EMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-S) 7-5 A 7. 4x '^ o 1.0 i:: I.I i.25 ^ «. M 2.2 lis IIIIIM 1.8 U 11.6 6" .""j Photographic Sdences Corporation ■^ 8, - 97 CHAPTER XIV. Noble Deception - 107 CHAPTER XV. "I Wish he had Known," , ' 116 CHAPTER XVI. The Cloud in xhb South. - ]24 CHAPTER XVII. Preparation, '•■--- - 134 CHAPTER XVni. iHE Call to Asms. ■■"--• - 143 ^ CHAPTER XIX. iHE Blood-red Sky - ' " " - - ■ - 148 CHAPTER XX. iwo Battles, ... - 154 CHAPTER XXI. iHE Logic of Events ' ■"■■--- 168 CHAPTER XXIJ. feBLP-SBNTENCBD, • - - - 185 CONTENTS. _•• CHAPTER XXI ri. iA\ Early Drevm Fulfilled - - ^^^^ * ' " • - 191 CHAPTER XXIV. Unchroniclbd Conflicts - ' "••-•- 202 CHAPTER XXV. A Presentimbjvt, ' "■■--- 209 CHAPTER XXVI. An Improvised Picture Gallery, - - - .. 210 CHAPTER XXVIL A Dream, ... 224 CHAPTER XXVIII, Its Fulfilment, - 237 CHAPTER XXIX. A Southern Girl, CHAPTER XXX. Guerillas, - . . • - - 258 CHAPTER XXXI. Just in Timb, - . . 267 CHAPTER XXXII, A Wounded Spirit. - - " - - - 275 CHAPTER XXXIII. The Whitb-Hairbd Nurse ' 280 CHAPTER XXXIV. Rita's Brother. - - 290 viii Hi« Sombre Rivals, CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXV. All Matkiuausts, CHAPTER XXXVI. CHAPTER XXXVII. TffK ] FFoRT TO Live CHAPTER XXXVIIL Gii.» ham's Last SAcuiiKioB, • - . . CHAPTER XXXIX. Mariubd Unconsciously, - - . . KlTA \NUKk80N, CHAPTER XL. CHAPTER XLL A LiTTE Child Shall Leai> Them, - PAOF 298 306 - 312 - 825 836 863 361 1 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. CHAPTER I. AN EMBODIMENT OF MAY gests a loved familiar nook in thZrLt world Tf '"^" no audi niche for me nor ran r ;£ ii ■ ^"®''« '" vhich my memory l^Age™ rth'eSX'^: ••""""' In a gloomy and somewhat bitte? W Alfi?,d Vr.^. thus soliloquized as he naeed H.» ^1!?, \ . '^^nam steamer. ?n oxolanaHon ?f , u "^ ."^ »■" 'n-couiing had been or^hanKX in 1 feLd tt^.V'' *'',''' ^' of his guardians had nLl. k ' ^""^ *«»' t^e residences While rcarcermoretrar.^VMT'^t ''?"'«"''« *« him. boarding-schoo "where the ,w ^' 5*"^ ''^^" P''"'^^ ''t youth-s life little better thZ*;f f "'J '"'""'"'^ ""^^e the barrack. Many bovs wou^H h ' °^ %'"'**'«■• '° ^is ive, callous, and verrprsiMv vTcinrr ^f'^^' ^^^'"'^ out on the world so^eaX tr^^T" ^''"« ""■''^» cent and. to suporfcial ob ervers 1^ Th" T' ■"'"; to observe him clowlv l,!l ' j-^' '^"°^ «'ho cared not diffidence but infceJlLrrtr^ ">"' '' "«^ acteiized his manner In thfn,^*-'"'* °^^^'^ *''* c^ar- his life he had receiv(.d in J ?"'' impossible period of in abundance, but ove Id ' ""vf^T^.^-^^ '"'«<='?•'"« Unconsciously his hel?t Tad rP^"'y.''.?f' '^<^«" denied. • and overshadowed bv hi. infn°T tf^^- ''^numbed, gave him littleZd seemed to n^'- ?" ^'"''1 ^"^d seemed to promise less, and, as a re 10 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. suit not at all uLnatural, he became something of a re- cluse and bookworm even before he had left behind him the 3^^ars of boyhood. Both comrades and teachers eventually learned that the retiring and solitary youth was not to be tritied with. He looked his instructor steadily in the eye when he re- cited, and while his manner was respectful, it was never deferential, nor could he be induced to yield a point, when believing himself in the right, to mere arbitrary asser- tion ; and sometimes he brought confusion to his teacher by quoting in support of his own view some unimpeach- able auihoritj^ At the beginning of each school term there were usually rough fellows who thought the quiet boy could be made the subject of practical jokes and petty a uioyances with- out much danger of retaliation. Graham would usually remain patient up to a certain point, and then, in dismay and astonishment, the offender would suddenly find himself receiving a punishment which he seemed power- less to resist. Blows would fall like hail, or if the combatants closed in the struggle, the aggressor appeared to find m Graham's slight form sinew and fury only. It .eemed as if the lad's spirit broke forth in such a flame of indignation that no one could withstand him. It was also remembered that while he was not noted for prowess on the play -ground, few could surpass him in the gyni- na^^mm, and that he took long solitary rambles. Such of his class-mates, therefore, as were inclined to quarrel with hmi because o'" his unpopular ways soon learned that he ice^pt up his muscle with the best of them, and that, when at last roused, his anger struck like lightning from' a cloud. During the latter part of his college course he gradu- ally formea a strong friendship for a young man of a dif- ferent type, an ardent sunny -natured youth, who proved an antidote to his morbid tendencies. They went abroad togetlier anri stMdied for two years at a German univers- HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. n ity, aiul then Warren HiJland, Graham's friend, havino inherited large wealth, returned to his home. Grahant left to himself, delved more and more deeply in certain phases of sceptical philosophy. It appeared to him that in the past men had believed almost everything, and that the heavier the drafts made on credulity the more largely had they been honoured. The two friends had long since resolved that the actual and the proved should be the base from which they would advance into the unknown and they discarded with equal indifference unsubstanti- ated theories of science and what they were pleased to terra the illusions of faith. " From the verge of the known explore the unknown/' was their motto, and it had been their hope to spend their lives in extending the outposts of accurate knowledge, hi some one or two di- recticr.s, a little beyond the points already reached. Since the scalpel and microscope revealed }io soul in the human mechanism they regarded all theories and beliefs concern- ing a separate spiritual existence as mere assumption. ihey accepted the materialistic view. To them each generation was a link in an endless chain, and man him- self wholly tn^ product of an evolution which had no relations to a creative mind, for they had no belief in the existence ot such a mind. They held that one had only to live wisely and well, and thus transmit the principle ot hie, not only unvitiated, but strengthened and en- arged. bins against body and mind were sins against the race, and it was their creed that the stronger, fuller and more nearly complete thoy made their lives the richer and fuller would oe the life that succeeded them. Thev scouted, as utterly unproved and irrational, the idea that they could ive after death, excepting as the plant lives by addmg to the material life and well-bei4 of othei plants Vnt at that time the spring and vi(^our of vouth were in ^J.eir hea.;t and brain, LA seeme^d to 2m a g.orious thing to live and do their part in the advance 12 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. ment of the race toward a stage of perfection not dreamed ot by the unthinking masses. Alas for their visions of future achievement ! An aval- anche of wealth had overwhelmed Hilland. His letters to his fnend had grown more and more infrequent, and they contained many traces of the business cares and the distractions inseparable from his possessions and new re- lations. And now for causes just the reverse Graham also was forsaking his studies. His modest inheritance invested chiefly in real estate, had so far depreciated that apparently it could not much longer provide for even his irugal life abroad. ;' I must give up my chosen career for a life of bread- winning, he had concluded sadly, and he was ready to avail himself of any good opening that offered. Therefore he knew not where his lot would be cast on the broad continent beyond the revolving light that loomed everv moment more distinctly in the west. A few days later found him at the residence of Mrs Mayburn, a pretty cottage in a suburb of an eastern citv' Ihis lady was his aunt by marriage, and had long been a widow. She had never manifested much interest in her nephew, but since she was his nearest relative he felt that he could not do less than call upon her To his agi-eeable surprise he found that time had mellowed her spirit and softened her angularities. After the death of her husband she had developed unusual ability to take care of herself, and had shown little disposition to take care of any one else. Her thrift and economy had great- ly enhanced her resources, and her investments had been prohtable, while the sense of increasing abundance had had a happy effect on her character. Within the past year she had purchased the dwelling in which she now resided, and to which she welcomed Graham with unex- pected warmth. So far from permitting him to make simply a formal call, she insisted on an extended visit and he. divorced from his studies, and therefore feel- HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 13 uig his isolaiion more keen y than ever before, assented My home is acoessible," she said, "and from this point you can make inquiries and look around for busi- ness opportunities quite as well as from a city hotel " She was s^o cordial, so perfectly sincere, that for the first time m his lite he felt what it was to have kindred and a place in the world that was not purchased He had found his financial affairs in a much better con- dition than he had expected. Some improvements were on foot which promised to advance the value of his real estate so largely as to make him independent, and he was much inclined to return to Germany and resume his studies. "I will rest and vegetate for a time," he concluded. " I will wait till my friend Hilland returns from the West and then, when the impulse of work takes possession of me again, I will decide upon my course." He had come over the ocean to meet his fate, and not the faintest shadow of a presentiment of this truth crossed his mmd as he ooked tranquilly from his aunt's parlour window at the beautiful May sunset. The cherrv blos- soms were on the wane, and the light puflfe of wind brought the white petals down like flurries of snow • the plum-trees looked as if the snow had clung to everv branch and spray and they were as white as they could have been after some breathless, large-flaked December storm ; but the great apple-tree that stood well down the path was the crowning product of May A more ex- quisite bloom of pink and white against an emerald foil ot tender yoK.ig leaves could not have existed even in ton the fragrance exhaled. The air was soft with sum- Xi k"" ^r''^''^^^^^"""^"*^^*' ^^°n^^ Graham's cheek brought no sense of chilliness. The sunset hoar with Its spring beauty, the song of innumerable birds and especially the strains of a wood-thrush, that like a prima donna, trilled her melody, clear ««.:.'. ^p. * vf+9' r, f M 14 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. Il tmc'fc above the feathered chorus, penetrated his soul with subtle and dehcious influences. A vague lonffino- for somethm^c/he had never known or felt, for something that books had never taught, or experimental science revealed throbbed m his heart. He felt that his life was incom- plete and a deeper sense of isolation came over him than he had ever experienced in foreign cities where every face was strange. Unconsciously he was passing under the most subtle and powerful of all spells, that of spring when the impulse to mate comes not to the birds alone It so happened that he was in just the condition to succumb to this influence. His mental tension had relaxed He had sat down by the wayside of life to rest awhile. tie had tound that there was no need that he should be- stir himself in money-getting, and his mind refused to return immediately to the deep abstractions of science It pleaded weariness of the world and of the pros and cons of conflicting theories and questions. He admitted the plea and said : — "My mind shall rest, and for a few days, possibly weeks, it shall be passively receptive of just such influ- ences as nature and circumstances chance to bring to it Who knows but that I may gain a deeper insight into the hidden mysteries than if I were delving among the dusty tomes of a university library ? For some reason I feel to-night as if 1 could look at that radiant, fragrant apple- tree and listen to the luJlaby of the birds forever. And yet their songs suggest a thought that awakens an odd pam and dissatisfaction. Each one is singing to his mate. Each one is giving expression to an overflowing fulness and completeness of life ; and never before have T felt my life so incomplete and isolated. " I wish Hilland was here. He is such a true friend that his silence is companionship, and his words never jar (hscordantly. It seems to me that I miss him more to- night than I did during the first days after his departure Its odd that X should. X wonder if the friendship, the HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 15 love of a woman could be more to me than that of Hil. land. What was that paragraph from Emerson that once struck me so forcibly ? My aunt is a woman of solid reading. She must have Emerson. Yes, here in her bookcase, meagre only in the number of volumes it contains, IS what I want," and he turned the leaves rapidly until his eyes lighted on the following passage :— " No man ever forgot the visitations of that power to his heart and brain which created all things new ; which was the dawn in him of music, poetry, and art ;' which made the face of nature radiant with purple light, the morning and the night varied enchantments ; when a single tone of one voice could make the heart bound, and the most trivial circumstance associated with one form was put in the amber of memory ; when he became all eye when one was present, and all memory when one was gone. " Emerson never learned that at a university, German or otherwise. He writes as if it were a common human experience, and yet I know no mor- about it than of tho sensations of a man who ha,s lost an arm. I suppose los- ing one s heart is much the same. As long as a man's limbs are intact he is scarcely conscious of them, but when one is gone it troubles him all the time, althoufrh it isn t there. xVow when Hilland left me I felt o-uiltv at the ease with which I could forget him in the library and laboratory. I did not become all memory. I knew he was my best, my only friend ; he is still, but he is not essential to my life. Clearly, according to Emerson, I am as Ignorant as a child of one of the deepest experiences of lite, and very probably ha,d better remain so, and yet the hour IS playing strange tricks with my fancy.'" Ihu^ if may be perceived that Alford Graham was peculiarly open on this deceitful May evening, which pro- mised peace and security, to the impending streke of fate. Its harbinger first appeared in the form of a whlTfe Spitz dog, barking vivaciously under tk. .pple-tree, where a 16 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. fe:^ingTorS''S:;to»''!r« '"'"--to-l the walk was prefcunding to be IcentTt K. J^e little creature, and tude Suddenly there wL. I ^^I*^ belligerent atti- dmperies, and X d„g rl^^afed 't^w'"^/n''"i'^' "^ ^^^^ with still greater exci^'^tef. ^^h^". ''^'••^'"g ing up the path with quick litlvl 7 T "?? '*"' """n- and little impetuous da^l"ls'tw '"*' ',"''<^«" P»"^es, ing that might have Ten In If "f ?■"«. playmate, a be- apple-tree, or. mther the h1,m»n "'l'"?-*™'" *>>« ™diant soming period of the vearCl •?";* °*'*''« *>'"«- neck were snowy white and n„ ""l"^"* ' ''™^ ""^ ^^^ above her could ^surp^t' ?hf W ^"''' T*''' °° '^e trees large, dark, lust ous eyes w'i'rh"'" ^'- ''^"'^'- »» fun, and unconscious ofTb«erT!f- ''"?'""°g "ver with natural, unstudied 'grl "ofTcWir ''' """^"^ "^^'^ *« out^Se7„4tte'.:nt fnT °/ "?^^ "^ "^^P^^'^ -">" hour and season has appeared "T*^.T^ ^^"''^ "^ the himself behind the curtS „n wn"*^ ^^ ^^'''^ <=°n<=ealed of a picture that made eve;vnf-*°,'°'^ °°« g"»PS« ■Livexy moment she came nearAv nr^+^i «* i ^ i opposite the window. He couldZ^ Tl^ '^''•* ^''^ ^^^^-^ ing across her temples, the S 4se and fairofT 'T °^- caused by rather violent exPH^^l T ^^^^^^°^'^- liglit brown hair that w«\ -faTi, ', ^^^ "^^^^ «"«ines of back of the sha^^e ly held fc'n ?." ^'"'^'^ "»" ^^ «>e of dark eyes and l^ht htir wV K^ *•?? ''^^ combination eyes all the more striking U "^ '"^''* ^^^ '"«*>■« «f her a. she stood ^ntina beEe^l never forgot that moment girlhood's gmct Sdinr^o h» °° -^^ ,S™^'<'' ^^'k, her ding womaWod Forf ml\rr"*f ^ r!'*" '^^'^ ''"d- mind that under the sp:irorthe\'SS°etnl^ro^: ! '^f HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 17 fancy had created her and that if he looked away and turned again he would see nothing but the pink and wkte blossoms, and hear only the jubilant song of the The Spitz dog, however, could not possibly have any such unsubstantial origin, and this small Cerberus had now entered the room, and was barking furiouslv at him as an unrecognised stranger. A moment later his vision under the window stood in the doorway. The sportive girl, was transformed at once into a well-bred vouna woman who remarked quietly, "I beg your pardon. I expected to find Mrs Mayburn here ; " and she departed to search for that lady through the house with a prompt iSima'i' s^ggeslied relations of the most friendly CHAPTER II. MERE FANCIES. GRAHAM'S disposition to make his aunt a visit was not at all chilled by the discovery that she had so tair a neighbour. He was conscious of little more than an impulse to form the acquaintance of one who mi.rht give a peculiar charm and piquancy to his May-day va^'ca- tion and enrich him with an experience that had been wholly wanting in his secluded and studious life. With a smile he permitted the fancy—for he was in a mood tor ah sorts of fancies on this evening—that if this ^irl could teach him to interpret Emerson's words, he would make no crabbed resistance. And yet the remote possi- bility of 8uch an event gave him a sense of security; and prompted him all the more to yield himself for the first time to whatever impressions a young and pretty woman 18 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. !'^ 1 1 II might be able to make upon him. His very disposition toward experiment and analysis inclined him to experi- ment with himself. Thus it would seem that even the periect evening, and the vision that had emerged from under the apple-boughs, could not wholly lanish a ten- dency to give a scientific cast to the mood and fancies of the hour. His aunt now summoned him to tlic supper-room where he was formally introduced to Miss Grace Si. Johk with whom his first meal under his relative's roof was destined to be taken. As may naturally be supposed, Graham was not well turnished with small talk, and while he had not the pro- verbial shyness and awkwardness of the student, he was somewhat silent because he knew not what to say. The young guest was entirely at her ease, and her familiarity with the hostess enabled her to chat freely and naturally on topics of mutual interest, thus giving Graham time for those observations to which all are inclined when meet- ing one who has taken a sudden and strong hold upon the attention. ^ He speedily concluded that she could not be less than nineteen or twenty years of age, and that she was not what he would term a society girl,— a type that he had learned to recognise from not a few representatives of his countrywomen whom he had seen ?„broad, rather than from much personal acquaintance. It should not be understood that he had shunned societv altogether, and his position had ever entitled hira to enter the best ; but the young women whom it had been his fortune to meet had failed to interest himas completely as he had proved himself a bore to them. Their worlds were too widely separated for mutual sympathy ; and after brief excursions amona the drawing-rooms to which Hilland had usuallv dragged him, he returned to his bocks with a deeper satisfactton and content. Would his acquaintance with Miss St. John lead to a like result ? He was watching and waiting to HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 19 Bee, and she had the advantage — if it was an advantage — of making a good first impression. Every moment increased this predisposition in her favour. She must have known that she was very attrac- tive, for few girJs reach her age without attaining such knowledge ; but her observer, and in a certain sense her critic, could not detect the faintest trace of 9,tfectation or self-consciousness. Her manner, her words, and even their accent seemed unstudied, unpractised, and unmod- elled after any received type. Her glance was peculiarly open and direct, and from the first she gave Graham the feeling that she was one who might be trusted absolutely. That she had tact and kindliness also was evidenced by the fact that she did not misunderstand or resent his com- parative silence. At first, after learning that he had lived much abroad, her manner toward him had been a little shy and wary, indicating that she may have surmised that his reticence was the result of a certain kind of superiority which travelled men — especially young men — often assume when meeting those whose lives are sup- posed to have a narrow horizon ; but she quickly dis- covered that Graham had no foreign-bred pre-eminence to parade,— that he wanted to talk with her if he could only find some common subject of interest. This she supplied by taking him to ground with which he was perfectly familiar, for she asked him to tell her some- thing about university life in Germany. On such a theme he could converse well, and before long a fire of eager questions proved that he had not only a deeply in- terested listener, but also a very intelligent one. Mrs. Mayburn smiled complacently, for she had some natural desire that her nephew should make a favourable impression. In regard to Miss St. John she had long ceased to have any misgivings, and the approval that she saw in Graham's eyes was expected as a matter of course. This af)proval she soon developed into positive admira- tion by leading her favourite to speak of her own past. 20 HIS SOMBRE IIIVAIA " Grace, you must know, Alford, h tlie dauffhtoi- of an army othcer, and has seen some odd phases uf" fe at the vanous nuhtary stations where her Lher Is been on These words piqued Graham's curiosity at once and he became the questioner. His own frank effort to entertain was now rewarded, and the young girl, possess^M easv and natural powers of description,|a^e k^etehesofliS ot novelty Unconsciously she was accounting for her- self. In the rehned yet unconventional society of officers and their wives she had acquired the frank mani^r so pecuhar y her own. But the characteristic which won Graham s interest most strongly was her abounding miX fulness. It inn hrough all her words like a ^Iden fZl- V'' '"f °<=«^« caving of every nature kfo? that which .supplements itself. aSd Graham found some- thing so genia m Miss St. John's ready smile and Wh mg eyes which suggested an over-fuU fountain of joyous Tur^^'",; that his heart, chilled and represse^rom W H fl''' }T" "i4^" "'S"" °f "' existence, even du" ing the first hour of their acquaintance. It is true as we W seen that he was in a very receptive conduL b^t fZta :?;ref "" ''"'' '^ '''' '"''"' --'^-. - -er The long May twilight had faded, and they were still lingering over the supper-table, when a middle-atd coloured woman in a flaming red turban appeared in the doorway and said : "PardoS, Mis' MaybumTse honin' youilscuseme. Ijesstep over to teU Miss Grace dat de niajor's po'ful onea.,y,Apected you back af^.'' ' ''"' IhS giri arose with alacrity, saying : " Mr Gralifl,m r '^pa rf n* •"' ?'° ^"4 ''^' "-' "°- «" '"e me i-apa i ; an inveterate whist-player and vou hivp tor the sake of your dehcious muffins altogether"— with a nod at her hostess; "our game has been broken up HIS SOMMHE RIVALS. 21 you know, Mrs. Maybum, by the departure of Mrs Weeks and her daughter. You have often played a good lid come hand with us, and j)apa thought vou woul over this evening and that you, from your better acquaintance with our neighbours, might know of some one who en- joyed the game sufficiently to join us quite often. Mr. Graham, you must be the one I am seeking. A gentle- man versed in the lore of two continents certainly under- stands whist, or, at least, can penetrate its mysteries at a single sitting." "Sujppose I punish the irony of your concluding words,' Graham replied, *•' by saying that I know just enough about the game to be aware how much skill is re- quired to play with such a veteran as your father." " If you did you would punish papa also, who is inno- cent. " That cannot be thought of, although, in truth, I play but an indifferent game. If you will make amends by ^aaching me I will try to perpetrate as few blunders as possible." " Indeed, sir, you forget. You are to make amends for keeping me talking here, forgetful of filial duty, by givin> me a chance to teach you. You are to be led meekly in as a trophy by which I am to propitiate my stern parent, who has nailitary ideas of promptness and obedience." " What if he should place me under arrest ? " "Then Mrs. May burn and I will become your jailers, and we shall keep you here until you are one of the most accomplished whist-players in the land." " If you will promise to stand guard over me some of the time I will submit to any conditions." " You are already making one condition, and may think of a dozen more. It will be better to parole you with the understanding that you are to put in an appearance at the hour for whist;" and with similar light talk they went down the walk under the apple-boughs, whence in Gra- ham s fancy the fair girl had had her origin. As they 8S I li I HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. |.Mssed mider the .sl,a.]ow ho saw the .lusky outlin.. „f « .UHtio aeat leaning agairist tl,e bole of the tree and ho wondered .fhesl-oulJcver induce hi.spre.sent«ud;throu.V^ he darkened paths to come there ,Le moon i'd eJl" mg, and listen to the fancies which her unexpected ap- |.earance had occasioned. The possibility of such an event m contrast wUh ite far greater' improba^bil t^ lused hi" to s,gh, and then he smiled broadlj! at himself in the dark- IluSo. When they had passed a clump of evergreens a lighted eottage presented itself, and Miss St. John" sprang fehtlv up the steps pushed open the hall door, and cried^throuih host?l?rr« """' 'i"." ""y "P'-rtment, "No occasion ftr hostilit.es papa. I have made a capture that gives the ha.^:d'r:;rK''hi^?ooS'^^^^^^^^^^^^^ with some little difficulty, but hav^g g^lnerilis eet h bearing was erect and soldier-like, and his couitesy per' feet, a hough toward Mrs. Mayburn it was tingeTwHh thegallantry of a former generation. Some brfefexpla ?thr ?i T*^,' '■"'^ *•'?' ' ^^''J"'- St. John turned upon Graham the dark eyes which his daughter had inherited and which seemed all the more brilliant in contrast wTth his frosty eyebrows, and said genially, " It is very Snd i^lo ,W "T^^ ^ '".V" er of her fatWs "Have I earnlrri?' ^-Tf' """d «ome wafer-like cakes, books rGraTmtl'ed.'"'"'""'^"" "' "" glance at your " i es, indeed," Miss St. John renlied • « ,,«„. Ike submission shall be further rtCded CLZ ^^"' to borrow any of them while in town Idouhf tT'''""" y^thif ot^i:;^ s tuii-Lr^e,ttS'rL\' ^tt hL?an^ra°":ok'»^''"" ''^''-'^ -''- ^0" thin^'hTis'I^tui.""' " *''^ ""^ °^ -^« -J p-'ry ; but r Sri^^* ' ^^^ you make them ? " " Why not ? " empJ^t'oplatf^ltdfT ^'^ "f "r'^-^ ?«"""< ^ i-evisl ma'nT: f'rourtTri:^!"-" ^ ^°" "'^'"'^^^ ^ officers are natuSy ™Teon?nH.? .''°"'' ''"''^^'^ *™y c«m«., but then we hke to Tel ■ .*k "i'P°''t "''"^ * can simplicity." "^^ "P ">« "I^ °f '•epubli- toL^^mefrmake'lTTf^'"''"^ *° '"<>»«« y°- father as possible ?" °* ^•'"'" "^<'™°S 'J"''- ^^'te as often . JXihTiiat *?:', tKeiY'r^i^- ^n " get to make them." ^ ^ sometimes for- . m HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 25 " Their absence would not prevent my taste from beijj^ gratified if you will permit me to come. Here is a mark*^ ed volume of Emerson's works. May I take it for a day or two V • "^ She blushed slightly, hesitated perceptibly, and then said, " Yes." " Alford," broke in his aunt, " you students have the name of being great owls, but for an old woman of my regular habits it's getting late." "My daughter informs me," the major remarked to Graham in parting, " that we may be able to induce you to take a hand with us quite often. If you should ever become as old and crippled as I am you will know how to appreciate such kindness." "Indeed, sir, Miss St. John must testify that I asked to share your game as a privilege. I can scarcely remember to have passed so pleasant an evening." " Mrs. Mayburn, do try to keep him in this amiable frame of mind," cried the girl. " I think I shall need your aid," said that lady, with a smile. " Come, Alford, it is next to impossible to get you away.'* " Papa's unfortunate barometer will prove correct, I fear," said Miss St. John, following them out on the pi- azza, for a thin scud was already veiling the stars, and there was an ominous moan of the wind. "To-morrow M'ill be a stormy day," remarked Mrs. Mayburn, who prided herself on her weather wisdom. " I'm sorry," Miss St. John continued, " for it will spoil our fairy world of blossoms, and I am still more sorry for papa's sake." Should the day prove a long, dismal, rainy one," Gra- ham ventured, " may I not come over and help entertain your father ? " " Yes,'' said the girl earnestly. " It cannot seem strange to you that time should often hang heavily on his hands, and I am grateful to any one who helps me tc ' hours." inirQi 26 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. I I Before Graham repassed under the apple-tree boughs tude ^ *"" "^"^ ^* ^^^^^ Miss St. John's grati- CHAPTER ITT. THE VERDICT OF A SAQR WHEN Graham reached his room he was in no mood for sleep. At first he lapsed into a lon^ reverie over the events of the evening, trivial in themsefves and yet for some reason holding a controlHng influence over his thoughts Miss St. John was a nel reXtln of womanhood to him, and for the first time in his lif e l^s tJn Wh ;",!\^« r^»re vibrated when she spoke and tTnermif Th^^^ f'^ '^ "^T ' ?" ^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^is impulse to permit this stranger to make any impression within Mm^T/'r? ^'/r ^ '^^' '^' had decidedly interested thrift ^]^T^- to analyze her power he concluded her p I "sh^ '" *l' mirthfulness. the joyousness of ner spirit. She quickened his cool, deliberate pulse Her smile was not an affiur of facial muscles, but had a vivifying warmth. It made him suspect that h^ life was becoming CO d and self-centred, that he was mSs ng the deepest and best experiences of an existence that wj ever ''thIV' ^"f T^' ^' ^^ ^'^''^'^' «^«« «^^«ed Jot f Jf i. f ! r/u '^^^y ^^^ ambition had sufficed thus far, but actuated by his own materialistic creed he w^ bound to make he most of life while it lasted. AccoTd! mg to Emerson he wa^ as yet but in the earlier stages of m^tT^'"''^^'' ^'f''' T^^°«^ ^^«".y undevised Had not 'music, poetry, and art" dawned in his mind? Wa^ nature but a mechanism after whose laws he had HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 27 been gioping like an anatomist who finds in the God-like form bone and tissue merely ? As he had sat watching the sunset a few hours previous, the element of beauty had been present to him as never before. Could this sense of beauty become so enlarged that the world would be transfigured, " radiant with purple light "? Morning had often brought to him weariness from sleepless hours during which he had racked his brain over problems too deep for him, and evening had found him still baffled, disappoint- ed, and disposed to ask in view of his toil, Cui bono ? What ground had Emerson for saying that these same mornings and evenings might be filled with " varied en- chantments " ? The reason, the cause of these unknown conditions was given unmistakably. The Concord sage had virtually asserted that he, Alford Graham, would never truly exist until his one-sided masculine nature had been supplemented by the feminine soul which alone could give to his being completeness and the power to attain his full development. " Well," he soliloquized, laughing, " I have not been aware that hitherto I have been only a mollusk, a polyp of a man, I am inclined to think that Emerson's ' Pega- sus' took the bit, — got the better of him on one occasion ; but if there is any truth in what he writes it might not be a bad idea to try a lii'de of the kind of evolution that he suggests and see what comes of it. I am already con- tident that I could see infinitely more than I do if I could iook at the world through Miss St. John's eyes as well as my own, but I run no slight risk in obtaining that vision. Her eyes are stars that must have drawn wor- shippers, not only from the east, but from every point of the compass. I should be in a sorry plight if 1 should become ' all memory,' and from my fair divinitv receive as sole response, ' Please forget.' If the philosopher could guarantee that she also would be 'all eye and all me- mory,' one might indeed covet Miss St. John as the teacher of the higher mysteries. Life is not very exhilarating at 28 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. tt t'^Vr" \P*"yP- C<"°«. come Alford &ahkm S^M'^^JjetoH won't' Lf-'?"'"-''--' "''^^^^Ze therefore penn.t no delusio,. and the grotth of n'o fake dweUing up^n H ZllttZ.^^Z' '' "^^ ''-" to ie^d^^e thrvX'i:^^\S2"^^*x^"^ -^r*^^ read in this instance, 'No wolnfverWotf''o/. "^^ i«;^rtith-c-^ catfnrappttTanrir?,t'f ?^k""^«'°^' ^'^^^ '°-J- aa to'su^UtatlrstTg stfeTe 1° '^^': passage was not the work of MiV.%f ^T k u f ^"^^^^^^^ some heavy masculinrhand Tl!- ''^^' ^"* '^^^^^ ^^ HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 29 ourable for him. I can win her gratitude by amusing the old major, and with that, no doubt, I should have to be content." This limitation of his chances caused Graham so littl? solicitude that he was soon sleeping soundly. CHAPTER IV. WARNING OR INCENTIVE? THE next morning proved that the wound which Ma- jor St. John had received in the Mexican war was a correct barometer. From a leaden, lowering sky the rain fell steadily, and a chilly wind was fast dismantling the trees of their blossoms. The birds had suspended their nest-building, and but few had the heart to sing. "You seem to take a very complacent view of^^the dreary prospect without," Mrs. Mayburn remarked, as Graham came smilingly into the breakfast -room and greeted her with a cheerful note in his tones. " Such a day as this means rheumatism for me and an achino- leo- for Major St. John." " "^ "lam verry sorry, aunt," he replied, "but I cannot help remembering also that it is not altogether an ill wind, for it will blow me over into a cosy parlour and very charming society— that is, if Miss St. John will give me a little aid in entertaining her fa her." " So we old people don't count for anythino-." " That doesn't follow at all. I would do anythino- in my power to banish your rheumatism and the mafor's twinges, but how was it with you both at my af^e ? I can answer for the major. If at that time he knew ano- ther major with such a daufrhtfir as Waqboc. hia k^, — |,,v devotion to the preceding: veteran was a little mixed ' 30 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. ;; Are you so taken by Miss St. John ?" i have not the slightest hope of being taken bv her" You know what 1 mean ? " ^ expeIMoL^L'';^!;f ^" '"^^f^ ^^ ™«d^«t hopes and mS J • t^-at youmay have no anxieties if I avail Whenever you will express your wishes." ^ '' there but Tl"1,r\"''",,"'^* '^' '^ fi"«-'" '='''><=l"' -«*«-'' - you .o;/i::i^^r:"L^,^- -e exeu.. Weil, be on and therefore you will beTn all ^L'' *f **?*"« y". captured l/ yorLe you hearrrv'rf \°' ''^'"^ will need more than Gemifln ntf;? ^ *™ '" ^«'' yo" , " I have already made r ^^lu^^^ *» sustain you." last remark." ^ ^ "^^^'^ "> substance your th:We?yTearny;ire':U tlt'r''"',?"^ P-^'^P' ^r attack." -^ ™ ^'^ *'^« more hable to an acute •' stS tS'tTtur: n ''•°?' *« *^^'«. ""d asked, would I nothaveyotwes^ing^'?"^* *° ^'- »*• Jo*""; '■ m;r^'^ '°°™ *''*" "y Messing." "StreommTmtSr ^f ^o"' "'--^^ " and I do not wSh ™u t^^^kl '^ y"" commit yourself, ■ appreciating the risTOb^^^^^^^^^^ hearSf .. t; SZy^Wri^S^-J' h"- '^^""^ one evening with the gi>l » ' ^ ^^^® ^P^nt but piiS ■'! KoTltd t'o mv^tf ^'^f ^-"«y - ^''^ - ing a thing or two Mv ^ ^ T "^ ''*« ^'*out learn- you looked at Gr^e W . •^'^ *' "« °°«« J"st as ca^eofitinlreTante :S; %' ' '"°"! "''*' and you may be invulnerabir»T^ J.O" afesafe now, ike it ; but^you Tn seTmu^h of ^^ote' St'l T '°1 rema:n untouched you are unlike mostlen.'- "'"' '"^ Bnt-Xptii:ii--niiuXron-,^: ome over Joncluded I as you 1, be on ure you, of being her you in you." ce your aps for tn acute i asked, >. John. g?" 3urself, without aghing nt but ihe re- learn- as yet. ist as what J now, t look 1 and c:now. ICC ? " HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 35 "Yes. I think we both have had the name of being a ittle pecuhar.and my brusque, direct way of coming righ? to the point ,s one of my peculiarities. *" I am very inti- mate with the St. Johns, and am almost as fond of Grace as if she were my own child. So of course you can see V^f^d.^fl of her if you wi«h, and this aCi'ement about whist will add to your opportunities. I know wha young men are, and I know too what often happen! when their faces express as much admiration and interest as LTdd^) f ""'^t ^^"^'^ "^^^^'" continued the ener- get c old lady with an emphatic tap on the floor with her foot, and a decided nod of her head, "if I were a vouna man, Grace would have to marry some one else to /et rid of me. Now I've had my say. and my conscience is clear ttfrrestt'Tut I ^^^^ ''''''' /^' yout'srsttTe tnat question, but I am sincere and cordial in my reouest ne sam, l thank you for your kindness, and more than all for your downright sincerity. When I came hemTt fTnd" rf r ^"'AC"™-' -^'^ll- With the exceptZ of one friend I believed that I stood utterly alone in the world -that no one cared what I did or what became of me witn It but 1 find it more pleasant than I can make von understand to know there is one place in the St^ which I can come, not u, a stranger to an inn buTa, o^ »wer:i^.ri;-ci^ilv£43 ude7"Lrn"''-^/f ^^™'"^ ™y Iive7hoS"L\r then ouite nrlif '' *° "^ ""?"'''' "> ^«^' ^^^le. and inen quite probably resume my studies here or abroad you lor > our note of alarm in rejjard to Miss St 34 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. John, although T must say that to my mind there is more ot mcentive than of warning in your words. I think 1 can at least venture on a few reconnoissances, as the ma- jor might say, before I beat a retreat. Is it too earlv to make one now ? " Mrs. Maybum smiled. « No," she said, laconically. ■ ,f^^ ,** y^^ ^^^^^ ^y reconnoissance will lead to a «iege, Graham added. " Well, I can at least Dromise that tJiere shall be no rash movements." CHAPTER V. IMPRESSIONS. ri RA.HAM, smiling at his aunt and still more amused yj at himself, started to pay his mornina visit " Yes- terday afternoon/' he though?, ^' I expected^o make but a bnef call on an aunt who was almost a stranger to me and now I am domiciled under her roof indefinitely. She has introduced me to a charming girl, and in an ostensi- ble warning shrewdly inserted the strongest incentives to venture everything, hinting at the same time that if I succeeded she would give me more than her blessing What a vista of possibilities has opened since I crossed her threshold ! A brief time since I was buried in German iibraries, unaware of the existence of Miss St. John, and forgetting that of my aunt. Apparently I have crossed the ocean to meet them both, for had I remained abroad a tew days longer, letters on the way would have prevent- ed my returning. Of course it is all chance, but a curious chance. I don t wonder that people are often supersti- tious ; and yet a moment's reasoning proves the absurdity ot this .ort of thing. Nothing truly strange often hap- Mis SOMBUK RIVALS. 35 pens and only our egotism invests events of personal in- teiest with a tract of the marvellous. My busine^ man . i^ u . '*''"®- % »»»' receives me, not as I a relative. She haa a fair young neighbour with whom .she 1., mtima e, and whom I meet as a matter of cL^ and m a matter of course I can continue to meet hei as' Sk^ f ?u^ ? """ '='"' ''"J"-^' "•« 'o^ety of any woman without the danger my aunt suggests and-as I half be .eve-would like to bring about What signify my f^-' cies of ast evening? We often enjoy imao-inine wW nigh be without ever intending it shall be. AUny rate I sha 1 not sigh for Mis,s St. John or any other woman un! 1 satisfied that 1 should not sigh in vain. The proba- bilities are therefore that I shalF never sigh at all "^ As he approached Major St. John's dwelling he saw the bf a le"tt r" A°"^'''' ''^^^^.^ ^^ *« ^'"^ow andTead! ing a letter. A synnga shrub part ally concealed him ind his umbrella, and he could not forbearVusinsra mTment to note what a pretty picture she made A spfig rf" tT^Z"' '".herlight wavy hair, and anot'^ef fo,rened by her breastpin drooped over her bosom. Her mornin" wrapper was of the hue of the sky that lay bi=k of thf leaden clouds. A heightened colour mantltd hTr cheeks anch,.rite to look often at such a vision as tC and ™ 30 HIS SOMBRE KIVALS. ThXZlT.!'iu": ^''?' ^^''^"''"' ''"'« "O'l and """e- ~ tL T ^°l'^'"\ .">«'?"tly. "nd a moment later 8he opened the door for him herself, savinc " Since I Imv^ seen you and you have come on «. k^n.f kn e rand I have d>,pe^«,.,l w,th the formality of Honding a servant to ad! askeT'"'«Yn,l'j'!l «' l"""^' ^' " ^'"■"'«'' reward?" he ..^i . Y"" .*'" ''"'^ ™® ^'ery mercenary." Oh, certamly. Pardon the oversight. I should have U": me""""" ^'■'""'^""S ''°<=« '^ - - long since w: "And h-.ving known each other so long also " he ail.',..l m the same hght vein, conscious meantime that Ire he ' hand that was as full of vitality as it was shapely and wl toyout" *'''<'P'"^^; "^^"^ '''■'t evening .s'eem an age »„I/.*''-'?'!w'";°'°"^,'*.' ''"'•yo" must remember that mv aunt said t;hat she could not get me away ; and tins moni. ing I was indiscreet, enough to welcome the rain, at which wound"?' "'" "^ ^"^ '-heumatism and your father' " And at which I also hope you had a twinge or two of conscience Papa," she added, leading the way into the Ulkabout life 1,1 Germauy that so delayed me last even- ing The old gentleman started out of a doze, and his man- ner proved that he we corned any break in the monotony of the day, "You wil pardon my not rising," he said^ s confounded weather is playing the deuS with my l|f HIS 80MHUE HIV Ah 37 (Jmham was observant as he Joined in a general con- Hi'iiination of the weather; and the manner in which Miss St. John rearranged the cushion on which her father's toot rested, coaxed the tire into a more cheerful blaze and l.est()wetten spent ?. day, and id to him, ter seemed can rival J, — and he There is on, — he is ; don't be- ise. Gra- sper every upon his her. He way by a )f beauty mind ray r its own. she could could not tell iiim much that was now. He found his peer, not in his lines of thought, but in her own, and he was so little of an egotist that he admired her all the more because she knew what he did not, and could never become an echo of him- self. In her world she had been an intelligent observer and thinker, and she interpreted that world to him as naturally and unassumingly as a flower blooms and ex- hales its fragrance. For the first time in his life he gave himself up to the charm of a cultivated woman's society, and to do this in his present leisure seemed the most sen- sible thing possible. " One can see a rare flower," he had reasoned, " without wishing to pluck it, or hear a wood-thrush sing without straightway thinking of a cage. Miss St. John's affections may be already engaged, or I may be the last person in the world to secure them. Idle fancies of what she might become to me are harmless enough. Any man is prone to indulge in these when seeing a woman who pleases his taste and kindles his imagination. When it comes to practical action one may expect and desire nothing more than the brightening of one's wits and the securing of agreeable pastime. I do not see why I should not be en- tirely content with these motives until my brief visit is over, notwithstanding my aunt's ominous warnings ; " and so without any misgivings had at first yielded himself to all the spells that Miss fcit. John might unconsciously weave. As time passed, however, he began to doubt whether he could maintain his cool, philosophic attitude of enjoy- ment. He found himself growing more and more eager for the hours to return when he could seek her society, and the intervening time was becoming dull and heavy- paced. The impulse to go back to Germany and to re- sume his studies was slow in coming. Indeed, he was at laot obliged to admit to himself that a game of whist with the old major had more attractions than the latest scien- tific treatise. Not that he_jdoted on the irascible veteran, 44 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. but because iie thus secared a fair partner whose dark eyes were beaming with mirth and intelligence, whose ever-springmg fountain of happiness was so full that even in the solemnity of the game it found expression in little piquant gestures, brief words, and smiles that were like glints of sunshine. Her very presence lifted him to a Higher plane, and gave a greater capacity for enjoyment, and sometimes simply an arch smile or an unexpected tone set his nerves vibrating in a manner as deli'rbtful •^'^ ^'t, was unexplainable by any past experience t : . could recall. She was a good walker and horsewon . and as their acquaintance ripened he began to ask permission to join her m her rides and rambles. She assented without the slightest hesitancy, but he soon found that she gave him no exclusive monopoly of these excursions, and that he must share them with other young men. Her absences from home were always comparatively brief, however, and that which charmed him most was her sunny devo- tion to her invalid and often very irritable father. She was the antidote to his age and to his infirmities of body ana temper. While she was away the world in general, and his own little sphere in particular, tended toward a hopeless snarl. Jinny, the coloured servant, was subser- viency itself, but her very obsequiousness irritated him although her drollery was at times diverting. It was usually true, however, that but one touch and one voice could soothe the jangling nerves. As Graham saw this womanly magic, which apparently cost no more effort than the wood fire put forth in banishing chilliness and discomfort, the thought would come, "Blessed will be the man who can win her as the light and life of his home I Wheo days passed, and no (me seemed to have a greater place m her thoughts and interest than himself, was it unnatural that the hope should dawn that she mif^ht create a home for him ? If she had a favoured suitor hia •unt would be apt to know oj it. She did not seem ^m- HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 45 bitious, or disposed to invest her heart so that it might bring fortune and social eminence. Never by word or sign had she appeared to chafe at her father's modest competency, but with tact and skill, taught undoubtedly by army experience, she made their slender income yield the essentials of comfort and refinement, and seemed quite indifferent to non-essentials. Graham could never hope to possess wealth, but he found in Miss St. John a woman who could impart to his home the crowning grace of wealth — simple, unostentatious elegance. His aunt had said that the 3'oung girl had already refused more than one fortune, and the accompanying assurance that she would marry the man she loved, whatever might be his circumstances, seem.ed verified by his own observation. Therefore why might he not hope ? Few men are so modest as not to indulge the hope to which their heart piompts them. Graham was slow to recognise the exist- ence of this hope, and then he watched its growth warily. Not for the world would he lose control of himself, not for the world would he reveal it to any one, least of all to his aunt or to her who had inspired it, unless he had some reason to believe she would not disappoint it. He was prompted to concealment, not only by his pride, which was great, but more by a characteristic trait, an instinc- tive desire to hide his deeper feelings, his inner personality from all others. He would not admit that he had fallen in love. The very phrase was excessively distasteful. To his friend Hilland he might have given his confi- dence, and he would have accounted for himself in some such way as this : — " I have found a child and a woman ; a child in frank- ness and joyousness, a woman in beauty, strength, mental rnaturity, and unselfishness. She interested me from the first, and every day I know better the reason why, — be- ■ause she is interesting. My reason has kept pace with my fancy and my deeper feeling, and impels me to seek this girl quite as much as does my heart. I do not think 46 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. a man meets such a woman or such a chance for happi- ness twice in a lifetime. I did not believe there was such a woman in the world. You may laugh and say that is the way all lovers talk. I answer emphatically, No. I have not yet lost my poise, and 1 never was a predestined lover. I might easily have gone through life and never given to these subjects an hour's thought. Even now I could quietly decide to go away and take up my old life as I left it. But why should I ? Here is an opportunity to enrich existence immeasurably, and to add to all my chances of success and power. So far from being a drag upon one, a woman like Miss St. John would incite and inspire a man to his best efforts. She would sympathize with him because she could understand his aims and keep pace with his mental advance. Granted that my pros- pects of wmning her are doubtful indeed, still as far as I can see there is a chance. I would not care a straw for a woman that I could have for the asking, — who would take me as a dernier ressort Any woman that I would marry, many others would gladly marry also, and I must take my chance of winning her from them. Such would be my lot under any circumstance, and if I give way to a faint heart now I may as well give up altogether and contejit myself with a library as a bride." Since he felt that he might have taken Hilland into his confidence, he had, in terms substantially the same as those given, imagined his explanation, and he smiled as he portrayed to himself his friend's jocular response, which would have nevertheless its substratum of true sympathy. " Hilland would say," he thought, " ' That is just hke you, Graham. You can't smoke a cigar or make love to a girl without analyzing and philosophizing and arranging all the wisdom of Solomon in favour of your course. Now I would make love to a girl because I loved her, and that would be the end on't.' " Graham was mistaken in this case. Noifn laughing sympathy, but in pale dismay, would Hilland have recei- HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 47 or happi- ! was such y that is y, No. I edestined -nd never m now I y old life portunity o all my ig a drag acite and mpathize and keep my pros- 3 far as I 5traw for 10 would I would id I must ch would way to a ther and and into ) same as miled as response, of true ' That is or make dng and of your e I loved laughing ve recei- ved this revelation, for he was making love to Grace St. John hecause he lovt.d her with all his heart and soul. There had been a time when Graham might have obtain- ed a hint of this had circumstances been difi'erent, and it had occurred quite early in kis acquaintance with Miss St. John. After a day that had been unusually delight- ful and satisfactory he was accompanying the young girl home from his aunt's cottage in the twilight. Out of the complacency of his heart he remarked, half to himself, " If Hilland were only here, my vacation would be com- plete." In the obscurity he could not see her sudden burning flush, and since her hand was not on his arm he had no knowledge of her startled tremor. All that he knew was that she was silent for a moment or two, and then she asked quietly, " Is Mr. Warren Hilland an acquaintance of 3'^ours ? " " Indeed he is not," was the emphatic and hearty re- sponse. " He is the best friend I have in the world, and the best fellow in the world." fatal obscurity of the deepening twilight ! Miss St. John's face was crimson and radiant with pleasure, and could Graham have seen her at that moment he could not have failed to surmise the truth. The young girl was as jealous of her secret as Graham soon became of his, and she only remarked demurely, " I have met Mr. Hilland in society," and then she changed the subject for they were approaching the piazza steps, and she felt that if Hilland should continue the theme of conversation under the light of the chandelier, a telltale face and manner would betray her, in spite of all effort at control. A fragrant blossom from the shrubbery border- ing the walk brushed against Graham's face, and he plucked it, saying, " Beyond that it is fragrant I don't know what this flower is. Will vou take it from me ? " " Yes," she said, hesitatingly, for at that moment her absent -lover had been brought so vividly to her conscious- 1 I H 48 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. ness that her heart recoiled from even the slirrhtest hint ^^'^^T,^'"''^- ^ 7^--^^ ^-^- the thou'; occuried Mr Graham is 7m dearest friend- ther^W JDseivant eyes. It is a woman's delisht to hear h^r overpraised by other men, and Graham's words hTbeen Lsure'd Lr tit T VV"" ^f P"'»«^ bounding, for th'y wJh^ti^y:^^^^^^^^^ Whe fir^'^B r*",/ T '"'"^ *at I didlot "eft Ct;lp".rnrnXrd''Sx^^^^^^^^ strongest, purest emotions of the soul. ^ ^ ' ^Il_ HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 49 ite.st hint 3 thought therefore a-nk with cool her ham saw er to her 3d him a lour door Jeep, full inder his lear her lad been for they ve's par- standing best fel- 5t see it he drew the vis- n itself, deepest, CHAPTER VIL WARREN HILLAND. THE closing scenes of the preceding chapter demand some explanation. Major St. John had spent part of the preceding summer at a seaside resort, and his daugh- ter had inevitably attracted not a little attention. Among those that sought her favour was Warren Hilland, and in accordance with his nature he had teen rather precipitate. He was ardent, impulsive, and, indulged from earliest childhood, he had been spoiled in only one respect — when he wanted anything he wanted it with all his heart and immediately. Miss St. John had seemed to him from the first a pearl among women. As with Graham, circum- stances gave him the opportunity of seeing her daily, and he speedily succumbed to the " visitation of that power " to which the strongest must yield. Almost before the young girl suspected the existf nee of his passion, he de- clared it. She refused him, buo he would take no refusal. Having won from her the admission that he had no fa- voured rival, he lifted his handsome head with a resolu- tion which she secretly admired, and declared that only when convinced that he had become hateful to her would he give up his suit. He was not a man to become hateful to any Wouian. His frank nature was so in accord with hers that she re- sponded In somewhat the same spirit, and said, half laugh- ingly and half tearfully, " Well, if you will, you will, but I can offer no encouragement." And yet his downright earnestness had agitated her deeply, disturbing her maiden serenity, and awaking for the first time the woman within her heart. Hitherto her girlhood's fancies had been like summer zephyrs, disturb- ing but briefly the still, clear waters of her soul; but now ^1 5U HIS SOMBKE ItlVALS. •ho became an enigma to herself as she sJowly ..rew con- scoua of l>o.- own heart and ti.e law of her wonWs na ture to ove and give herself to anothe,- C To Cl r°'l, 1 !>? " '''^°'" '0 """enilcr easily ijoth G.aham and Mrs. Mayburn were right in their e;timate -she would never yield her heart unless eon.pel^d " bv z'l^z^eZr'''''' ^' '"' '"''''''"'"""■ ''"' '" "--"^ The first and chief efTeet of Hilland's impetuous wooing Z^»rt^LaZ r"- ^ i'''°y ^" sen'seo?maTSf Thl .^' , """"S ''''"' ^""^ to fa<=« with her destiny Then h.s openly ayowed siege speedily compelled her ta withdraw her thoughts from^man^n th"^ ab7ra t to h m- ■selt She could not brush him aside bv a quiet nelti^ as she had already done in the case" of sTyeral frher^' Glmging to her old life, howeyer, and fearing to embark on this unknown sea of new experiences, she hesHated and would not commit hei-self until the force that m f„ f lYtl «'™t«'"«i" that which restraTned Heat last had the tact to understand her and to r cognise that h mult ";!" ft'th'"'' "'"^ ''r^' ^ <='>'>^'' -d 'ha ae must, wait tor the woman to deyelop Honefnl .,1 most confident, for success and prosperity\af SLlv" watt^'fc/"!; 'i™ '" ^"'^'"8^' he^LcoXnt^J wait, ihe major had sanctioned his addresses from th. first and he sought to attain his objecrw careftiTand skilfu! approaches. He had shown himself such an Z petuous wooer that she might well doubt his peiSisTence" Sstrld^Td^u'l'tT^^- ^^*^- -"^^^^ th»b/p^;---^^^^^ to h s earnest plees, in which he moyingly por^rlyed his iTteTLr" * '■"'^' njining yiUage, sht^sLKiih 11.5 -uf ""''"'^'""''"y' ""dhe had written so Quietlv Wd sensibly, so nearly as a friend might adr5res.s aQ HIS HOMHRE RIVALS. 51 that sho felt there could be no harm in a correspondence of thus character. During the winter season their letters had grown more frecjuent, and he with consummate skill had gradually tinged his words with a warmer hue. She smiled at his artifice. There was no longer any need of it, for by the wood fire, when all the house was still and wrapped in sleep, she had become fully revealed unto her- self She found that she had a woman's heart, and that she had given it irrevocably to Warren Hi Hand. She did not tell him so, — far from it. The secret seemed so strange, so wonderful, so exquisite in its blend- ing of pain and pleasure, that she did not tell anyone. Hers was not the nature that could babble of the heart's deepest mysteries to half a score of contidents. To him first she would make the supreme avowal that she had be- come his by a sweet compulsion that had at last proved irresistible, and even he must again seek that acknow- ledgement directly, earnestly. He was left to gather what hope he could from the fact that she did not resent his warmer expressions, and this leniency from a girl like Grace St. John meant so much to him that he did gather hope daily. Her letters were not nearly so frequent as his, but when they did come he fairly gloated over them. They were so fresh, crisp, and inspiring that they reminded him of the seaside breezes that had quickened his pulses with health and pleasure during the past summer. She wrote in an easy, gossiping style of the books she was reading, of the good things in the art and iiterary jour- nals, and of such questions of the day as would naturally interest her, and he so gratefully assured her that by this course she kept him within the pale of civilization, that she was induced to write often er. In her efibrt to gather inaterial that would interest him, life gained a new and richer zest, and she learned how the kindling flame with- in her heart could illumine even common things. Each day brought such a wealth of joy that it was like a new and ^lad surprise. The page she read had not only thg f 59 MIS HOMIIUK KIVALN, iutviuMt iiuimd.nl to it, l.y M.n H.iM.or. hut, aim, Mh KiVHtor ol.unu ot hukkonMii^' MuM.^l.tH .,1' lm„ ...• \W I M\ii H{\ ht^iirtH with >Krtn an iiitoivhan^.^ of hookn aiwl P«^';;''''HiKH .,„ori,»>< inmm^r pu,-.suit,s. and t,ho wild u 10 was faiuilinr. It WHS hard for ilillaiid t 'V \\oh\h ooni'oniin^r thai ^uhinit to tl u^ ivvt^nlod tlu> rioh it^wofof I ''''I'^^'^-^Jtv of his lou^^ ,,| «» maintain Ids n^tioonoo or ^onvv. Sho had haii "UMonsoil witli tinu^ and »'^'" ">''"' NO fully that, his I ohtuin tht not for tho wvm'KI would I Nt^paration. and ho lon^od t ovo iO iasl» K ^';;'«'l;l;^to assumnro of his lwH.pin,-,ss. And yot ' ' ' *' »»K'dn ondaii^or his hop.is'hv »no><>^ Ho vonturod. howuo«'Mvn with tho ,|uotation ahvad o Co py of nnv{ sul orsoiuvd. Sint't> si ail w)u>ll vsotpiont lotM\ lu^ ao y givon strongly 10 nuuh> no allusion to this in \u \ov vanotHl tho tido of hu'liui-- I "III oivw nioiv wary, hut assprin^^ y rx^pjvNsod. and words nulicatini)- I MH'aiuo too HtroniT to I »(^ Hlip into his lottoiN in spito'of"iiimsi;i|"'"sJ Wils tH»nuno- a^s truly as si iuvasino- ovidt^not's \>f tl i;; ins passion wt»uld hat 10 saw w u> saw all around hor tho hirvl sanvj Nvitli a fullor u> api^rvmch of sunn in- ntu\ and no honrt iit tho prvKspt>ot or moro joyt>us noto than ill- aixl lut lid h('r and it soiiivo. <^ trait, it WHH ll'tTont to ln*8 (iod in L^rowrj rutlmr infuMjiK'iit, not from wanjn/jj rri<liiloHO[>hI/4*, at (ir«t. Hut liin jiunt waM right: h<: <;ould not daily hon him hh Ililhuid'H h(iHt frittnd, hIk; gav<; him a g<;nuinlant<;d it in tlje liid- d(iri root that (irnt devitlopH, anea«-e whiclf no s.atue in the galleries of Kurope had ever imparted He wondered at all this, for to him it wks indeed a seemed to have floated away to tm indefinite distance existence" Z" Z"^"'u\'° * new life.-a new phase Tf existence. In the exaltation of the hour he felt that whatever might be the result, he had received a levelp tion of capabilities in his nature of which he hid not dreamed, and which at the time promised to compensate for any consequent reaction. He*^ exulted i^ hT human organism as a master in music might rejoice ove? the dk covery of an instrument fitted to Lpond perflctlv to his gemus Indeed the thought crossed his S more ?han once that day that the marvel of marvels w^ Zt me ° clay could be so highly organized. It was not his tS mg nerves alone which Suggested this thnnD-hl „77i pure mobile face of the younf Sri so fir reZvt:^ f any supstion of earthlLss^b^t ; ^eXl ng de,^:" .JtL "^'^f^ *eir deitination in safety. The June brow^of th"" '^ )r ^^^ "^"y V^'"^ attractive! but the brow of the swelling hill with its wide out-look its back be desiied. The horses, wer. soon contentedly munching HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. 61 tneir oats, and yet their stamping feet and switching tails indicated that even for the brute creation there is evei some alloy. Graham, ho^vever, thought that fortune had at last given him one perfect day. There was no per- ceptible cloud. The present was so eminently satisfactory that it banished the past, or, if remembered, it served as a foil. The future promised a chance for happiness that seemed immeasurable, although the horizon of his brief existence was so near ; for he felt that with her as his own, human life with all its limitations was a richer gift than he had ever imagined possible. And yet, like a slight and scarcely heard discord, the thought would come occasionally, " Since so much is possible, more ought to be possible. With such immense capability for life as I am conscious of to-day, how is it that this life is but a passing and perishing manifestation ? " Such impressions took no definite form, however, but merely passed through the dim background of his con- sciousness, while he gave his whole soul to the effort to make the day one that from its unalloyed pleasure could not fail to recall him to the memory of Miss St. John. He believed himself to be successful, for he felt as if in- spired. He was ready with a quick reply to all her mirthful sallies, and he had the tact to veil his delicate flattery under a manner and mode of speech that suggest- ed rather than revealed his admiration. She was honestly delighted with him and his regard, as she understood it, and she congratulated herself ^again and again that Hill- and's friend was a man that she also would find unusually agreeable. His .[indness to her father had warmed her heart toward him, and now his kindness and interest were genuine, although at first somewhat hollow and as- sumed. Graham had become a decided favourite with the old gentleman, for he had proved the most efficient ally that Grace had ever gained in quickening the pace of heavy- footed Time. Even the veteran's chilled blood seemed to C2 HIS SOMBRE RIVALS. mI M '"''"™<='^» "f tf-e day. and his gallantry toward, Mrs. Mayburn wa.s more pronounced than n.sual "We too, will be .voung people once more," he remarked " for' the opportunity umy not come to us again." ' 1 hey discussed their lunch with zest, they smiled into aTflutifedf^flP '°^u*' *\' ^'P'^y' that occasion- ally fluti'red the leaves above their heads; but deen in iot th:rfo™reT""-\*''^f °' *°"«'''' •'"p-"- " joj s, that torm the tragic background of all human life i he old major gave some reminiscences of his youthfui campaigning. In his cheerful mood his presenEn of them was in harmony with the sunny afte" The bright sides of his experiences were toward Ms audito^ on th^e tth* ''^frr'f'^^'^- ''S''"^ and death t"e on the farther side ! And of these he could never be quite unconscious, even while awakening laughter at the comic episodes of war. * "uguiei ai; ii.e , Mra. Mayburn seemed her plain-spoken cheerv self intent only on making the most of this genkf h^ur In' hone'thT"/ )V'^'-- r-^ y^' ^•'^ ^''^ wftching over a hope that she felt might make her last days her best days She wa« almost praying that the fah^girl whom tl and 'fiuThe \-ur ""f ^'">"" *>>« sleeof he" age, and fall m her childless heart, a place that had ever been an aching void. Miss St. John was too preoccuried thouiniir^'"-,^"* '"''■ n''^ -as ever pres^ent! though friend 1 - T^T ^I^'y- ^"' *^ ^'^ *" Graham his triend, ana nad -.Iready accepted him also as her mo^t agreeable friend liking him k the better for hlrapZ ent dispo.sition to appeal only to her fancy and Sn instead ot her heart. She saw well enough that helTkS her peeedmgly, but HiUand's impetuous wooing and im- passioned words had made her feel that there wts an Tn- fimte difference between liking and lovis- and X. pictured to herself the pleasure°they would^both eniov when finding that their^seemin^ly ^haZ aeJulS^ HIS S0M13RK IlIVALS. 68 Tf AS but preparation tor the closer ties which their seT- eral relations to Hilland could not fail to occasion. The object of this kindly but most temperate regard smiled into her eyes, chatted easily on any topic suggest' ed, and appeared entirely satisfied ; but was all the while conscious of a growing need which, denied, would impov- erish his life, making it, brief even as he deemed it to be, an intolerable burden. But on this summer afternoon hope was in the ascendant, and he saw no reason why the craving of all that was best and noblest in his nature should not be met. When a supreme affection first mas- ters the heart it often carries with it a certain assurance that there must be a response, that when so much is given by a subtile, irresistible, unexpected impulse, the one re- ceiving should, sooner or later, by some law of correspon- dence, be inclined to return a similar regard. All living things in nature, when not interfered with, at the right time and in the right way, sought and found what was essential to the completion of their life, and he was a part of nature. According to the law of his own indivi- duality he had yielded to Miss St. John's power. His reason had kept pace with his heart. He had advanced to his present attitude toward her like a man, and had not been driven to it by the passion of ana\iimal. There- fore he was hopeful, self-complacent, and resolute. He not only proposed to win the girl he loved, cost what it might in time and effort, but in the exalted mood of the hour felt that he could and must win her. She, all unconscious, smiled genially, and indeed seemed the very embodiment of mirth. Her talk was bi-illiant, yet interspersed with strange lapses that began to puzzle him.^ Meanwhile she scarcely saw him, gave him but the passing attention with which one looks upon an absorb- ing story, and all the time the letter against which her heart pressed seemed alive and endowed with the power to make each throb more glad and full of deep content. How isolated and inscrutable is the mystery of each human life! Here were four people stronwly interest?d f)4 HtS SOMBRE RIVALS. stracteir ''f^ ''^<'''"<"' ''"-^y *» grew more .silent anrl ab- gro1.\nreMnv"th?'''."t'"''- 1"