Connecticut western news., 1922-07-06

changed her mind about that, how ever, when she heard him speak and felt the power of his personality and saw his face lighted by the candle of his spirit. It was a handsome face in those moments of high elation. Hardship and malarial poison had lined and sallowed his skin. The shadows of loneliness and sorrow were in its sculpturing. But when his eyes glOwed with passion one saw not the rough mask which the life of the pioneer had given him. His form lost its awkwardness; his face took on a noble and impressive beauty. To quote his own words to the boy Josiah Traylor, his character was speaking as we'll as his lips. Mary had the in- sight to recognize his power. She felt the strength of his spirit She agreed with her friends that here was a man of great promise. She felt the need of him.
 To one who loved beauty and re- spected women as he did, the grace and refinement of this young lady had a singular appeal, coupled, as 1t was, with the urge of his strong, masculine nature. It was a revelation He was like young poet going out into the open and seeing for the first time the mysterious beauty of the mountains or Ythe exquisite, delicate, thin curve of the new moon in spring" He be- gan to seek and study refinement of thought, of manner, of dress, of ex- pression. He knew that he needed Mary, but had the feeling that she was not for him.
 A woman who lived near the Ed wards house had a small, hairy poodle dog. One day, as Abe and Mary were walking along the street, they met this woman, who asked If they had seen her dog,
 "I wouldn't wonder if some one down the street had got him tied to the end of a pole and is using him to swab off his windows" said Abe Lincoln with a good-natured laugh. "I'll try to find him for you"
 Mary enjoyed fun and this and like sallies of the young legislator added certain zest to their friendship. Women are like children In their love of humor.
 The diminutive Douglas saw in Miss Todd an asset of much value and his attentions began to be assiduous. Mary was indifferent to his lofty manner and sOnOrous vocalism. Abe Lincoln liked her better for that
 She encouraged the visits of the lat ter and invited his confidence The fact filled him with a great joy. They went about together. In the Edwards parlor he modestly told her of his work and his life plan. She differed with him on certain subjects which were unfortunately fundamental. He did not love her as he had loved Ann. But her personality pleased and fas- cinated the young legislator. One evening under the spell of it he asked her to be his wife. She consented. Then he began to think it over.
 It was like Lincoln in his relations with women to get the cart before the horse, so to speak. The points upon which they disagreed came up for con- sideration. She could not think as he did on the subject of slavery and the kindred one of state rights. His man- ners were not like hers. They grew naturally out of ones history anNchar- acter. He could be kind and gentle in his way. But mainly, his manners would have to be like the rugged limbs of the oak. The grace and elegance of the water-willOw and the white birch were not for him. It saddened him to conclude that he would have to be for long time just what he was crude, awkward, unlearned in the graces and amenities of cultivated people. He rightly judged that his crudeness would be a constant source of irritation to the proud Mary. AS their acquaintance progressed the truth of his conviction grew more ap- parent. This, however, did not so much concern him as her lack of sym pathy with some of his deepest mo- tives. He decided that after all, he did not love her and that to marry her would be committing a great wrong.
 Some of the unhappiest days of his life followed. His conscience gave him no rest. He knew not what to do. He wrote a letter to Miss Todd in which he reviewed the history of his thinking on the subject of their mar riage and frankly but tenderly stated his conviction that 1t would imperil