Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1868-07-28
WHOLE NUMBER 654.

the sitting-room she could see her
Aunt Phebes rigid face and snowy
cap, and Patience Wilson unconscious
ly crouched behind the fence. What
she meditated would bring on the
Walls of that good woman's indigna-
tion on her head. She glanced up
ward to her mothers bed-chambcr
where a low light burned. Was that
mo her praying for her? And was
the intent of her heart counter to
that mothers prayers and teachings?
She turned for moment as if to re-
trace her steps. sr
The light of her mothers chamber
went suddenly out and Patience de-
bated with herself "She will never
know, she said, determinedly, after
minute more of wavering, sand must
hear John Duane's music once more.
She turned and took the direction of
St. Johns. aaaas1+- leg zs=a -.aea US
Suddenly she stopped, for the door
of the farmhouse closed softly and a
bent figure moved slowly down the
narrow walk and out of the little
gate. She bent her ear to listen, but
there was no sound save the ringing
Of the bell at St. Johns. The bell
brought up a memory of John Duane
again. '.'lt was only my nerves that
made me think | heard footsteps, she
said to herself, re-assuringly. "And
must hear John Duane this once
She moved .on stealthily, half crouch
ing by the road side, and little
way behind, like a shadow of her
guilty self, stealthily crept another
half bent igure. 1t took the direc-
tion OF St. Johns also, sometimes
wavering as Patience had done, but
always choosing finally the road that
lay toward the little Episcopalian
church.
Always in the back of st. Johns,
so far back that she sat quite in the
shadow, Patience Wilson sat and list
ened to the organs music.
As the last notes died away anoth-
er woman In the simple garb of a
| Quakeress entered the opposite side
of St. Johns and sat down in the
shadow likewise. Studying those two
faces, one could not but be struck
with their resemblance. One had list
ened to the music as if her heart and
soul were drinking in the strains
The other listened to the sermon not
less eagerly or intently. And the
faces Of both was the meek sadness
of self-renunciation with this differ
ence-one was self-renunciation just
/ begun, the other was self-renunciatlon
with the stamp of old age upon it.
After the sermon Patience Wilson
arose and went out. She lOnged to
hear the last chant, but she would not
for the world have John Duane see
her there. At the same time the
plain woman in the opposite shadow
arose and went out. On the gravel
ed walk chey came face to face. oa o.
patience p exclaimed the elder
woman. --..1s ...,-
| "Mother y exclaimed the other.
They walked on in silence toward
their home. Phebe Morgan met them
at the door, @aa-
"Where has thee been?; she asked
anxiously.
ITO st. Johns" answered Jane
!
Wilson, calmly.
"Not there? And thee preach
er! 1t is contrary to the discipline p
exclaimed Phebe Morgan, in shock
ed tone.
Jane Wilson smiled That smile
was full of dignifed selfassertion.
! 1T is contrary to the discipline of
my whole life, she answered. ITO
day | have learned anew why men and
women should leave father and moth
er and cleave unto wife and husband.
When twain are made one flesh time
and distance can not divide them.-
This night | have listened to Harold
/ Crabbe-I who once gave him up be-
cause his creed was unlike mine. |
I have listened to him with self-con-
demnation, saying to myself,j ,jwho art
thou that judgest thy neighbor. His
is pure heart and a selfsacriicing
life, whatever his creed may be. |
have satand stood in the great con.
gregation tonight in a church with
costly gildings and heavy tapestry
and pealing organ, and have found
there true worshipers of the true
/ God whom we worship"
/ As Jane Wilson spoke there had
come upon the porch and into the lit
tie hall the tread of many feet, and
now there stood within the door
young man, with puzzled face aud
eager questioning eyes. Jane Wilson
extended her hand.
'-John Duane, thee is welcome" she
said, kindly q aa4a ~
A flush stole over the young mans
face as he replied, earnestly.
Friend Wilson, | do not crave
your welcome as a neighbor and friend
merely | desire Patience, to have
and to hold, to cherish and protect.
| Am / welcome ?" 9a 1A9t
-"Thee is welcome" answered Jane
Wilson. a @hAes3
She took the hand of her daughter
Patience, and laid it in John Duane's,
saying in reyerent tones. zela
what God hath joined together,
let no man put asunder."
"And thyself?" asked Phebe Nor
gan, who years before, had put asun-9
der her sister Jane and Harold Crab.
be.sagos q y al no3sl 81 na1a