The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-02-25

wife that you mad when you was your
own master!"
But Mr.. Haslem was deaf to old
Martha's words of wisdom.
He had torn open the note, and read
what turned him cold and blind as
stone.
This from his own little wifel
am going away-out of your life forever,
Beranger. I have thought it all over, and il is
best After while marry again, for shall be
dead; and don't make such another mistake
Take her you should have taken but for me-
Oh, my love, never blamed you!
LAyRErrE.
"The Lord is your sun and shield,
and He will watch over her you mourn,
and will preserve her from HARM said
good Elder Crayton, Wien, a week
later, he bent over his young PASTORS
pillow, and held his burning hand in
his. "And perhaps this will be blessed
to the hayward child, and ordered for
her and your more lasting happiness.
Be not disquieted; nothing is suspected
as yet among the people, and we must
keep her name spotless. They think
you took her to her home to see some
sick relative, and will explain her con-
tinued absence" ..... ..-.-.. ~ -.
So this wise friend stood between the
crushed minister and the cruel darts of
slander-told all inquirers that Mrs.
Haslem had been "sent by the Lord to
fulfill mission elsewhere" and, mean
while, prayed hard for good to come out
OF the great evil.
But six months passed away. and
Beranger Haslem was still desolate.
It was vaguely reported that Mrs.
Haslem was nursing some dying rela-
tive, perhaps with cloud over his or
her name, hence the pastors reticence
and sadness. The truth was never once
suspected, and, be it said to poor Lau-
rette's credit, none, even the most SLAM
derous, dreamed of associating wrong
with her.
Six months, and Christmas owe. Mr..
Haslem is once more in his study,
working at his Christmas sermon, with
care and weary sadness in his pale
face-a heart fighting for truth amid
much despair within.
The room had not that bright, dainty
| air it wore six months ago, though old
Martha prided herself on taking the
best of care of cher minister" The
fire burned dimly, half-smothered in
ashes; the books were piled anyhow;
the little sewing chair waited on the
hearth-waited still
On this night the Child of the world
was born-.the Holy Babe who was to
bring such Joy.
Suddenly the door was opened wide,
but silently, and Laurette stood there,
the snow on her poor garments, great,
quivering light growing on her white
face. And in her outstretched arms,
while her lips moved speechlessly and
her hollow eyes appealed, she held a
sleeping babel
Was it phantom?
He sprang up, scattering books and
manuscript, and faced her, trembling
and wondering-afraid that she might
vanish away.
"Berangerp breathed Iaurette, tim
idly, "Ive brought you\a Christmas
gift-our child!"
"My God!" calculated Mr.. Haslem ;
is this possible?" e., =
| He put his arm around them, and,
scarce conscious, drew them to the fire.
side, placed her in the vacant chair, fell
on his knees before her, and, trembling
exceedingly, pressed them both to his
heart.
"Oh Lord, Thou hast been kind and
pitifull" he gasped.
B" Are you glad?" whispered the lost
Lugrette, between quivering heart
beats; or shall leave him with you, and
go away and leave you in peace?"
He frightened his embrace, and
moaned as he kissed her.
Still doubling, my darling-my dar-
lngP Oh, how could you desert me SO ?
Am I so poor a husband to you az
that?"
"Oh, tell me to stayl Let me hear
you bid me welcomed" rang out the
young voice, with its old, passionate,
yearning cadence.
"God witness between us that my
heart is entirely set upon you," cried
Beranger, solemnly; "and that have
known no moment of happiness since
lost you. 1 never loved another-never
desired other woman than you; and
though might have seemed cold in my
manner, darling-I always loved you
first and best, and deepest of all earthly
gifts to mel"
"How good-hoW good God has been
to send me back to you'll" wept Lau-
rette, winding her arms about him she
had so mistrusted. II didn't think it
possible you would forgive and take me
home; thought you would be stern
and hard, as good men often are to the
weak and wicked"
why did you go, dearest?" whisp-
cred Beranger, fondly.
I'm not going to-yes, I'll never con-
ceal any trouble from you again." said
the young wife, determinately; *and
this was what turned me wild altogeth.
er. Old Martha never liked my coming
here, and always was telling me what
changed times you had-how none Of
your friends would come to the house
because they weren't pleased with your
choice, and how unhappy you seemed
to be; and at last she told me there was
= young lady you had been engaged to-
. good, pious, energetic worker in the
church, that the congregation would
have been delighted within Miss Vanson
you know and. ah me. when 1 com.
pared my useless self to her, and re-
memberod how nv love mnat have