The Dillon tribune., 1885-07-04

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Wait for, her. She shall be yours at last.
A thought struck Frank. Did this strange
had Beatrice sent her? His heart beat VIC
lently. ''Are you giving me message from
Miss ClausonF' he asked.
mo, sir. Miss Beatrice is not one to senc
messages by servants. She doesn't know ]
have come to you. You won't tell her, Mr.
Carruthers! Promise me you won't tell her.
Her face grew paler than before as the
possibility of Carruthers' telling Beatrice Of
this nocturnal interview rose before her
She seemed SO distressed that Frank hasteneC
to assure her he would not mention tho mat
ter. Strange US was this woman's manner
something showed him that she meant him
well.
''She would never forgive me II she
knew" She whispered these words in an
awcstruck way, as il such q thing was too
fearful to contemplate.
''Tell me why you trouble yourself about
my affairs, p" asked Frank.
"Why do troubled Because she is all in
this world and the next to me. Because
would kill myself to save her from pain OF
mind or body. Listen, Mr.. Carruthers
Years ago-she was then but q girl of seven.
teen or eighteen-she saved me from starva,
tion, from death, from worse. She fed me-
clothed me, called mo back to life, and saw
that lived. I say to you, Mr.. Car1uthers
that IL I stood with one foot across the
golden threshold OF tho heavenly gate, even
my eyes had caught u glimpse of God and
His angels, my ears heard the sound of the
harps Of tho blest, il below me I saw the fiery
gulf-if l knew that withdrawing my foot
would bring her happiness, I would withdraw
It, and be doomed forever"
Her figure seemed to dilate as she uttered
this tremendous rhapsody. It certainly
sounded like an exaggerated expression when
used to illustrate the devotion of one woman
to another. But the depth Of the love which
woman can bear to woman has never vet
been rightly plumbed.
Even Frank, who we may presume consid.
cred Miss Clauson worthy Of out-of-the-way
alteration, felt that Mrs. Millcr's eccentric and
profane description of her sentiments towards
her mistress was more exalted than any occa,
sion could warrant. Nevertheless, as she was
sounding the praises of the woman he loved,
his heart softened toward. her.
''This is sheer idolatry,'. 10 said. not I'M.
kindly.
"Call it what you will, sir. mean all ]
say, and more"
"And because you are SO fond Of her, you
wish to see her future in my hands, feeling
sure it will be happy one:"
'Yes, sir 1have watched you day by day,
and have seen that you love her. Ihave asked
about you, and heard you spoken of with the
tongue of good report. Besides"
Sho hesitatcd. Carruthers hoped she would
finish tho sentence with sonlo information rs
to the true state Of Beatrices feelings. Mrs.
Miller's assurance that she had good grounds
for asking him to wait for an indefinite time
would I've thrice welcome. Lovers and drown.
ing men ought to he coupled together in the
matter Of catching at straws.
"Well, besides what!' he said, seeing she
still hesitated
"Yuu are both Of the elect" she said in
strangely solemn accents. ''The seal is on
your fOrehcads"
WHAT ito you meanY' said Frank in be-
wilLerment.
she cla pod her thin hands together; her
eyes shoae with strange brilliancy. ''Mean!"
sila exclaimed, SO loudly that Frank glanced
1t tue door ~ E:a.;o sure that it was closed.
"Meanl Can il be y ssible that those blessed
ones who are pretlestined to be saints here
after can walk tho earth and know it mott
I can SEQ it, can read 1t ON Your face-on Miss
Beatrice's face. Many are called, but few
are chosen'few arc chosen You are of the
| few."
'Oh" said Frank. He was beginning to
understand that he was dealing with r,-
| ligiOls fanatic. His bewilderment was sue.
ceeded by plying curiosity, tempered by
| sarcasm.
''lf orc could believe it, it wo,ld bc very
satisfactory" no continued. ''Tell MO why
you feel SD sure about W.. Our cre,d must
differ from yours"
''Cr.est!" shc burst out. ''You were chosen
oefcro thsro was creed in the world. The
seal is put on the elect % they draw the first
breath. 1t may be that . hcathcn who has
never heard Gods nan.o shall sit On the steps
II the great throne, while hc who has lived
III earth tho life of q saint shall 60 into ever
lasting fire.
This is predestination with ycnseance. ;"
about Miss Clausou and me = he asked.
! Il can read it in your faces. Ycu uro to
nave happiness in this world and in the
aext."
| Franks sense Of humor made him feel in.
slined to ash Mrs Miller about the ultimate
ate of tho gentle Horace and Herbert. with
heir kindly hearts anu old wo..auish ways
he would even have liked to know what YVES
% become Of tho stdate Whitaker, an! VII
lam Giles, tho ccachman But he checked
;he questions He saw that what was a,uuse-
nent to him was death to the pale, excited
woman at his >ilc. He did not wish to enter
nto theological argument. ard At this tine
u night play Pcasius to this fc.ni:i,e dis
'3i, OF Augustine. Indeed. h, k.c,; that the