Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-09-14

and she were drifting farther and farther
apart. The external things Of life, the life
of pleasure that had woven such chains
about him, were slowly breaking in Marian's
soul. Her estimate Of the things that bring
happiness were very different. She was not
surprised one morning TO receive note
from Roland Fletcher asking that the en-
gagement might be broken. He closed the
note saying, at has always been against
my principles to marry any woman with
mission"
Years passed away. Roland Fletcher and
Marian Douglass had drifted apart and lost
sight Of each other for long time. Marian
had married wealthy gentleman who be
lieved with her that our happiness in life
comes to us "when we make life less difficult
for Others" They both were of one mind
in their ideas of usefulness. Marian's beau
tiful hands never tired Of doing work that
was "earnest, brave and true" Three
lovely children had come to their home, but
amid their present great happiness the sor-
rows of others were never forgotten. One
lovely summer morning Marian started from
the Flower Mission" with her basket OF
bouquets to distribute in the hospitals
While passing through one of the wards she
stopped beside the cot of a new patient who
"Will you have a bouquet sir ?" asked
Marian, as she tenderly bent over the suffer
ing one.
THANK you, madame the sick man
said, as he reached out his hand and took
the proffered flowers. "What beautiful
mission the flower mission is, and how very
kind you ladies are to bring them to US poor,
sick ones, who are shut out from natures
beauties"
ave are very glad to cheer the sick ones
in that way" replied Marian, as she took a
stray rosebud out of the basket and handed
it also to the patient. The mans eyes fell
upon the hand of the woman who minis
tered unto him, and he said
Beautiful hands are those that do
Work that is earnest, brave and true"
Marian's face had been hidden beneath
her large shade hat, but when she lifted her
head there was mutual recognition. 1t
was Robert Fletcher.
"Marian Douglass p he exclaimed, How
often have longed to see you and take
back the cruel words l said to you so long
ago about true womanliness. have lived
to bless the name of woman. have been
the recipient of her Christian love and kind
ness. When all others forsook me, it was a
woman with a mission who nursed me
unrouSR UallBnant uisedse, anu rescueu
me from death without repentance and
forgiveness 1t was a woman's hand that
guided me to the only Name given among
men whereby we may be saved, and it was
band of praying women who rescued me
from drunkards grave"
Roland's story was soon told. His mother
died years before and left him her immense
fortune, which he soon squandered in riotous
living. He was now charity patient at a
hospital, and he was cared for tenderly and
kindly by women who believed that they did
not overstep the boundaries of "true wo-
manliness when they ministered in Christs
name to his needy ones. When he passed
away from earth it was Marian's hands that
smoothed his dying pillow-Marian's hands
that closed his eyes upon a world in which
he learned, as he said, too late, the true Sc
cret of right and noble living.-Selected.