New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-31
AGAINST HUMAN NATURE
BY MARIA LOUISE POOL
fortnight 1895: BIZ The Tribune Annexation.
XNIII
RETURNING STRENGTH

were making excursions here and there as Il So
lectng building spots. Among the trees there
sounded the resounding of the woodpecker. and
one might see the bird briskly running up tree
trunk
But Mercer did not hear any Of the
country sounds or sights He was riding swiftly
over roads mostly solitary. He had more than
twenty miles to go. 1t would be evening long be-
fore he reached Hoyt. He had no definite plan
as to what he should do when he should arrive.
All that he knew was that he must his wife
once more. just Once more
Sometimes as he rode he childishly repeated
these last words aloud. Then he would draw HIM
self up as he would have drawn up fractions
horse.
There's Just about So much Of the IDIOT in every
human being" he said. and the time always
comes when the idiot acts. That time is come for
me. thought had will. reason, common-sense.
Well just now haven't either
He urged his horse to go yet faster through the
now slanting beams of the sun. The earthly.
spring smells came out more strongly as night
approached.
What shall l say 10 her when see herr
But he had no reply to that question
Perhaps it was tie subtle influence Of the
spring: perhaps IL e reaction from the strain of
leaving Temple, bu, true it was that Mercer had
never found it So difficult to combat the natural
impulses Of his heart never hard to fight
against nature.
As he rode on. thinking OF Temple at the end of
the journey the thrill of love and longing for the
beloved quite overmastered him.
But only for the moment. he told himself. His
purpose remained just the same. His purpose
had been formed by reason and long dehberaton.
Therefore it was right. The thing that reason
sanctioned must be right
He had prayed much he had laid this matter
many times before God; had passionately pleaded
for light and guidance
But Mercer had never been absolutely sure as
to the answer God. for some mysterious reason,
did not vouchsafe His aid. That meant, Of
course that Mercer was to do what he could
with his own mind direct him.
There had been times. often repeated. when. as
Mercer prayed in public at his special meetings.
he found himself pleading with an abandon of
fervor tfat his wife might love him.
Not that his words were to that effect; not that
the people listening guessed what was in his
heart, He dc not know how it was that ne
could pour out hot words Of entreaty for the men
and women before him. when his soul was only
CRYING out for the love of his wife.
Often he asked himself what she lelt at such
times.
\ There she was or the platform near MIN.
Week by week day by day. Mercer had seen
that Temple had less strength. less vitality.
The robust mountain girl. whose physical
power was great enough To bear the thrill and
vibration Of sensitive, aesthetic nature, was
changing all the time into the delicate woman
who quivered and shook with what people 50
curiously call nerves." and who was PROSTATE
after any intense feeling.
Miss MacColum said it was emotion. Miss
MacCoum proposed to eliminate emotion from
hot cba ,
invalid but after lack of emotion should have
restored her TO health.
All this went through MERGERS mind he
rode on and the sun went down below the
horizon The man owned TO himself that he
was cropping blindy.
He did not know but that human nature
principally needed suppression in this world
He had believed that it did.
1t required an effort on his part for him TO
make the necessary inquiries to the direction
in which he should ride. He could hardly de-
tach his mind from the thoughts that filled it,
and he had what he knew was an unnatural
feeling that he ought TO be aware by intuition
as to the way to go.
The clock at Hoyt Centre had struck when
he came within sight Of Miss Drowdy's home
The little. brown house looked black in the
moonlight.
Mercer had fear that he should disturb some
one
1t was al still as if great peace had do
seconded on the world.
lie dismounted and led his horse slowly into
the yard AS he did 50 he heard Thimbe's
shrll whinny from the barn. Then Yucatan's
deep voice came from the house.
A light In the kitchen moved and came toward
the outer door which opened softly.
Mercer saw Amna peer out. Then the woman
hac borl la he "A
came to the door. tho moonlight covering her
figure. and clarifying It,
IT'S Just as pleasant as II can be- said A.
nina 70 herself
Then she started. uttering little cry.
Mercer advanced still leading his horse.
He held up his hand.
What's happened?' she whispered
Nothing. Only came back
Almina looked narrowly at the man before her.
She thought that perhaps the moonlight gave
him that CHASTITY appearance. And she had
never seen such eyes ION any mortal being"
You came back" she repeated. Then there
amt accident?'
"No"
Hadn't you better come in"
Thank you. I'll hitch my horse to this tree"
"Aint you gon' to stop"
"Oh. no. / shall go right away"
The woman stood In silence while Mercer
fastened tho bride about the limb of the oak
Il thought | might Mrs. Mercer for half
an hour"
Mercer said this when the two stood in the
kitchen.
Almina was thinking that this man looked
even more strange by the lamplight than be had |
looked by moonlight.
Yes" said Almina mechanically
Where is she?
She has gone to bed just peeped in her |
and she was fast asleep-sleepin' like baby"
That is good. 1t has been SO difficult for her |
TO sleep
Mercer stood in silence after having spoken |
fh,,S ho ID