Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-10-27

terrified.
Hush, child" she exclaimed, In
alarm. ale sometimes take, us at our
word"
"Let Him take me-" she replied, with
n prophetic gesture toward the fading
Splcnd"r of the west. alt would be a
greater sin To marry when"
She left the sentence unfinished and
covered her crimson face with her
hands.
go! Johanna, Johanna. What is the
matter? This is not like my gentle girl.
What has happened to my child? Has
one of the young brethren been speaking
To you on this subject? or can any ono
without the Church have gained access
to your pure mind and tempted You with
the worlds false vicws?"
"Mother," replied Johanna. In re-
prOachful tone, edo | not know the
rules of our Churchp Can you not trust
me?"
"My darling!" replied the fond
mother. "DiStrust you? No, no; but
you frightened me with your fierce
words. Child, you almost detied your
Maker"
go! no. MOTHER" said the girl, cross
ing to her mothers side and throwing
her arms around her. "You did not
understand me. | would rather do some
thing that seemed wrong To everybody
and right to myself than to do what
seemed right to everybody and wrong to
my own soul"
| "And, in SO doing, You would be
pleasing God" said voice near them.
And, looking up, Johanna beheld Bar
tholomew Richter standing before her,
with the sunset light shining full upon
his fine, manly features.
He fastened to apologize for his sud-
den interruption, and said that, over
hearing Johanna's last sentence, rs he
passed, he felt constrained to voice his
approval.
"Johanna is getting strange thoughts
into her head" said Mrs. Rothe. ca
nineteenth century mother would have
said: ".Iohanna is a girl of opinions.")
81 sometimes feel apprehension for her
FUTURE" she added, with a sigh
Trust the future with Him who Or
ders it," said Brother Bartholomew, in
II low, earnest voice.
g But herein lies the trouble" replied
the anxious mother. Johanna does
not seem willing to abide by the Lords
will"
Mother does not understand me-"
exclaimed Johanna, in self-defense. 81
say that can never do what other peo-
pie may say to be the will of God, when
down deep in my heart l feel that it
would not be right for me to do So"
"YOu know that in such a case we
would try the lot," said the Young man.
"Even then would not go against
this conviction of my own soul, if alt
the lots that ever were cast should de-
eide that should" she answered, with
decision.
"You are decided?"
"Yes, fully. What would you dop"
Bartholomew Richter was man of
strong and vigorous thought and action,
and, consequently, had always been
able, by prayer and meditation, to SEQ
his way out of e difficulty, and so had
never reached that critical, wavering
uncertainty when he felt that he must
trust to the lot for the necessary decis-
ion and now, when this young girl put
the question to him so suddenly, he felt
such doubt and uncertainty rs he had
never experienced before, and he an
swered, honestly:
81 do not know. God has always
made plain to me the course He would
have me take without seeking Ills will
inrasting the lot, and trust He always
will"
The glory was gone from the west
only touch of gold low down on the
horizon left from all the wealth OF
splendor which few moments before
had been piled up mountains high above
the purple hills. Mrs. Rothe rose, and,
with a glance toward the darkcning
sky, held out her hand to her young
pastor. His eye followed the direc-
ton of her glance, and johanna muir
INJURED:
"'Beyond the sunset are the hills of
God.'"
Then they turned from the sunset and
from each .other; the mother and
daughter going down through the valley
to the pretty cottage home, and Brother
Bartholomew away to his hillside re-
treat, where he might spend the twilight
hour alone in communion with his
God. And the night came down about
the cares of men, and hushed their toll
and tumult; and the busy hum of life
ceased in the valley meath the hills,
| and
Evening stood between them like maid,
the smooth rolled clouds
Her braided hair; the studded stars tire
pearls
And diamonds of her coronal; tho morn
Her forehead jewel and the deepening dark
Her woven garments"
An hour later, and the sound of bell
and trombOnes summoned the mountain
worshiper from his retreat to the village
church, where the evening service was
just beginning.
81 have sad news for you, brother"
said the old clergyman to Bartholomew,
at the close of the service. "Brother
Weisser has departed this life"
Brother Wcisser in St. ThomasP"
"Yes. He has left most interesting
work. a laborer is needed"
1t was enough. 1t is sail of the Mo-
ravians that they never wait to be called
into the service of their Master. They
are always ready with the words "Here
am /! Send mel"
"I will co." said Bartholomew, in a
low, steady voice.
"God bless you, brother" said the old
man, placing his hand on Bartholomew's
shoulder. "But he who goes should be
married."
81 will marry. When ought to gop"
was answered, without moments hes
itation.
Gas soon as possible"
"Alust my marriage be decided by
lotp"
The old gentleman drew back in as
constituent.
Brother," he exclaimed, after mo-
ment's silent wonder, is it possible that
you are so ignorant of the church regu-
latiOnsp"
eyes; truly am ignorant as to the
facts of this custom. thought possibly
there were exceptions to the general rule
in regard to this Natter
"None!" Numbered the elder man.
"You see, | have never thought OF
marriage as a personal matter"
"There is Council of Elders to-
morrow Shall present your caSefS'