Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-06-12
CHAPTER xxI.-tCoNr1NUED.)

the rich and poor, to the advantage OF
those who lived in humble dwellings and
worked for their daily bread. 1t was upon
this point that Harold and his friend con-
versed with the pastor, and drew from him
his belief that not only was there greater
happiness among the poor, but also higher
virtues. 1t appeared to me as if Harold
and his friend were amusing themselves in
light way at the pastors expense, but the
kind old man showed 70 irritation or i'm
patience he listened attentiyely, and re-
Piled with dignity and gentleness. Until
the discussion was at an end he did not
address me he allowed Harold to have
the last word, and then turned his benevo-
lent eyes upon my face. 'fYoung lady,
he said, and there was pity in his voice,
it pleased me to see you enter our sim
pie church come often; you viii find
comfort in prayer; and if it should hap
pen that you want friend, one who will
counsel you as father would an erring
child, seek me in my home. Any of the
villagers viii conduct you to it." AS he
spoke to me he laid his hand upon my
shoulder with fatherly kindness, and while
we were in this position young girl very
nearly of my own age approached him and
stood by his side, calling him grand
father" With hasty motion he drew
her from me, and with bow walked away
leaning upon the young girls arm. We
looked after him till he was ont of sight !;
he did not turn to look at us again.
"'There was something in his action
with respect to his granddaughter which
panied NE exceedingly. 1t was as though
he imagined contact with us would do the
young girl harm. And why should he
have used the words to me, "who will
counsel you as father would an erring
child p 1 have done no wrong.
Harold said he was one of class of
agitators who take pleasure in believing
that the rich are systematically corrupt
and incapable of goodness. But give
these agitatQrs money" said Harold,
"raise their position, and they change
their note. Then it is the poor who are
vicious, idle, ungrateful. As they are,
they serve us and rob us, and we pay
them for service and robbery the balance
of virtue is on cur side" Harold's friend
laughed, and declared that no such balance
could exist, because virtue was myth.
What is right in ore man is wrong in
another, said this friend " it really mat
tiers very little it is all one in the end.
When fruit lies within reach, where is the
hand that viii not pluck u" neither
understood nor liked the conversation, and
was glad when the subject was changed.
90 At times everything seems unreal to
me. I had to play the hostess, which both
gentlemen declared did very prettily I
could scarcely believe it was I, Clarice,
who occupied such a position It has
come about so strangely. It's as if were
in boat without oars or rudder, drifting
along beautiful stream. For it is beauti-
full, very beautiful
In the evening we walked in the
woods, and Harold's friend disappeared.
Harold and / were alone, and he spoke to
me in tones so tender that 1 could scarcely
find strength to reply. All, Marguerite !!
why do you not come, and take from my
heart the weight that Expresses it: Why
are you not here that I might whisper in
your ear words dare not write?
g. Still no news OF Marguerite. Har-
old has given me money for the pastor to
distribute among his poor. Do not tell
him, =" said Harold, that it comes from
me he might think it would bring i'll
luck with it. "Why?" ] asked him.
"Why ," repeated Harold; because
dear child, l believe that in MS judgment
I am somewhat OF a Mephistopheles.
The pastor thanked me when gave hin
the money, and regarded me with pitying
chances. 1t troubles me to see that looi
in his eyes it is always there when We
meet. have tried to make friends will
his grand-child, but he has prevented it
He has kind nature. Why should he b,
SO cruel to me?
How delicious these summer night
are Life is very sweet. But one thinl
is needed to render it perfect-the com
partnership of my dear sister. Gone day
one day." says Harold, 1T will come ii
time. Your sister lives, you tell me.
do not ask you how you know that sh
lives. 1t is enough that you say it be
lieve it. as I believe everything that come
from your lips. So, one day, when yor
and Marguerite are together again, yor
will not have to tell her that you hav
been entirely unhappy" Harold is wise
and tender, and true. He has not talel
your place in my heart, dear Margaret n
one could dc that. Bat should miss hin
sadly if he were to keep away from m
now. l have no one else in the world t
depend onto trust IN. trust in him.
az How long is it since wrote last
Months-years- lifetime But time ha
passed quickly; the GUNNER is gone, and !
is now autumn. What has happened il
these few months So much, dear Mar
guerite, that could not write,i it down if
tried. l am wrong; it is told in a FEY
words. l am happy command Han
Odds wife
Marguerite, let me whisper a secre
in your ear. Not to another; no, not
another soul in the world. 1t is yours an
mine-and Harold's. shall soon becom
a mother.
al am filed with wonder, and feal
and sweet delioht This cottage. in whic