CHAPTER XXXVIII
THE END OF AN IDYL
Rockhaven, a colony by itself, had slowly increased from its one familystarting-point until more than two hundred called it home. In doing thisit had, to a certain extent, sustained the individuality of itsprogenitor, Captain Carver; a strictly honest, God-fearing descendant ofthe Puritans; Baptist in denomination, who regarded work and economy asreligious precepts, home building as a law of God, and strict moralityand total immersion the only avenues to salvation. Long before thelittle church was built he gathered the few families about him eachSunday, while he read selections and then led them in prayer. It was hisindomitable religious will, as well as money, that erected the smallchurch, and for years he led services there, praying that the time mightcome, and population as well, sufficient to induce a regularly ordainedminister to officiate instead. It did, for he lived to a ripe old ageand the satisfaction of his hopes, and to be buried on the slopinghillside back of it. Also to the glory of having "Founder of Rockhaven"inscribed on his tombstone.
He was of Scotch descent, which accounted for a certain latent taste inhis great-granddaughter, Mona Hutton. Though stern as the granite cliffsof the island in his religious connections, regarding works withoutfaith and morality, without conviction as of little value, the shadow ofhis mantle in time gave way to a more charitable Christianity. Andthough the offshoot of his church, the Free Will Baptist of Northaven,was never recognized by the elect of Rockhaven, intermarriages and amutuality of interests reduced its separation in creed to one in nameonly.
Then, too, the isolation of the island resulted in the growth of thefeudal instinct and a tacit leadership, vested in one man whose opinionand advice was by common consent accepted as law and gospel, and to whomall disputes were left for final settlement.
Captain Carver had been this authority at the start, others hadsucceeded him, and when Winn Hardy came to the island Jess Hutton heldthe sceptre. All this is but history, pertinent merely to show how itcame about that Winn won his way so easily, and those otherwisehard-headed islanders followed Jess Hutton's lead without question. Winnwon him at the start, and the rest without effort.
But a community, like a family, is upset by an unusual event, and thestarting of the quarry, the investment in its stock, and the finalreturn of Jess from the city, to distribute among them sums so out ofproportion to their original investments, were like so many stonesthrown into a placid mill pond. And had Winn Hardy returned with Jess,or come later, his reception would have been like that of a conqueringhero.
All this formed the sole topic of conversation for weeks, and hearingWinn lauded to the skies as a benefactor, before whom all should bow,had a peculiar effect on Mona. She, poor child, having little in commonwith any other and feeling herself of small account to them or even toher mother, felt herself still less so as this wave of universalapplause for Winn swept over the village. Then another point of pridearose in her mind. While Winn had sought her society often, it was as anext-door neighbor and by force of situation, rather than as a suitor,she felt; and even his visits to the cave with her were due to aromantic taste and his wish to hear her play. All this was, in a way,both right and wrong, and yet to Mona, keenly imaginative, it seemedentirely true. Then, too, her mother had made her feel that her violinplaying was no credit; no one else, except Jess, ever expressed a wordof interest in her one talent, and poor Mona readily felt it more adiscredit than otherwise. Winn only had seemed to appreciate it, and toWinn her heart had opened like the petals of a wild rose.
For a few days after his departure, she lived in a seventh heaven ofsweet illusions with this one king among men as her ideal--his everyword and smile and thought, all that life held for her. And then camehis letter which, to her tender heart and timid nature, seemed but acold farewell message. He had no plans, was uncertain of his future, andof hers had no concern. This much she read between the lines, andreading thus, her heart was broken, her courage crushed. How many tearsshe shed no one knew; how many hours she passed alone in utter misery ofmind, no one guessed. For Mona was proud as well as tender, and not evenUncle Jess should know that she suffered.
Now the waning summer, the nearing of chill autumn, and desolateice-bound winter added to her gloom. Her mother was not a sympatheticcompanion, mates among the other island girls of her own age she hadnone; only Uncle Jess, her violin, the cave, the flowers, and the sea.In summer she had company, in winter none, except Jess.
And now summer was gone and winter nearing, and poor, timid, tender,friendless Mona was broken-hearted.
For only a few days more did she go to the cave, and these visitsincreased her grieving; it was like visiting the grave of a dead love.When the November gales swept the island, Mona was made a prisoner, thestore and Jess her only escape. Here she kept her violin, and here shecame to brood over her sorrow and fight her own heartache. And here, beit said, in the company of Jess only did she find any consolation. Hehad such genial philosophy, such a happy faculty for looking upon thebright side of all troubles,--his own as well as others,--that it madehim a well spring of good cheer.
He was not long in guessing the cause of Mona's despondency, though withhis cheerful optimism, feeling sure that in good time all would come outright. He also discovered the new ambition that had come to her thatsummer, as well as love, and in his own peculiar way set out to solvethe problem.
And here it must be stated that a girl in love and separated from herheart's choice, having an ambition to go out into the world and earnfame as a musical artist, was a more complex problem than Jess hadpreviously attempted. Then another factor entered into Mona's troubles;for young David Moore, who for years had cherished an open and loudlyvoiced admiration for her and between voyages always sought to woo her,now came home and, finding the coast clear, renewed his attentions.
He was outspoken and assertive, full of enthusiasm and conceit. Helacked refinement, but he was frugal and owned a third interest in hisuncle's fishing schooner and was very much in love with Mona. Worse thanthat, her mother secretly favored his suit.
It may seem strange that the same practical sense of utility thatgoverned her girlhood's impulses and led her to accept a ready-at-handlove, instead of waiting for an absent one, now shaped her desirestoward her daughter. Romance had no place in Mrs. Hutton's nature,neither had love of music. In her calendar, also, one man was as good asanother if he behaved himself as well, and a present lover for Mona, ifhe meant business and could provide a home, was far better than anabsent one, even if the entire island cried his praises.
So she favored young Moore and, in the many ways a mother can, gave himopportunities.
But to Mona, sensitive, half heart-broken, and unable to escape this newinfliction, it was inexpressible misery.
So the days and weeks went by, and the snow came to whiten Rockhavenledges, the billows thundered unceasingly against them, and the littleharbor became frozen over.
And sometimes, in the hours of bitterest desolation, Mona thought of theold tide mill and the girl who had once gone there to end her hearthunger.
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