If it were not for that empty marriage form , he could win her , but the knowledge was only an added mocking torment . Alan had not known a man could endure such misery and live . A score of wild questions rushed to his lips but he crushed them back for Lynde 's sake and held out his hand . `` Good-bye , dear , '' he said almost steadily , daring to say no more lest he should say too much . `` Good-bye , '' Lynde answered faintly . When he had gone she flung herself down on the moss by the spring and lay there in an utter abandonment of misery and desolation . Pain and indignation struggled for mastery in Alan 's stormy soul as he walked homeward . So this was Captain Anthony 's doings ! He had sacrificed his daughter to some crime of his dubious past . Alan never dreamed of blaming Lynde for having kept her marriage a secret ; he put the blame where it belonged -- on the Captain 's shoulders . Captain Anthony had never warned him by so much as a hint that Lynde was not free to be won . It had all probably seemed a good joke to him . Alan thought the furtive amusement he had so often detected in the Captain 's eyes was explained now . He found Elder Trewin in his study when he got home . The good Elder 's face was stern and anxious ; he had called on a distasteful errand -- to tell the young minister of the scandal his intimacy with the Four Winds people was making in the congregation and remonstrate with him concerning it . Alan listened absently , with none of the resentment he would have felt at the interference a day previously . A man does not mind a pin-prick when a limb is being wrenched away . `` I can promise you that my objectionable calls at Four Winds will cease , '' he said sarcastically , when the Elder had finished . Elder Trewin got himself away , feeling snubbed but relieved . `` Took it purty quiet , '' he reflected .
`` Do n't believe there was much XXXXX the yarns after all .
If as at for in of on that to with