Capitola The Madcap | Page 8

life.
I hold this engagement to be so holy that no earthly tribunal can break
or disturb it. And while I bend to your honor's decision, and yield
myself to the custody of my legal guardian for the period of my
minority, I here declare to all who may be interested, that I hold my
hand and heart irrevocably pledged to Doctor Rocke, and that, as his
betrothed wife, I shall consider myself bound to correspond with him
regularly, and to receive him as often as he shall seek my society, until
my majority, when I and all that I possess will become his own. And
these words I force myself to speak, your honor, both in justice to my
dear lost father and his friend, Traverse Rocke, and also to myself, that
hereafter no one may venture to accuse me of clandestine proceedings,
or distort my actions into improprieties, or in any manner call in
question the conduct of my father's daughter." And, with another gentle
bow, Clara retired to the side of her old friend.
"You are likely to have a troublesome charge in your ward," said the

sheriff apart to the colonel, who shrugged his shoulders by way of
reply.
The heart of Traverse was torn by many conflicting passions, emotions
and impulses; there was indignation at the decision of the court; grief
for the loss of Clara, and dread for her future!
One instant he felt a temptation to denounce the guardian as a villain
and to charge the judge with being a corrupt politician, whose decisions
were swayed by party interests!
The next moment he felt an impulse to catch Clara up in his arms, fight
his way through the crowd and carry her off! But all these wild
emotions, passions and impulses he succeeded in controlling.
Too well he knew that to rage, do violence, or commit extravagance as
he might, the law would take its course all the same.
While his heart was torn in this manner, Colonel Le Noir was urging
the departure of his ward. And Clara came to her lover's side and said,
gravely and sweetly:
"The law, you see, has decided against us, dear Traverse! Let us bend
gracefully to a decree that we cannot annul! It cannot, at least, alter our
sacred relations; nor can anything on earth shake our steadfast faith in
each other; let us take comfort in that, and in the thought that the years
will surely roll round at length and bring the time that shall reunite us."
"Oh, my angel-girl! My angel-girl! Your patient heroism puts me to the
blush, for my heart is crushed in my bosom and my firmness quite
gone!" said Traverse, in a broken voice.
"You will gain firmness, dear Traverse. 'Patient!' I patient! You should
have heard me last night! I was so impatient that Doctor Williams had
to lecture me. But it would be strange if one did not learn something by
suffering. I have been trying all night and day to school my heart to
submission, and I hope I have succeeded, Traverse. Bless me and bid
me good-by."

"The Lord forever bless and keep you, my own dear angel, Clara!"
burst from the lips of Traverse. "The Lord abundantly bless you!"
"And you," said Clara.
"Good-by!--good-by!"
"Good-by!"
And thus they parted.
Clara was hurried away and put into the carriage by her guardian.
Ah, no one but the Lord knew how much it had-cost that poor girl to
maintain her fortitude during that trying scene. She had controlled
herself for the sake of her friends. But now, when she found herself in
the carriage, her long strained nerves gave way--she sank exhausted
and prostrated into the corner of her seat, in the utter collapse of woe!
But leaving the travelers to pursue their journey, we must go back to
Traverse.
Almost broken-hearted, Traverse returned to Willow Heights to convey
the sad tidings of his disappointment to his mother's ear.
Marah Rocke was so overwhelmed with grief at the news that she was
for several hours incapable of action.
The arrival of the house agent was the first event that recalled her to her
senses.
She aroused herself to action, and, assisted by Traverse, set to work to
pack up her own and his wardrobe and other personal effects.
And the next morning Marah Rocke was re-established in her cottage.
And the next week, having equally divided their little capital, the
mother and son parted--Traverse, by her express desire, keeping to his
original plan, set out for the far West.

CHAPTER II.
OLD HURRICANE STORMS.
"At this sir knight flamed up with ire! His great chest heaved! his eyes
flashed fire. The crimson that suffused his face To deepest purple now
gave place."
Who can describe the frenzy of