by Fitzjames O'Brien

I

PREDESTINED MARRIAGE

Elsie and I were married in week rather strange match, and that neighbors shook their heads over it and said that no good would come The way it came was thus

I loved Elsie Burns for two years, she refused me three times no more help asking her me, chance offered, than help breathing or living To love her seemed natural as existence no shame, only sorrow, when she rejected me; no shame either when I renewed my suit The neighbors called me mean-spirited up with any girl that had refused me as often as Elsie Burns had done; but what cared I neighbors ? black weather, sun is under cloud every day for month, any reason why the poor farmer hope blue sky plentiful burst of warm light dark month is over ? I never entirely lost heart , however, mistake me mope, and moan, and grow pale, manner of poetical lovers No such thing I went bravely business, ate and drank as usual, laughed laugh went round, and slept soundly, and woke refreshed Yet all I loved--desperately loved--Elsie Burns I went wherever I hoped to meet her, but haunt her with my attentions I behaved to her as any friendly young man behaved: I met her and parted from her cheerfully She was good girl, too, and behaved well She had me in her power-- how woman in Elsie's situation mortified man in mine ! --but she never took the slightest advantage of it She danced with me when I asked her, and had no foolish fears of allowing me her home of nights, after ball was over, or of wandering with me pleasant New England fields wild flowers made the paths like roads in fairyland

several disastrous occasions when I presented my suit it simply and manfully, telling her that I loved her , and would do everything her happy if be my wife no fulsome protestations, and once allude to suicide She, other hand, calmly and gravely thanked me good opinion, but same calm gravity rejected me I used her that grieved; that press her; that wait for some change in her feelings She had an esteem , say, but marry me I never asked her for any reasons I hold it an insult to woman of sense to demand her reasons an occasion Enough that she then wish my wife; so old intercourse went on--she cordial and polite as ever, I never moment doubting day would come when my roof tree would shelter her, and smile together over our fireside at my long and indefatigable wooing

confess that at times little jealous--jealous of man named Hammond Brake, who lived village weird, saturnine fellow, no friends young men neighborhood, but who loved alone, books own thoughts for company studious and, I believe, learned young man, and no avoiding the fact that he possessed considerable influence over Elsie She liked in corners, or in secluded nooks forest, when we all went out blackberry gathering or picnicking She read books that her, and whenever discussion arose relative to any topic higher than those ordinary ones we usually canvassed, Elsie appealed to Brake opinion, as disciple consulting beloved master I confess that for time I feared this man as rival 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 love him His influence over her, nevertheless, was none the less decided

--as all along--Elsie yielded considered most eligible match, being tolerably rich, and Elsie's parents were most anxious me for son-in-law good- looking and well educated enough, old people, I believe, pertinaciously dinned all my advantages into my little girl's ears She battled against the marriage with strange persistence--all the more strange because she never alleged the slightest personal dislike ; but after vigorous cannonading from her own garrison ( , proud , in join), she hoisted the white flag and surrendered

very happy I had no fear about being able to gain Elsie's heart --indeed --that she had liked me all along, her refusals were dictated by other feelings than those of personal nature I only guessed then before all

day approached wedding Elsie appear at all stricken with woe The village gossips the smallest opportunity for establishing romance, with compulsory bride heroine Yet it seemed something strange about her vague terror appeared to beset her Even in her most loving moments, when resting in my arms, shrink away from me, and shudder some cold wind had suddenly struck upon her caused by no aversion was evident, for the moment after, amends, one voluntary kisses sweeter than all others

Once only did she show any emotion solemn question was put to her, the answer to to decide her destiny, her hand-- in mine--tremble As she gasped out convulsive "Yes," she gave one brief, imploring glance gallery right I placed the ring upon her finger, and looked direction she gazed Hammond Brake's dark countenance was visible looking over the railings, 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 smiling--somewhat sadly--through her maiden's tears

The months went by quickly, and we were very happy I learned that Elsie really loved me, and love for her she had proof say that no cloud upon our little horizon one, but so small, and appeared so seldom, that I scarcely feared it The old vague terror seemed still to attack my wife If know her pure as heaven's snow, said REMORSE At times she scarcely appeared to hear what , so deep her reverie Nor did those moods seem pleasant ones When rapt , her sweet features would contract, in hopeless effort to solve some mysterious problem sad pain, as it were, quivered in her white, drooped eyelids I particularly remarked: SHE SPENT HOURS GAZING WEST small room house whose windows, every evening, flamed red light setting sun Here Elsie would sit and gaze westward, so motionless and entranced seemed her soul was going down day Her conduct was curiously varied She apparently loved me , yet there were times when she absolutely avoided me her strolling fields, and left the house intention of joining her, but the moment she caught sight of me approaching she has fled neighboring copse, with so evident wish to avoid me absolutely cruel

the old jealousy of Hammond Brake crossed my mind, but obliged to dismiss it as frivolous suspicion Nothing in my wife's conduct justified any such theory Brake visited us week-- , when I returned from my business village, I used him seated parlor with Elsie, reading some favorite author, or conversing on some novel literary topic; but no disposition to avoid my scrutiny Brake seemed as matter of right; perfect unconsciousness of furnishing any grounds for suspicion he acted was sufficient answer to my mind for any wild doubts that my heart suggested

Still but remark that Brake's visits were in some manner connected with Elsie's melancholy days when he had appeared and departed, the gloom seemed to hang more thickly than ever over her head She sat, occasions, all the evening western window, silently gazing cleft hills through which the sun passed repose