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sense to demand her reasons on such an occasion。 Enough for me
that she did not then wish to be my wife； so that the old
intercourse went onshe cordial and polite as ever； I never for
one moment doubting that the day would come when my roof tree would
shelter her； and we should smile together over our fireside at my
long and indefatigable wooing。
I will confess that at times I felt a little jealousjealous of a
man named Hammond Brake； who lived in our village。 He was a weird；
saturnine fellow； who made no friends among the young men of the
neighborhood； but who loved to go alone； with his books and his own
thoughts for company。 He was a studious and； I believe； a learned
young man； and there was no avoiding the fact that he possessed
considerable influence over Elsie。 She liked to talk with him in
corners； or in secluded nooks of the forest； when we all went out
blackberry gathering or picnicking。 She read books that he gave
her； and whenever a discussion arose relative to any topic higher
than those ordinary ones we usually canvassed； Elsie appealed to
Brake for his opinion； as a disciple consulting a beloved master。
I confess that for a time I feared this man as a rival。 A little
closer observation； however； convinced me that my suspicions were
unfounded。 The relations between Elsie and Hammond Brake were
purely intellectual。 She reverenced his talents and acquirements；
but she did not love him。 His influence over her； nevertheless；
was none the less decided。
In timeas I thought all alongElsie yielded。 I was what was
considered a most eligible match； being tolerably rich； and Elsie's
parents were most anxious to have me for a son…in…law。 I was good…
looking and well educated enough； and the old people； I believe；
pertinaciously dinned all my advantages into my little girl's ears。
She battled against the marriage for a long time with a strange
persistenceall the more strange because she never alleged the
slightest personal dislike to me； but after a vigorous cannonading
from her own garrison （in which； I am proud to say； I did not in
any way join）； she hoisted the white flag and surrendered。
I was very happy。 I had no fear about being able to gain Elsie's
heart。 I thinkindeed I knowthat she had liked me all along；
and that her refusals were dictated by other feelings than those of
a personal nature。 I only guessed as much then。 It was some time
before I knew all。
As the day approached for our wedding Elsie did not appear at all
stricken with woe。 The village gossips had not the smallest
opportunity for establishing a romance； with a compulsory bride for
the heroine。 Yet to me it seemed as if there was something strange
about her。 A vague terror appeared to beset her。 Even in her most
loving moments； when resting in my arms； she would shrink away from
me； and shudder as if some cold wind had suddenly struck upon her。
That it was caused by no aversion to me was evident； for she would
the moment after； as if to make amends； give me one of those
voluntary kisses that are sweeter than all others。
Once only did she show any emotion。 When the solemn question was
put to her； the answer to which was to decide her destiny； I felt
her handwhich was in minetremble。 As she gasped out a
convulsive 〃Yes；〃 she gave one brief； imploring glance at the
gallery on the right。 I placed the ring upon her finger； and
looked in the direction in which she gazed。 Hammond Brake's dark
countenance was visible looking over the railings； and his eyes
were bent sternly on Elsie。 I turned quickly round to my bride；
but her brief emotion； of whatever nature； had vanished。 She was
looking at me anxiously； and smilingsomewhat sadlythrough her
maiden's tears。
The months went by quickly； and we were very happy。 I learned that
Elsie really loved me； and of my love for her she had proof long
ago。 I will not say that there was no cloud upon our little
horizon。 There was one； but it was so small； and appeared so
seldom； that I scarcely feared it。 The old vague terror seemed
still to attack my wife。 If I did not know her to be pure as
heaven's snow； I would have said it was a REMORSE。 At times she
scarcely appeared to hear what I said； so deep would be her
reverie。 Nor did those moods seem pleasant ones。 When rapt in
such； her sweet features would contract； as if in a hopeless effort
to solve some mysterious problem。 A sad pain； as it were； quivered
in her white； drooped eyelids。 One thing I particularly remarked：
SHE SPENT HOURS AT A TIME GAZING AT THE WEST。 There was a small
room in our house whose windows； every evening； flamed with the red
light of the setting sun。 Here Elsie would sit and gaze westward；
so motionless and entranced that it seemed as if her soul was going
down with the day。 Her conduct to me was curiously varied。 She
apparently loved me very much； yet there were times when she
absolutely avoided me。 I have seen her strolling through the
fields； and left the house with the intention of joining her； but
the moment she caught sight of me approaching she has fled into the
neighboring copse； with so evident a wish to avoid me that it would
have been absolutely cruel to follow。
Once or twice the old jealousy of Hammond Brake crossed my mind；
but I was obliged to dismiss it as a frivolous suspicion。 Nothing
in my wife's conduct justified any such theory。 Brake visited us
once or twice a weekin fact； when I returned from my business in
the village； I used to find him seated in the parlor with Elsie；
reading some favorite author； or conversing on some novel literary
topic； but there was no disposition to avoid my scrutiny。 Brake
seemed to come as a matter of right； and the perfect
unconsciousness of furnishing any grounds for suspicion with which
he acted was a sufficient answer to my mind for any wild doubts
that my heart may have suggested。
Still I could not but remark that Brake's visits were in some
manner connected with Elsie's melancholy。 On the days when he had
appeared and departed； the gloom seemed to hang more thickly than
ever over her head。 She sat； on such occasions； all the evening at
the western window； silently gazing at the cleft in the hills
through which the sun passed to his repose。
At last I made up my mind to speak to her。 It seemed to me to be
my duty； if she had a sorrow； to partake of it。 I approached her
on the matter with the most perfect confidence that I had nothing
to learn beyond the existence of some girlish grief； which a
confession and a few loving kisses would exorcise forever。
〃Elsie；〃 I said to her one night； as she sat； according to her
custom； gazing westward； like those maidens of the old ballads of
chivalry watching for the knights that never came〃Elsie； what is
the matter with you； darling？ I have noticed a strange melancholy
in you for some time past。 Tell me all about it。〃
She turned quickly round and