Theon. A tale of the American civil war

I. Maud Kutherford's Journal

" He came this evening ; — to-morrow, ice go.

Ever thus has it been ; here and there, to and fro,

Our pathways have wandered, yet never once met.

Have the changes of years taught his heart to forget ?

Forget ! I have revelled where Pleasure held sway ;

I have laughed, sung, and danced, and the world calls me

gay;

I have reigned over hearts, — yet in each silent hour That memory comes with its maddening power. It is love, crushed and dead, — turned in mockery to hate ; And it floats o'er my path like a grim-visaged fate."

II. Theon

Still writing? Excuse me. We are waiting for you. The moonlight is lovely : — enchanting the view. Why, cousin ! how pale ! Are you ill ?

1* 5

MAUD.

Not at all.

Only weary, Tbeon.

TIIEON.

Will you go to the ball ?

MAUD.

Perhaps.

THEON.

I entreat you, then, come for this walk. The air is refreshing ; — a good social talk AVill rally your spirits and banish the blues. Come ! Uncle is waiting ; — you must not refuse ; — He is on the piazza.

MAUD.

In company?

Alone, and impatient.

THEON.

MAUD.

No:

At once I will go.

III

Draping her shawl with a rare, queenly grace, And banishing each sign of grief from her face, She followed Theon. and her secret was hushed. And the dark, haunting memory silently crushed.

IV

Niagara by moonlight. The mad torrent roars And leaps o'er the rough rocks above, till it pours Its mighty strength out, in one wild fearful leap, Then surges and groans in the terrible deep.

Floating above, like some pale phantom shroud, Half lingering, half flying, the fleecy mist-cloud. The moonbeams have clothed it with soft silver light, While the torrent, subdued, pays its homage to night.

V. Together the cousins gazed out on the stream

In mute admiration. The moon's fairy gleam

Fell full o'er Theon, thus revealing her face.

Expressive in earnestness, crowned with the grace

Of pure, happy womanhood, ere the dark leaf

Had been turned that would give for life's sunshine life'

grief Her soul drank the scene with a rapture that thrilled And awed her to silence. The dark eyes were filled. And her breathing came quick, as the picture she drew By light elfin touch floated past to her view.

VI

In the face of her cousin, half turned, there was told A spirit defiant, and haughty, and cold. Yet one could but mark in the quick, restless glance A craving unfed.

MAUD.

This is Nature's romance.

Such is life's mockery : fragile and fair As the beautiful mist, hov'ring soft in the air. Brightest hopes float around, and yet, one look below Reveals the abyss where the mad waters flow ; And the visions we love pass away on the cloud. While yet others come, — weaving each its own shroud.

VII. Quickly answered Theon

" There undoubtedly lives In each heart a motive, an impulse that gives To life a reality. Is this in vain ? Each emotion a dream ? every craving a pain ?"

MAUD.

You are meeting the world. But a year or two since I trusted life's promise. Time served to convince Myself of the error, and holds to my view But hollowness where I had thought all was true. Man meets with his fellows, — is courteous and sad As occasion requires ; ofttimes smiles and is glad ; Yet far 'neath the mask that he wears to the world Lies a heart drifting, trustless, — its mockery hurled By the throng in his face. Borne along on the tide Of the fate-impelled stream does his good impulse glide ; And nothing is left that is steadfast and pure, No friendship to strengthen, — no love to endure.

YIII.

THEON.

Hark ! the roar of the waters ! Yon torrent, whose glory Man e'er loves to yield, strives to tell its wild story ;* — A tale of devotion, unswerving, and true ; A legend, perchance, and yet holding in view The heart's full fidelity. Years long since dead, Ere the white man had come, knew the red warrior's tread, As he roamed unrestrained through his own forest land ; And pilgrimage brought to this wild spot some band.

•■■ Guide- Book.

TIIEON.

Came yearly a night when their council-fires burned, And the face of each brave was to yon torrent turned For the lot must be cast on that night to decide Which maiden is fairest and fittest to guide O'er the rocks where the water in mad fury falls, The tribe's yearly gift to the Spirit who calls ! This evening, methought that the maidens I saw. Assembled in waiting, — their lips sealed with awe ; For this honor, the greatest their tribe can bestow, Must hurl the fair guide to the dread depths below. In silence the last lot is drawn, and of all, The fairest one there has received the low call. 'Tis the stern chieftain's dau2:;hter, his idol in life, The one living being whose voice, from the strife Which means to him honor, falls soft on his ear, And wooes him to peace and a love that is dear. Father and daughter together have heard The time-honored summons. A chief may be stirred By no tender feelings. The maiden descends From a long line of warriors, and meekly she bends To the law of her tribe. Perchance e'en as now The moonlight fell soft over leaflet and bough, And poured its pure rays on yon turbulent wave, So soon to bear youth to its terrible grave. From the edge of yon isle, fancy paints to my view, Floating out on the tide, a white, tiny canoe, Full laden with flowers and fruits ripe and rare, And in it a maiden, in robes pure and fair. As if for her bridal dressed. Calmly she guides The boat to the breakers, and silently rides To her martyr-like doom. No pausing, no fear ; No last, lingering look ; neither murmur nor tear ;

Tliougli the moon that we love pictures bright the dread

verge, And the mad rapids chant (hear it now !) the last dirge ! But a loud cry 'is heard, for another boat speeds On its way through the rapids. The mariner heeds Nor shouts of his people, nor look of distress That the maiden bestows. The warrior's redress From his forefathers' laws is asserted by love : E'en the Indian, while stifling his sorrow, may prove His life's sole devotion. They reach yonder brink, Exchange one intense look of love, and then sink With the force of the plunge in abysses below, And father and daughter have shared the death-throe !

IX. Theon's voice hushed, and her tender eyes glistened

Her hearers had watched her bright face while they listened ;

And they read there illumed by the fervor of youth

Her earnest devotion, — her reverence for truth.

The legend was more to her, far, than a story ;

It bore to her mind all the grandeur and glory

Of man's power to love. They had felt as she spoke.

This one thought was uppermost. Maud, at last, broke

The quiet that reigned.

X. Maud

For an idolized child, A father, perchance, may have been rash and wild. When maddened by grief. 'Tis the one lasting love ; The only, I ween, that, when full tried, may prove Unselfish and true.

Said her uncle :

'' What, then, Of love that is pledged between women and men ? Have you no f\\ith in the bride's holy vow ? No trust in true manhood ? no impulse to bow To that peerless devotion, that love all divine, Which legend and verse yield the heart's sacred shrine ?"

XI. She answered him coldly

" 'Tis well to rehearse A tried, faithful love : 'tis the language of verse ; But life has another. Its fitful romance Is worn down and wearied, and hearts must advance : They pass from one love to another to find Each new one has left its excitement behind. Much that is given to Love's fabled name Is born "in man's greater desire for fame. And oft, were Ambition and Love face to face, Ambition would triumph, — bid Love yield it place !"

XII

Her uncle was startled ; each fierce, bitter word Came strangely from one who as yet had ne'er heard Other words than were pleasing. On him seemed the

years To have borne with a weight, and their clouds and their

tears Had left dismal traces. With quick, eager look He scanned the fair face, which, a closely-sealed book, No secrets betrayed. But his own face grew pale And his full brow contracted, as if the dark trail Of some memory crossed him.

XIII. Theon looked aghast

" Maud !" she exclaimed, " when the bright years are

past, — The years of our youth, when we do, think, and feel All that clothes an old age with its woe or its weal ; If the words you have spoken must prove themselves true, And the years shall but serve all our weal to undo ; If life is a mockery, ties quickly broken, And pledges but hollow, that seem fair when spoken ; If time brings it thus, it were better that youth Should lay itself down in the grave of its truth ! No ! Love is eternal. Ambition is mortal ; And, sooner or later, must reach the closed portal, Before which it falls in its dire helplessness. While its harvest shall jneld it but bitter distress."

MAUD.

You speak with an earnestness rare for your years.

Have you learned the full meaning of love ? Cease your fears !

Time has turned me a page. Love may promise, but reaps

A desolate harvest. A strange passion keeps

Its sway over hearts. Woman reigns their known queen ;

And each has her votaries flitting between

The present and past. Woman triumphs to crush.

And phantom hopes beckon us on.

XIV. Theon

Cousin ! Hush !

For shame for those words ! For to woman 'tis o;iven To cherish most sacred that dear gift of Heaven.

'Tis her duty to guard it, and shield it, and keep

Love's light burning bright, where the darkness lies deep.

In my girlhood I paused and with reverence heard,

And reverently uttered that talisman word.

While I know not its meaning, yet, reverently now,

There is that in my heart to its presence will bow.

Though its mysteries hidden lie far from my view.

There is that in my nature asserts it is true ;

And my whole spirit bends to this unexplained love,

And yields it the homage due truth from above.

XV

" Bravely spoken, my darling !" Clyde Rutherford cried. " Be those words your life's motto, that spirit your pride ! See, the park is deserted, and soft music falls On the quiet of night, and to revelry calls. Companions await. Maud, a young friend of mine Will meet us to-night. Must he bow to the shrine Of your phantom?"

Said she :

" Time will prove ; we'll away."

He answered her, slowly :

" Time proves, and for aye."

Canto Second. I

A IJRIGIIT-LIGIITED parlor, where Queen Pleasure dwells,

And sweet, tender melody lingers, and swells,

And floats on the air, where its soft echoed hush

Still renders more fearful the rapids' mad rush.

Beauty is there in its unrivalled power.

And lends its full charm to each quick-fleeting hour ;

Light feet trip merrily on in the dance ;

Anon, joyous greetings the pleasures enhance.

II.

But Maud here is missing. The long-assumed air,

And quick, sparkling laugh, hiding traces of care,

For one time have failed her. Unable to meet

The man she had loved, she has chosen retreat

From the world to her chamber. For, reaching far back

Past the scenes and the changes that crowd in the track

Of a few fleeting years, she has lived once again

Her beautiful dream. But, alas ! now the pain

That followed its brightness has deep sunken down.

And its wild throbs of anguish seem ever the frown

That shades her young life.

III.

In the years that were past, The lot of her parents abroad had been cast. 14

Yet the preference and usage in early years gained,

Unaltered by distance or time, were retained.

Their daughter, imbibing that love of romance,

And sparkling vivacity native to France,

Was granted that freedom of action we see

With Americans only. Chaperoned and yet free.

Her light restraint placed not in utter defiance

The high social custom : yet taught that reliance

On self, maidens learn, when permitted to use

Individual judgment, their future to choose.

Thus it came, at the time when the young girl first feels

The heart of a woman ; when instinct reveals

A nature expanding, — a mind knowing higher

And nobler emotions, which thrill and inspire ;

At her feet there was laid, as an offering pure,

A rich, manly love, having strength to endure.

But the wakened emotion was scarcely in flame

Ere smothered by one wearing statelier name.

It was not enough she should know herself loved, —

That love must be tested, its ardor be proved.

Hence the lover was spurned with indifferent air.

And the days rolled along. Though no traces of care

Were seen in Maud's face, yet her young heart grew

cold.

And hardened, and bitter, and seared, like the old Forest leaf when it falls. Imperious, still. Her fault was unseen : but defiant, her will Condemned to the grave every once cherished trust, And mocked at the love that her folly made dust. Turning for respite again to the world. She launched on society's wave, and was hurled Here and there by the tide; and her smouldered desire For love, burning on in unquenchable fire.

Seemed now but the craving for homage. High place Was given the proud, social queen. Yet that face — The one face of all, that had wielded such power O'er the tale of her life — never had, till that hour. Again crossed her path. But to-night it has risen Like some silent spectre escaped from the prison Where a dead past had doomed it, and bursting control, Her long-smothered passion has swept o'er her soul. She dare not confront it ! One touch of Jus hand. One glance of his eye, she would lose her command. Had his love been enduring, the test that she craved Had provoked perseverance, — her heart had been saved. But to-night there was merriment dwelt in his eye. And she felt, could the past be recalled, no reply Would come from his heart e'en as one brief regret. Could that love be true that could love and forget ? Perchance it might be, as the weary years rolled, Another would hear the same words that he told So gently to her ; and another be glad, E'en as she had once been. Ah ! the thought made her

mad : It burned in her brain, and it rankled her heart. And pierced her soul through like some keen, fiery dart. 'Twas love that she trifled with, — love she defied. Whose embers the ashes of years could not hide.

IV.

A riddle is woman. Of what rank or nation.

There exists in her mind, by instinctive creation,

An ardent desire to reign. Not by might, —

Such power were worthless. She craves as her right

A full homage given, and loyally kept.

Was it not even this, when the old serpent crept

In the garden and won Mother Eve, that did move

Her to tempt and win Adam ? Would he for her love

Do this thing ? And he did. Woman rarely commands

By imperious sway ; for her delicate hands

Are too slight and weak the strong sceptre to wield ;

She guides it unseen, yet the power it may yield

Is none the less sweet. Woman speaks to the soul,

And wakens emotions to feel her control.

While man bends submissive. This instinct is given

In kindness to her by a wise, tender Heaven.

It is not alone the demand of Ambition ;

That woman has lived in most royal position,

Even ruling a nation, who turned from it all,

From the glitter and pomp of display to this call

Of her heart ; 'neath its sway tyrannized here and there

In petty caprices, forgetting the care

And grandeur of state.

y.

It means simply this : That woman, to bask in a sunshine of bliss. Must love, — be loved truly ; for her sake alone ; Must feel herself absolute queen on her throne. Her subject's obedience to each light desire Proves the homage she wins ; hence she prizes it higher Than the monarch his fame. Each impulse is spent, The tenor of life is instinctively bent, Unconsciously oft though it be, thus to gain What thrills her with pleasure, whose absence is pain. Be her love true and pure, concentrated, and brought In its trust to one heart, — then alike 'twill be fraught With good both to woman and man ; giving more, As its value is prized, of the blessing in store;

2*

Constantly winning an homage whose worth

O'ershadows that given all monarchs of earth.

Yet again be her craving for love undefined,

Disregarded, unhallowed, 'twill render her mind

Restless, roving, uneasy : 'twill eagerly feed

Every thought of ambition or self. In its greed

It will roam unrestrained ; seeking no resting-place, —

Finding none, — aimlessly turn and retrace

The paths it has trodden. This phantom Maud saw

And strove to appease. For the grandeur and awe

Of the spirit of Love lay concealed 'neath the tomb,

Where Selfishness nourished its germ into bloom ;

And gave to the woman that great sense of power

Over hearts that had proven her terrible dower ;

Making thus of a blessing a curse that should haunt

Her poor aching heart in unsatisfied want.

O'er her nature untamed her imperative will,

Impelled by the longing her heart's void to fill.

Arose in defiance, and trampling on fate,

As rich treasure gathered a fierce, burning hate ;

A hate that should conquer and bring to her feet

His heart crushed and bleeding. Revenge would be

sweet Could her hand sweep the strings of his life with a strain Whose wail would re-echo her own throbbing pain.

VI.

She passed to her window, threw open the sash, And heard o'er the roar of the mad waters' dash The sound of the music's low ripple and trill. As she seated herself on the broad window-sill, The balcony swarmed with the dancers who sought The cool air of nie^ht with renewed viaor fraudit.

She watched them awhile, — and anon the low hum

Of their voices arose : then unbidden would come

The half-denied wish that she there might discern

That voice whose echoes would ever return.

She starts as she marks in the moon's mellow light,

Scarce revealed from the shadow, then merged in the

night, The form so well known. 'Tis the same manly face, The same haughty carriage and dignified grace. And with him ? — Theon ! She who dared to defenrd Her maidenly trust in emotions that lend New impulse to life. Could she see Theon bear The treasure that mocked at her own heart's despair ?

VII.

Theon, yet unconscious of clouds she had raised,

Was radiant and happy. The beauty all praised

Was that of pure loveliness, gently appealing

At once to the heart. It was spirit revealing

Itself in the features, and screened 'neath the veil

Of utter unconsciousness. Life wove a tale

Like pictures from dreamland, and Hope painted there

A future all brilliant, and peaceful, and fair.

Tenderly shielded and screened from its strife,

Her earliest maidenhood looked upon life

As childhood had found it. Unknown, aught but truth.

Seemed all things reflected and brightened by youth.

Never dreaming of conquest, she reigned, and was glad

That all things were happy, that nothing seemed sad.

VIII.

Her champion in childhood, — Maud's hero in scenes That memory treasured like weird, broken dreams,

Stands near in attendance. One reads in his face, Decisive in outline, firm, manly in trace, A sternness and strength, by which one is impressed That manhood will come from life's struggle, confessed By foemen, the victor.

IX.

Montgomery, from college, Had started life's journey equipped well with knowledge. With resolute will he had turned to his books, Exploring the hidden recesses and nooks Which Science, enticingly, scarcely reveals, Inviting the search for the store she conceals. In his own eager nature, he knew not a pause Until he had mastered each precept and cause : And he stepped out in life from the closed college-door With that same restless longing to seek and explore ; Yet having no purpose, save but to achieve Whate'er he began ; nor would he receive Aught else but a victory. Gifted with health. And favored by fortune with bountiful wealth. He started as zealously now in pursuit Of pleasure, as years since he sought for the root Of old Latin verbs.

X.

In the earliest flush Of manhood's full prime, when his buoyant blood's rush Impelled his emotions, he felt the first glow Of what is called love; and every wild throe Was greeted and nursed in the heart's bounding gladness, Till the pleasure was pain, and the ecstasy madness. He off"ered his love, and then stood back aghast. As the treasure, when won, was aside lightly cast.

XI.

This wantonly heartless and frivolous act

Had burst on his chivalrous soul, a stern fact ;

And forth from him brought upon all of the sex

The judgment and censure due one. Not to vex

And wholly outrage his loved ideas of woman,

(Hitherto deemed more angelic than human,)

He chose not to think of the blight cast upon her,

By charging her, trusted, with full-meant dishonor;

But, rather, excused her by lack of capacity

To feel, and to cherish with steadfast tenacity,

As it were, life itself, passions grand that control

The heart of the man and burn deep in his soul.

Years had passed since that time, and yet from his seclusion,

Enveloped in self, he had nursed his delusion.

He looked upon woman as unfit to reason ;

A child who will treasure each joy for a season;

By right of her own weaker nature appealing

To man for protection ; yet never once feeling

A man's stronger motive that urged the world's strife,

And held name and honor far dearer than life.

The storm-burst once over, he passed on his way,

Never pausing to gather the fragments that lay

All scattered around. So had chivalrous trust

And reverence for woman been crumbled to dust.

XII.

For the first time, to-night, since the years long ago, When he left his young playmate, a mere boy aglow With the bright hopes of life, he had met with that friend And companion of boyhood. What potence to rend

Old attachments have years ! Face to face with the world, He had seen boyish sentiments, lon<2; cherished, hurled One by one to the ground. From their ruins had risen A spirit of strength that had chafed as in prison, 'Neath customs enforced by Society's laws ; But knowing no purpose, he guessed not the cause, Only mocked its results, and held all in derision, And drew within self with more careful precision. Could his boyhood's companion, by right of the dower To a true woman given, possess now the power To open that door that his own hands had closed, And waken the strength that so long had reposed ?

XIII.

Swiftly the hours of pleasure wore on, And he lingered unconscious of all near Theon, Till her uncle had bade her remember the bloom And freshness of youth must soon perish in gloom If much overtaxed. Wishing, then, a " Good-night !" He watched her light form as it passed out of sight Like a beautiful dream. For he knew that a spell Her presence had wrought ; how, he scarcely could tell ; Yet there rose in his heart, like the memories of youth, A mute recognition of woman's full truth.

XIV.

The revellers passed from the room one by one ;

The lights were extinguished, the pleasure task done ;

The gay voices hushed, and the Spirit of Sleep

Keigned over the place. All was still, save the deep.

Angry roar of the waters. And yet in unrest

Two persons were thinking. Tiie two who expressed

Their great unbelief in Love's power to control, And wake from both sexes, soul's answer to soul. Two idols were shattered. The man's boasted strength Was put to the shame. Woman's conquest at length Had suffered defeat. And Theon, who had taught, To each the great lesson so heavily fraught With the issues of life, like an innocent child. Smiled sweetly in slumber of those undefiled. Will the beautiful angel that comes in our dreams, To paint each bright picture of hope as it seems To those who would read it, portray to her there The influence she has that night brought to bear On Montgomery and Maud ? And which in its rebound Must mark her own life ? Will the echo resound With the truth, and the good be triumphant at last, And the error lie low in the grave of the past ?