The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-21

church in an Questionable part Of the
city, ami his parents, and 1.linor of
course with them, rn -ed by imposing
edilices with brilliant orators aud costly
I'mu-ic Sabbath after Sabhath, and lis
tened to his hiihful presentation of the
gospel Of Jesus Often, as Elinor heard
the soul stirring appeals lac made for
honesty ard purity Of life, for justice
and charity to the oppressed, tie desti-
tute aud the erriug, she longed for
Frank 10 be There, tuat he might be
convinced that some ministers did not
fear 20 speak the truth to those under
their care. Sull more did she wish him
there, when, as was often the case, the
young preacher spoke Of the love aud
sympathy Of our Heavenly Father for
all His weak, wandering children, and
urged, with power and feeling, the rea-
sons for believing in Him, for trusting
Him, and for trying to walk in the foot
steps Of the Savior, "who went about
doing good"
Elinor thought the young minister
himself tried to follow the Divine ex-
ample as much as any one she ever
knew, for both he and his young
vile were ever laboring for the
welfare OF the suffering and the desti-
tute, and he was unliriug in his efforts
10 improve the spiritual, mental and
physical condition Of those who most
needed his pastoral care. It is no Won
der that a close anI tender friendship
grew up between these three persons, so
much alike in their main characteris-
tics and ia their purposes aud aims IN
life. Never before had Elinor known
one who seemed so truly a sister Never
before had she been acquainted with a
man who seemed TO her so much what a
Christian gentleman aud a minister
ought to be. She was no longer iso-
lated. She could converse with these
two friends more freely shan she had
ever done with anyone else, even her
dear, adopted mother, for there was
more complete sympathy between the
three younger friends, aud more per-
feet understanding of each others tastes
and mental and spiritual experiences.
Walter was a noble specimen Of
man, and his wife was a lovely, delicate
woman. who won all hearts 10y her
grace and sweetness Of manner, even
more than 10y her beauty and cultivated
mind. They had been married but a
short time when E'inor came to Phila-
and she did not see them till
they removed in the Spring to the city
from the little village where Walter had
won his bride, and where she had al
ways lived. The cordial kindness with
which they met Elinor, and their quick
appreciation Of her character, and con-
sequent respect and affection, could not
hut win from her in full measure the
same sentiments in return. She keenly
enjoyed an occasional visit 20 their lit
tie home, so simple, but tasteful and
charming in all its appointments; aud
yet, was it strange she never felt so
lonely as when, after these visits, she
found herself picturing just such a
home, in which dark eyed, dark
haired, bearded man was sitting before
the cheerful evening CRATE, talking in
low, deep, musical tones to her, and
looking with tenderest love iuto her
eyes?
Thus it happened that Walter and
Annie often wondered why Elinor came
so seldom, when they all enjoyed these
visits so well. Annie asked her one
day, but she only said, quietly:
81 do not feel so much like work after
indulging in so much pleasure, and so
Of course I must deny myself"
Her friend knew, from the Doctor and
his wife, part Of her story, and Annie's
quick intuition OWNED the rest. So
she knew very well what feelings
prompted the reply, and her own hap
piness made her more tender and loving
to her lonely friend.
Some natures seem rendered more
selfish and exclusive by an absorbing
affection, while some are never at their
best among their fellows till the hearts
fountains are unsealed by the magic
touch that transforms the careless, in
different man or woman into the faith
ful, patient, self-denying being that will
endure and do anything and everything
for the sake Of the loved one. Some are
selfish to all others while they have the
beloved one with them, and are only
reused to sympathy with others by the
bitter pain OF bereavement. Still 9TH
ers, kindly and gentle in their daily
lives, are rendered hard and cold by
grief aud suffering that seems to them
more than they can bear. Rare natures
are those which, in sunshine and in
storm alike, hold steadily on their way,
comforting and cheering those about
them in time Of trial, rejoicing with
them In hours of gladness, aud shedding
the tear OF sympathy in the dark night
Of desolatlon and anguish.
Such a nature bad Annie, the young
minister's wife, and she was a blessing
to all about her
Surrounded hy these frienls. and
working faithfully day ami night. L.i-
Dor passed he time that yet remained
before she coulu enter college with the
new class, which would contain a num-
Der of ladies. She loosed forward to
the important Gay with m'Ugled feel
ings Of hope ard anxiety, De-. she was
totally unpreparei FOR The announce
menL which was tlen made % Der. ana