Never have I found it so difficult to describe a woman as I find it to
describe Mrs. Beuland; I wish I could picture to you this most unusual
woman as I knew her in the southland, a mere girl of sixteen; as I
think of her now she brings to my mind a poem of William Wordsworth:

"I saw her upon nearer view,
A spirit, yet a woman too:
Her household motions light and free,
And steps of virgin liberty;
A countenance in which did meet
Sweet records, promises as sweet;
A creature not too bright or good
For human nature's daily food--
For transient sorrows, simple wiles,
Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles."

Yes, she was like a poem, with much of the untamed grace of a panther,
and the gentleness of a dove.....

In Balzac's unique story, "A Passion in the Desert," a question is
asked: "How did their friendship end?" The answer is, "Like all great
passions--in a misunderstanding. One suspects the other. One is too
proud to ask for an explanation and the other too stubborn to offer
it." And so it was with Mrs. Beuland, else I should not be recording
her romance here.

I am glad the story of Balzac did not read: "Like all great loves,"
because I believe that a great love always brings with it harmony and
understanding. The misunderstanding in this case was due to the fact,
that the girl did not know that under this great passion lay