New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-04-07
AGAINST HUMAN NATURE.
BY MARIA LOUISE POOL
Copyrieht 1895: BY The Tribune Assoc'anon
XIX.
"a LITTLE PLEASURE

Roynton hurried forward. The glow on his face
made Temple think of old days in her old home.
This is almost as good Carolina" he ex-
claimed with some eagerness as, hat in hand. ne
came to her side. Here is the pony. here Is the
dog. and here am !. All. Mrs Mercer can't we
fancy that Pisgah is holding up majestic head
somewhere beyond those trees. and that the
French Broad is down there?
Temple breathed long breath. Her eyes
sparkled.
"Oh. to think Of it! Oh, to dream Of it, she an
swered
Fills my heart went on Boynton, with the
quotation.
Then he stopped suddenly. 1t seemed as If. in
spite of himself there had come too much feeling
into his voice.
He put his hand on Thimble's neck and stroked
the sleek hair He almost expected TO see his
hand tremble. and he watched ii intently lest it
should do so.
He had come down from Boston that he might
call on Mrs. Mercer and he had arranged In his
mind his precise manner during the interview.
But Just now meeting her thus. he feared lest this
prearranged manner might slip away from him.
He was thinking that he was senselessy glad,
and he was also cynicay asking himself why 1t
was that when man was senselessly glad there
was a thrill in that JOY that a reasonable pleasure
rarely brought. And he was also thinking that
this fact must be because Of the devil III us all.
He wished that he might feel like this when he
saw Amy Wallis.
Amy Wallis was the incest kind Of a girl, but the
sight Of this woman on the white pony had sent his
blood along its channels at rate that Amy Wallis
must never know about.
And what delicious thing it is to feel the blood
start in that way
That writer spoke the truth who said that we
are likely 10 CHOOSE in life that which brings us
most thrill"
Certainly many Of us weakly do that
Boynton looked up at his companion when he
had made that his hand was steady and that
his voice would also be firm.
How grateful TO that you are better"
he said earnestly.
Not half as grateful as am to feel better"
the reply. Then Temple added. in her old way.
IF you had horse we could gallOp down this
wood road"
In his own mind BoyntOn Immediately flung
away all other plans in the resolve to stay some
where in the vicinity and ride with Temple
you know there's nothing in the world I'd
like better" he answered. with that air Of ex-
aggeration which he used TO his meaning
sometimes Perhaps you'll let me come over to-
morrow on the best steed can fnd?'
"Thatn be so pleasant Temple smiled down
at the beside her Her spirits were rising
as spirits will rise at anything which seems
TO take us back to a time when life was light
and careless.
But where you?' she now asked in sudden
wonder. as to why he had appeared thus. And
IS Miss Wallis with you?'
Boynton was gazing uD at her II am here"
he said. land it is Mrs Mercer who is With
me"
He was careful not TO have too much feeling
in his voice.
Perhaps no man knew better than Boynton how
TO approach near. but not too near. to woman.
Temple felt that agreeable glow which comes TO
US when we are made TO feel that we are giving
pleasure.
"But where is Miss Wallis?"
TN Boston"
"Is she coming into the country"
Perhaps but not until later"
81 liked her" said Temple. with that frank
ness which made her unconventional at times.
81 wanted to know her. But | was so Ill., them
Here the speaker shuddered slightly. but un-
controllably Her eyes cloudel. She looked off
down the path
Boynton stood away short distance. He tried
not to his companions face; il moved him so in
its pallor and its unconscious appeal.
lie swore inwardy at Mercer He called him
n damned idiot to have brought this woman to
this state. Letting her pray and sing for the
rabble
Yes damn him.
Boynton set his teeth against his oaths that
they might not be heard.
But you are getting WELL he said. gently
"anybody can see that"
do you think so? DO you really think so -
turning quickly and bending slightly TOWARD
him. "You can't imagine how like TO have any
one tell me that seem 20 be getting well OF
course | know ! am gaining But it's so slow
And have times of such depression. and fee
as If couldn't be Of any use toto Richard. yot
my belief and faith But. Of course that Is be
cause OF my III health. You see, persons STATE
Of health accounts for great deal OF what II
called mental trouble: don't you think so. Mr.
Boynton?'
II know II does"
Temple began TO say more. Then she hesta ted
She laughed slightly, but there was somethn;
wstfu in her voice she spoke again:
I'm going TO be as well in few weeks
Mr.. Boynton. In the fall can join Mr. Mercer II
his work. That is. can If / keep my faith.
want to keep my faith"
Boynton did not find himself able to speak i'm
mediately.
He was feeling strongly that II this woman ha
tried to find some means by which 10 make hersel
more attractive to him she could not have chose
better than to have appeared in the guise of an in
valid But Boynton knew very well that Mrs. Mer
Ger was not thinking OF herself in relation to him