The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-02-26


~Yeu knowi it now, Elsie; ny it is
mine." H.. -.
Forever and forever, Nathaniel"
And who will question his right to
take the golden head to his bosom,
where we hope it may rest for many
years to come.
LAURETTk
Yes, II was . marriage "for love-"
there was no denying that.
Many wealthier, wiser, prettier and
more prudent girl would have been glad
to have the Rev. Beranger Haslem-in
his own congregation, too-but he must
needs pick up this strange wilding from
some 'outlandish place, and set ct the
head of his influential city church, a.
pastors wife," and, seeing that she
had no money, family nor expectations,
what else could he have chosen her for
but blind, stupid love?
Ana yet, but four months after the
looming home, behold Laurette in her
husbands study, where she sits with
corrugated brow before his half-written
sermon, not crouching lovingly on the
foot-stool beside him, with her dainty
toy work in her lap, as the normal run
of idyls would have it, but standing be-
fore him, the table between them, pas
sionate tears in her eyes, reproach, des-
pair on her countenance, her hands
olasped in q frenzy of wool
Why did you ever bring me here?"
she shudders out in tragic, breathless
gasps; ~not because you loved me.
All, no, Beranger, never that! Don't
seek to comfort me by your cold assur-
ances. know better nowr
my deari my dearl" expostulates
Mr.. Haslem, gently, but in rather . dis
couraged tone, rs If he was finding his
better-half bit of handful to manage.
Mr.. Haslem is great man; his heart
is in his work, and his true desire is to
do his duty in the sphere in which God
has placed him; but if he had not also
placed his heart in the keeping of this
restless, eager girl, he would never have
taken her to be the companion of his
life; consequently these wild words fall
almost like an outrage on his ears,
though he assures himself she can sure
" never mean them, nor do him such
injustice.
Yes, yes, I know that I only trouble
your cries Laurette, the burning tears
beginning to fall over her scorching
Checks that I have no place here but
to cause anxiety-that but for me you
would be happier and more successful
man. I know all that so well I am no
comfort to you, no advantage in your
work, and have come to-"
"Laurette," interrupts he, wildly;
shave I ever said anything like this to
your
/ "Oh, no, mol You are too patient
and good, but I know-I know you
never would have chosen me, Beran-
ger, but that you took pity on my great
love for You, which I, poor fooll could
not hidel"
why will you torture yourself thus,
dear? Do you find me unkind or
neglectful to you, that you should fan
cy such things?"
No, too kind; too considerate +"
murmurs the young wife, wringing her
hot hands; "too accomplishing for it
to be real. Don't I know what your
wife should be? Why didn't you mar
~ wise, useful young lady, whose
poor, foolish heart would not torment
you with so much love and yearning?
You don't need any worship it is only
extravaganza toyorl"
thought wanted it, Laurette, or
I would not have asked you for it"
signs M. Haslem, feeling words to be
idle, while she will twist them so
strangely.
But you know better now" gasps
Laurette, with a hyster1cal laugh,
"and so do I, to my despair. Oh,
Beranger, never think that I blamed
you'll"
She stands moment, whitening to
the lips, gazing at him in indecision, as
If she longed even yet to cast herself
at his feet, and implore his tenderness
or forgiveness, but his eyes are on
bis unfinished sermon, longingly as it
seems, and she turns away and creeps
softly from the room as if crushed.
my darling" begins the young hus-
band, looking up, and then he discovers
that he is alone.
After all, he muses., "it is better
to leave her to come to reason herself
she always does-and then I can tell her,
perhaps, more strongly than have ever
done, how deep and strong my love is
tor her: Poor little Laurette, I wonder
why she doubts me?"
But it is Saturday evening, and his
sermon must be finished, so he puts
away domestic perplexities with an Of
fort, and plunges into theology.
With all his excellencies-andh he is
truly an affectionate, ever thoughtful
husband-Mr. Haslem does not alto
gether understand the way to treat his
Laurette.
She is passionately loving, impulsive,
dihident, and full of nervous, generous.
impossible fancies; he, calm, strong,
well. balanced, earnest in affection, in
flexible in duty.
She is stung to frenzy by some words
which malice has poured into her ears,
burdened with thoughts and cares, and
hours OF pain, whose meanings she dare
not understand, but which drive her
feveret, craving heart the closer to him !;
and he, all unconscious of the teeming,
surging fancies, all unknowing of those
sorrowful, heavy hours, wonders at the
inequality of her spirits, and her many
exactions, while he loves her none tae
less nor neglects his duties q whit the
more.
You might call them, at this stage of
the 1dyl, Snow and Fire, and wonder
little at tho sequel.
It was close on Sunday morning when
the pastor put away his work and
thought Of rest. Never mind, it was a
good sermon, and before leaving his
study he prayed humbly that it might
be blessed to some among his flock,
perhaps even to his OWE eve lamb.
Laurette had not yet retired. Fool
ish girl. she must be sitting alone down
stairs waiting for him.
The gas was not lit in the parlor, but
at the sound Of his steps in tic hall the