Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-28
I bad to stt there and listen to nJl thtS
 foolish taLk!

! N\ >.>SS>
 hGd to stt there and listen to dJl thts
 foolish taIki
 Tt is not dream. It shall be a real ity. How glorious it will be! can see our little house now nestling among the hills, shaded by great spreading trees, with flowers and vines and golden fruit all about it, rich plumaged birds and gorgeous butterflies. Oh, can hardly wait! Who would live in a musty palace when one has within reach such a home, and that, too, with you?h
 Here it was again. I thought that in terview would be the death of me.
 Brandon held his face in his hands and then, looking up, said: "It is only question of your happiness, and, hard as the voyage and your life over there would be, yet believe it would be bet ter than life with Louis of France. Nothing could be so terrible as that to both of us. If you wish to go, will try to take you, though I die in the attempt. There will be ample time to reconsider, so that you can turn back if you wish."
 Her reply was inarticulate, though satisfactory, and she, took his hand in hers as the tears ran gently down her cheeks, this time tears of joy, the first she had shed for many day. r In the Siren country again without waxl Overheard and lost! Yes, Brandon's resolution not to see Mary was we'll taken, if it could only have been as we'll kept. Observe as we progress into what the breaking of 1t led him.
 He had known that if he should but see her once more his already toppling will would lose it's equipoise, and he would be led to attempt the impossible and invite destruction. At first this scheme appeared to me in its true light, but Mary's subtle feminine logic made it seem such plain and easy sail ing that soon began to draw enthusi- asm from her exhaustless store, and our combined attack upon Brandon eventually routed every vestige of cau- tion and common sense that even he had left.
 Siren logic has always been irresist- ible and will continue so no doubt de- spite experience.
 cannot define what 1t was about Mary that made her little speeches, half argumentative, all pleading, so wonderfully persuasive. Her facts were mere fancies, and her logic was not even good sophistry. As to real argument and reasoning, there was nothing of either in them. It must have been her native strength of char acter and intensely vigorous personal | ity-some unknown force of nature op- erating through her occultly-that | turned the channels of other persons thoughts and filled them with her own will. There was magic in her power, | am certain, but unconscious magic to l Mary, I am equally sure. She never would have used it knowingly. There was still another obstacle to 1 which Mary administered her favorite remedy; the Gordian knot treatment. Brandon said: "It cannot be. You are not my wife, and we dare not trust a priest here to unite us.''
 "No," replied Mary, with hanging head, "but we can-can find one over 1 there"
 q do not know how that will be. We shall probably not find one-at least I fear. do not know"
 After a little hesitation she answer ed: "I will go with you anyway and and risk it. I hope we may find a priest" And she flushed scarlet from her throat to her hair.
 Brandon kissed her and said: "You shall go, my brave girl. You make me blush for my faint heartedness and prudence. I will make you my wife in some way as sure as there is God"
 Soon after this Brandon forced him. self to insist on her departure, and l went with her, full of hope and com pletely blinded to the dangers of our cherished scheme. I think Brandon never really lost sight of the danger and almost infinite proportion of chance against this wild, reckless venture, but was daring enough to attempt it even in the face of such clearly seen and l deadly conseauences-
 ] TcorTINUED.l