Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-05-14

LOOK ata atne pooK mere on my deSR
look at the other books, within easy
reach, on that table-are you salts.
fiedY
"More than satisfied. Tell me-do
you feel nearer to an understanding Of
the faith to which I have tried to con-
vert youY
There was pause. Say that I dc
feel nearer" Romayne resumed-"say
that some of my objections are removed,
are you really as eager as ever to con
vert me now that l am married manY
~ am even more eager" Penrose
answered. 81 have always believed
that your one sure way to happiness lay
through your conversion. Now, when
know from what have seen and heard
in this room, that you are not recon-
ciled, as you should be, to your new
life, am doubly confirmed in my be-
lief. As God is my witness, I speak
sincerely. Hesitate no longer BE
converted and be happy"
"Have you not forgotten something,
Penrose?"
"What have I forgotten9"
"a serious consideration, perhaps. !
have Protestant wife"
81 have borne that in mind, Romayne,
throughout our conversation"
"And you still say-what you have
just said?"
"With my whole heart, I say it BE
converted and be happy. Be happy and
you will be good husband. speak
in your wife's interest as we'll as in
yours. People who are happy in each
others society will yield little on
either side, even on questions of re.
ligious belief. And perhaps there may
follow more profitable result still. So
far as have observed, good husbands
example is gladly followed by his wife.
Don't think that am trying to persuade
you against your will ! am only telling
you, in my own justification, from what
motives of love for yourself, and of true
interest in your welfare, I speak. You
implied just now that you had still some
objections left. If I can remove them,
we'll and good. If I fail-if you can.
not act on purely conscientious convic.
tion-I not only advise, entreat, you
to remain as you are. I shall be the first
to acknowledge that You have done
right"
This moderation of tone would appea
irresistibly las Stella we'll knew to hel
husbands ready appreciation of those
good qualities in others which he did
not himself possess. Once more her
suspicion wronged Penrose. Had he his
own interested motives for pleading hel
cause? At the bare thought of it she
left her chair, and, standing under the
window, boldly interrupted the conver.
sation by calling to Romayne.
"Lewis" she cried, "why do you stay
indoors on this beautiful day? I am
sure Mr.. Penrose would like walk on
the grounds"
Penrose appeared alone at the win.
dow.
"You are quite right, Mrs. Romayne,"
he said, eve will join you directly"
In few minutes he turned the corner
of the house and met Stella on the
lawn. Romayne was not with him.
"Is my husband not coming with
us?" she asked.
"He will follow u.s." Penrose an
swered. II believe he has some letters
to write"
Stella looked at him, suspecting some
underhand exercise Of influence on her
husband.
If she had been able to estimate the
noble qualities in the nature of Penrose,
she might have done him the justice to
arrive at truer conclusion. 1t was he
who asked leave to take the opportunity
Of speaking alone with Mrs. Romayne.
He had said to his friend: eff am
wrong in my view Of the effect Of your
change of religion on your wife, let me
find it out from herself. My one object
is to act justly toward you and toward
her. Ishould never forgive myself if
made mischief between you, no matter
how innocent of any evil intention
might be-" Romayne had understood
him. 1t was Stella's misfortune ignor-
antly to misinterpret everything that
Penrose said or did, for the all-suficient
reason that be was priest. She had
drawn the conclusion that her husband