Pocket Island: A Story of Country Life in New England

in love with Liddy Camp, a few changes had taken place in Southton. Three different principals had been in charge of the academy, one of these, a Mr. Snow, b

f he had an exaggerated idea of his own importance, it was inherit

orship in. Among these pioneers in thought were Loring Camp and Jesse Olney, the latter the author of some of the best school-books then used; a deep thinker and a leader in town affairs. There were other thinking men, of course, who were prominent in this new movement, but, as this simple story is not an historical narrative, their names need not be mentioned. This new church and its followers of course incurred the condemnation of the other two, especially the one led by Parson Jotham, who exhausted all argument and invective to convince his hearers that Unitarianism and sin were synonymous terms, and that all the new church followers were surely slated for the fiery furnace. So vigorous were his utterances in this co

bt, but his estimate of the motive forces of human action was too narrow. He believed th

anson. While perhaps not mature enough to understand the wide distinction between Unitarianism and Calvinism, they realized a little of the inexpressible horror of Rev. Mr. Jotham's theorie

rch. Manson especially, who had from childhood spent countless hours alone in the forests or roaming over the hills or along the streams, had learned all the lessons there taught, and now found Liddy a wonderfully sympathetic and sweet companion. To spend a few quiet hours on pleasant Sundays in showing her some pretty cascade where the foam-flecks floated around and around in the pool below; or a dark gorge, where the roots of the trees along

hills, after an ice storm, and were breathless with admiration at the wondrous vision, no words or declaration of love had as yet passed his lips. He had vowed to himself that none should until the time came when he had more than mere love to offer. Since all his acts and words showed her so plainly what his feelings were, she began to realize what it must all mea

gathered from a remark made by Aunt Sally H

mpany with Liddy Camp, and they're likely to make a match. Wonde

a keen interest in those of others, and as she occupied a place in Southton akin to the "personal mention

s, and so perhaps was spared what might have become an annoyance. While she listened to much gossip, she seldom repeated it, and, by reason of a certain dignified reticence among even her most intimate schoolgirl friends, no on

and Charlie Manson are engaged? Oh, you need not blush so," she continued, as she saw the co

t please Li

r own business," she said with a

mes of a good family. We have all noticed that he has no eyes for any other girl bu

it, did they? And she, in spite of her invariable reticence, was being gossiped about,

e word she could wish were blotted out. And they said he had loved her from the days of short dresses! Well, what if he had? It was no disgrace. Then pride came in and she began to feel thankful he had, and as the recollection of it all came cro

f as she turned away, "I be

ely nodded to him each day. "At lea

h unusual care, and as it was a cold night she piled

and added fuel to the fire, and then, taking a book, tried to read. It was of no use, she could not fix her mind upon anything, and she laid the book down and, crossing the room, looked out of the window. H

e seated herself again by the dying fire, and as she gazed at the fading embers a little realization of what woman's lov

looked at the sad, sweet face in the mirror. And t