Coniston, Book III.

nstructed on a larger and more generous principle than those of women are nowadays. Her face was longer. With her curls and her bonnet and her bombazine,-which she wore

ored. I scarcely hoped for such a pleasure. I have so long admired

sat quite upright, in the geometrical centre of the horsehair sofa, and cleared her throat. "To be quite honest with you, Mrs. Merrill," she continued, "I came upon parti

y scrupulous speech. She also began to feel a misgiving about the c

announced Miss Lucretia, wi

a?" faltered

st and drew forth a newspaper clipping, wh

een this?"

ssed very well what it was, glanced at

ve read it

Mrs. Merrill" said Miss L

ndeed, for the poor la

was no

tly true,

id Miss Lucr

erself for the trial; "I have never yet see

iss Lucretia. "What I wish you to tell me, Mrs. Merrill, is this

s. Merrill, with spirit, "I don't s

intelligent interest i

long advocated it a

Mrs. Merrill, who had never r

in that state. I should like to ask him whether these statements are true in

cretia's eye, in its search for truth, seemed to pierce into her very soul. There was no evadin

man, must not be the judges of any man or woman, for we know nothing of their problems or temptations. God will judge them. We can only say that they have acted rightly or wrongly according to the light that is in us. You will find it difficult to get a ju

the "Hymn to Coniston" sit up, if

demn him for those

Yesterday she would certainly have condemned. Jethro B

ht this extraordina

Merrill," said she. "Do you think this Jethro

e girl, manifold evidences of which she had seen, and her heart was filled with a melting pity. It was such a love, Mrs. Merrill knew, as

a proper guardian fo

mit to all human endurance. The sight of these caused a remarkable chang

hat he is! When she finds out how he got the money to support her father!" Miss Lucretia fumbled in her reticule and drew forth a handkerchief and brushed her own eyes-eyes which a mom

ll too much cast down to be amazed by th

lady; "who is to tell her what he is?

rticles. Mr. Merrill says so. It seems there is

lls the girl will forfeit her friendship. I-I am very f

?" asked Mrs. Merrill,

ncreasing by l

Lucretia. "But she must

soften that shock: I talked the matter over a little with Mr. Merrill, and he thinks t

d to say, Mrs. Merrill, that I have thought about another matter very carefully. I am willing to provide for the girl. I am getting too

, and that it might eventually be the best solution of the problem. After some further earnest discussion it was agreed between them that the matte

s about Cynthia alone, and the sorrow which threatened her. These good people knew that it wo

usual to search his newspaper through. He would read no more at breakfast, so he declared in answer to his daughters' comments;

arcely less serious phas

d yet to discuss betwee

a Penniman k

wet snowstorm came charging in from the Atlantic. Snow had no terrors for a Coniston person, and Cynthia had bee

r the moment was lost upon Cynthia. "I thought you would never come. You must

orthin

afraid I have been a very poor substitute. Ho

d not have brought such color to her cheeks. Cynthia, for all her confusion at the meeting, had not lost her facult

done my best, without success. He won't confess to me that he has come back to make up some o

nor displeasure in her face, though he searched it anxiously enough. It was she who led the way into the parlor and seated herself, as before, on one of the uncompromising

ays did not end until

y do

y are yo

t a month ago. There was a note of intense earnestness in his voice-now, and to it she could make no light

ked, to gain time. But with the words

lad of a respite from something. "They're having a great fuss in Brampton about a new teacher for the v

ng to be amused at the turn

nybody smart enough to r

he prudential committee

e post-office when they

tation for learning

inly pleased by

usin Eph?"

e the post-office the most popular social club I ever saw. If anybody's missing in Brampton, you can

o funny about it," repl

t I be? I sho

omething different,"

seemed to Cynthia that the sound of her own heartbeats must be louder than the ticking of the clock. Her tact had suddenly deserted her; without reason, and she did not dare to glance again at Bob as he sat under the lamp. That minute-for it was a full minute-was charged with a presage which she could not grasp. Cy

first, and he tried to restore t

e told us you were down in Boston at a fashionable school. Cousin Ephraim know

ving herself for the ord

you had

had been a constant and we

our father that

serious a que

ere was no reason

hia, "and you know it. Did you tell

N

he think

e went off to Chicago yesterday to attend a meetin

on as his back was turned. I would not have believed tha

had aroused a man, and she felt an amazing thrill at the result. The muscles in his face

or me, I should have told my father the moment I got to Brampton. In affairs of this kind-in a matter of so much importance in my life," he continued, choosing

at she was trembling, as though the force and

e went on, "but-I had a reason for co

e, Bob," she faltered. His nex

you better than all the world-because I always will love you so. I came to protect you, and ca

as long as he lives he will remember the first exquisite touch of her firm but supple figure and the marvellous communion of her lips. A current from the great

ay or the hour thereof. Cynthia fled up the stairs, miraculously arriving

had she committed a supreme act of right? One moment she gloried in it, and the next upbraided herself bitterly. Her heart beat with tumult, and again seemed to stop. Such, though the words but fai

, the logical consequences of their acts; generations ashamed of these very instants when nature has chosen to take command. After a time had passed, d

Although she shrank from it, she no longer lacked the courage to endure it. Certain facts began to stand out clearly from the confusion. The least important and most immediate of these was that she would have to f

in the world

ering upon Cynthia a hundred questions which she answered she knew not how; but neither Susan nor Jane, wonderful as it may seem, betrayed any suspicion. Did he send the flowers? Cynthia had not asked him. Did he want to know whether

then. Not till afterward did she think of them, or connect them with hi

buried his head in his hands. His impulse had been to leave the house and return again on the morrow, but he remembered that he had been asked to stay for supper, and that such

least who Bob was, but prepossessed in his favor by the way he c

thington, Mr. M

o a tax collector or a sheriff. He separated the office from the man, which ought not always to be done. "I'm glad

to stay for supper, Pap

miss the old folks after supper, will you, girl

Merrill to his wife, as they walked up

Merrill, somewhat sadly; "it's as pla

o say when I was a boy in Edmundton. I like Bob," said Mr. Merrill, with his usual weakness for Christian names, "and he isn'

hought so, too. "What will Mr. Worthington say when he he

of that very thing, but with

together. This matter had been arranged between the sisters before supper. Susan found her opening at last, and upbraided Jane for her unfinished theme; Jane, having learned her lesson well, accused Susan. But Cynthia, who saw through the ruse, declared that both themes were finished. Susan, naturally indignant at s

ferent atmosphere. Bob had dared to hope for such an opportunity: had made up his mind during supper, while striving to be agreeable, just what he would do if the opportunity came. Instead, all he could do was to sit foolishly in his chair and look at the coals, not so much as venturing to tur

must go,

s passion, and he dared to seize the band that lay

You should not have

how can I leave you?

and must,"

d, looking at

e reason," s

my whole heart and soul. I know that I love you as few men have ever loved

s. Aware, strange as it may seem, of the absurdity of the source of what she was to say, for a trace of a smile was about her

of finding an answer sufficiently emphatic. How was he

n's yearning to share these perils and shield her from them? How was he to speak at all of those perils

ou say is not true, Cynthia. Whatev

he words, reminding her as they did

e found herself repeat

I will never desert you, never deny you, as long as I live. A

fast. He was on his feet now, dangerously

eyes; and yet had to look at him again, for he was coming to

r so pitifully that she coul

ve me," he

, while Cynthia made a sup

do. You may come to me and tell me his answer, but you must not come to me before." She would have said more, but her strength was almost gone. Yes, and more would have implied a

hin him, his admiration and respect for the girl ou

for you. Whatever my father's reply may be will not change my lov

speak of his father's bitterness and animosity. Who will blame him? Cynthia thought none the less o

e window, and listened to his footfalls