Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-06-12

me when | beg for il" There is some
thing wanting in every persons life, u
replied the pastor, who appeared to be
moved by my words ;."no life is perfect.
1t would have been better for yor had you
remained always poor. | grieve for your
misfortunes you are young to have seen
so much, to have suffered so much but
there is a path in which we must stead
lastly walk if the esteem of mankind is to
be deservedly gained. That path is vir-
tue. Better battle day and night with
poverty, better endure the pangs of hun
ger, better die, than wander out of that
path which leads direct to Heaven and
happiness hereafter F" l could not at the
time grasp the meaning of his speech, it so
dazed and bewildered me. SAT least, sir, "
| said, "'let me wish your grandchild joy,
and press her hand once-but once in
friendship" Again he shook his head
Even this small thing" he said, 81,
whose heart is overlooking with compass
sion for you, cannot permit to be doLe.
1t is my duty to protect those who have
no knowledge of the worlds sinful ways"
With that he moved away, and 1 walked
sorrowfully home.
In what way have l sinned? 1t
would have been better for me had / re-
NAMED always poor!'' Does my sin lie at
Harolds door, because he is rich? ]. re-
member what Harold said of this pastor,
and of the luminosity of his class to those
who were higher in worldly station than
themselves. Can it be that? No, there
is a hidden meaning in the pastors behav
ior to me-a hidden, terrible meaning,
which no one can explain but Harold. /
dare not Think must wait till Harold
comes.
"'Oh, baby, baby A little while ago
we were so happy! And now
60 After three weeks absence Harold
came to-day. He remained with me but a
few hours. l am in despair. Let me en-
deavor to write what passed between us.
"'I related to him what passed be-
tween me and the pastor. He listened in
silence never once interrupting me, nor
assisting me when hesitated. His man
ner was cold and ungracious; was
frightened l saw that he was angry.
When had finished asked him if had
done wrong. every. wrong. he replied !;
"why do you seek the friendship of such
man or of people in his station ="
"There is no other church near" l said
timidly; Gin Gods house all are equal. .
'' Is that one of the pastors platitudes F"
asked Harold. 81 have heard my father
say so, . answered, and it came into my
mind. 'There is no such thing as
equality" said Harold, inside or outside
church or any other walls, Some are born
to rule, some to obey, and all must fill
their stations becomingly. Let the worthy
pastor keep to his; l keep to mine. For
you, Clarice, you must choose between US,
it seems Well, that is your affair"
Marguerite, at that moment / was
animated by your spirit; strange courage
possessed me- Harold" said, do you
no longer love me!'' "What question p
he cried =" of course love You. But l
will not be crossed. Clarce, nothing vexes
me more than unnecessary annoyance
unless it is being asked for explanations.
Life is toe short for explanations. When
lady in whom l am interested sets me up
against another person, or sets up another
person against nae, must confess to feel
ing wearied. Life was made for enjoy
ment." "You would not wish, said,
chat I should be despised.' Why put
yourself in the way of being despised 2
he said. My courage did not desert me-
Harold, said, "you must yield to mt
in this. The pastors words to me implied
that l was not worthy of the friendship O.
his grandchild, for reason which should
blush to explain" 81 shall not know tht
reason unless you do explain it, Clarice,
he said, biting his lip. =" He thinks nat
unworthy" l said, in tone OF shame, GO o
the friendship of a pure and innocent girl
1t is a humiliation, Harold. The pastor i
a good man give me the means of settin,
myself right in his eyes" How can d.
that ?" asked Harold. ~ have no recort
of our marriage" / said, and was about t.
proceed when was stopped by an expires
sion in Harold's' face I had never seel
there before. " You are aware, Clarice,
he said, without any display OF anger
although l felt he was exercising con
troll over his feelings, that there wer
obstacles in the way of our being mar
ried in church" " Yes, Harold" | said
"you told me So" 1T was suficien
for you then," he continued it shoul
be sufficient for you now. Ours was
civil marriage, privately contracted. Wer
! it in my power-which it is MOTTO plae
in your hands what you require, l shout
ueCtl1lt 10 no 50. " III nv iaHS iiS Pa
vate affairs exposed to the gaze Of strat
gers. You should be satisfied that hav
, behaved towards you like gentleman
If from some cause outside myself or m
actions you choose to doubt me, cannc
help it; nor shall take any steps to dis
, buse your mind of suspicion. Your cours
, is before you, Clarice; be wise, and choo:
} the right one. You are young and beaut
, full you have both sense and discretion
continue to trust me and all will be vel
, Nothing is to be gained, dear child, l a
t sure you, if you act in opposition to m
wishes. You can see how you have al
, noyed me am ashamed to present m!
/: sell to you in any but an entirely agreeab
, guise. Pardon me, beg. Never rene
this subject it win be unkind and inj'
] + N MI he