. / had
seldom made out my four hours of
practice, owing to callers, engage
ments with dressmakers, or head
aches. The last / began to have in
plenty. And the French Revolution !
could not grasp the situation, or IN
derstand two consecutive sentences
and was helpless to make out in the
least what all those people who seemed
- TERRIBLY in earnest were trying to
do.
That ponderous work was accord.
ingly replaced by David Copper
field" which / should have heartily
enjoyed had | not felt that I was re-
garded by Jerome in the light of
another Dora Spenlow. had an un-
DERIVING conviction that the story was
given to me that | might see how
small and insignificant n poor little
bralnless woman can be In the eyes OF
bright, intellectual man. As l look
back on that strange year of my
youth, which was veritable storm
and stress period, I marvel at my
blindness and complete inlatuation.
My will was entirely merged into that
of jerome. His calm assumption and
quiet firmness in laying down rules
for me were like the commands laid on
the hapless Six Hundred.
His voice was rich and melodious,
and his manner polished to courtli-
ness, with not shade of sternness,
even when, as was so often the case,
he must have been sadly disgustcd at
my lack of appreciation of subjects in
which he found so much to enjoy.
Strange to say, he made no adverse
criticism on my style of dress. 1t is
true l was always consummately
clothed-not alone by my own taste,
but because | was allowed to go to
the best dressmakers without regard
to expense.
Jerome told me frankly that he ad-
mired the air of elegance in my slen-
der figure the slight droop of the
head, the swan-lil1e throat; the small
Greek nose and delicate chin. The
type was patricinn.
The chin had receding slope, how
ever he was little afraid OF that he
feared it meant weakness of character.
j knew his diagnosis was correct there,
beyond question. The winter passed,
and the spring. 1t was arranged that
our marriage should take place the
coming October. And now ] began
TO lose my appetite and strength. Ny
parents were much alarmed, and Je-
rome especially so. A European vow
age was discussed by the three most
solicitous for my welfare and finally
decided upon. But for some reason
which | could not myself understand.
my will in this matter asserted itself.
[ so violently opposed the plan that
1t was given up, though most reluct-
antly.
| had it in mind that i was sinking
into IA decline, and ] wanted to die in
my own country. In n dim sort OF
way | felt that great change was in
store for me III the coming summer
some crisis ismy ljfe-and my languol
and depression of spirits caused me to
pictare my own death | had even
mentally arranged the death bed scene
and the probable time of my demise,
which [ thought would be either in
July or August. / was, in fact, in a
deplorably morbid state of mind.
My reading and music were, of
course, given up. 1 had twice tainted
while at the piano, and the physician
whom we had known since my child
hood issued his mandate that [ was to
do nothing in music during the sum
mer, and that my reading, if read at
all, must be Of the lightest nature.
The first of July found us again mt the
seashorc; at the place where we had
first met the year before.
Jerome's passion for the ocean was,
if possible, greater than ever; he
seemed really satisfied and at ease
only when he was near the water, or
on it, liking which ] did not share.
though [ was usually his companion
when he went on his sailing excur-
sions. One evening | had started
alone for a stroll on the beach, leav-
ing Jerome on the hotel piazza talking
business with a friend The sun was
setting when he joined me, and we
stood in silence watching its disap-
penrance below the horizon line.
'Let us walk down to the little
cove and take boat and go for short
row d."
My heart grew sick with nppreben-
sion. eft is too late" | urged "Tt
would be dark long before we could
get bnck"
'Not atall; the moon will be up
and see-there are others starting ont.
We shall have company about MS,
even il we do not know them.
81 feel somehow" ] insisted, Gas if
/ cannot go on the water tonight"
"Bccousc?' me queried.
''l cannot tell you why, but you
know, jerome, / never oppose you
just now, however.
'Nor must you now, 80 he said, tax
ing my hands and looking into my
eyes with his kindly, searching gazc.
But the ocean is so large, and our
boat so small"
eyes; but ] know the ocean ant
love tive arc ON the best OF terms
Won know too that b,,Ito a., ,-.