Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-07-23

exactly source Of anxiety, although,
of course, should be glad enough if
the Bynums would leave the country.
It isn't pleasant to have the enmity of
such people,
But your father and brother-don't
YOU sometimes feel anxious on their ac-
count?"
She shook her head. THAT would be
disloyal; it would imply doubt OF
their ability to take care OF them
selves"
Ringbrand was thoughtful for mo-
1nent, and then he said: "It's dreadful
state of affairs, though, Miss Hester;
should think it would be a perfect
nightmare to YOU"
ut seems terrible to you, no doubt,
but you must remember that we are
used to it--or, anyway, as nearly rs one
can be used to such things. l should
feel quite lost without the feud."
II envy you your courage
"That's odd. didn't suppose man
ever envicd a woman the possession OF
such an ordinary virtue as courage
perhaps it isn't so commonplace as
you imagine"
ooh, l meant with gentlemen; of
course, it says itself that women are
towards, but that is only another way
OF saying that men are brave
I'm not quite sure thatI follow your
logic. Would you mind giving me your
definition of courage"
perhaps l will-after you've told me
yours"
Ringbrand reflected moment before
answering. POSSIBLY my definition is
not quite sincere. l have always
thought that the truest courage con-
sisted in doing right when it is easier
and safer to do wrong-in other words,
that it requires higher kind of cour-
age to suffer INJURY than to resent it.
I'm beginning to suspect. however, that
this test can be applied only to martyrs
and to coHa.Gs-to the latter, because
they use it rs 4 plea for nonrcsistancc."
II think that is :. little beyond my
depth" replied Hester, shipping rose
from the clam bcrinE bush that covered
the end CT the vcranda and beginning
to trim the petals into dahlia-like pre-
cision with her scissors. II have al
ways thought of a brave man as one
who was simply not afraid of anything;
one of whom it could be said that he did
not know what fear was"
THAT always seemed to me like du-
bious praise. If one doesn't know the
sensation Of fear, there can be little vir-
in, I,i M
man who lcalizcs the danger and yet
compcs himself to face it, though it
may be with pallid face and shaking
knees, deserves the greater credit"
II suppose that's true: only / never
got that far into the subject before. |
don't often reason about such things,
bccause--I suppose you would say be-
cause a woman doesn't reason about
anything; but it doesn't seem neces-
sary; life isn't so much a question OF
motives as of deeds: it isn't so much
what one thinks as what one does. And
father says one does what his ancestors
did"
"In that case l ought to be a brave
man." said Ringbrand, smiling; my
1OTtldlllcIS "tIc pColtISh SIuIlsulSli,
ard they haven't left a record of many
other virtues
els your name ScOtch?"
"Ics; tradition has it that our an
cCstors were the hcralds of the clan,
and that the name comes from their
custom of whirling a lighted brand in
a circle as Il signal for the gathering OF
the hosts"
"llow swcctly romantic! 1t sounds
like bit out of dear old Sir Walter. l
should always believe that, whether it
is true Or not"
Ringbrand laughed shortly: "You
have true woman's admiration for
Yalorous deeds, haven't you? a peace
able man finds himself rather out of the
running"
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