The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-07-25

If my eyes had caught glimpse Of God anG
His angels, my ears heard the sound Of the
harps of the blest, if below me saw the fiery
gulf--if | knew that withdrawing my foo,
would bring her happiness, would withdraw
it, and be doomed forever"
Her figure seemed to dilate as she uttered
this tremendous rhapsody. 1t 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 yet
been rightly plumbed.
Even Frank, who we may presume consid.
cred Mis- Clauson worthy of out-of-the- way
alteration, felt that Mrs. Miller'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.
"ThS is sheer idolatry," no said, not I'm.
kindly.
Call it what you will, sir. l mean all ]
say and more"
"And because you are so fond of her. you
wish to sec her future in my hands, feeling
sure it will be happy one!"
eyes, sir. i have 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"
| She hesi,ated. Carruthers hoped she would
| finish tho sentence with some information as
to the true state OF Beatrice's feelings. Mrs
Miilers assurance that she had good grounds
| for asking him to wait for an indefinite time
would be thrice welcome. Lovers and drown
ing men ought to be coupled together in the
matter Of catching at straws.
"Well, besides whatr he said, seeing she
still heSitatcd.
"You are both Of the elect" she said in
strangely solemn accents. 1.-The seal is on
your fOrcheads."
What do you meanp said Frank in be-
wilderment.
She clasped her thin hands together; her
eyes shone with strange brilliancy. Mean"
she exclaimed, SO lopdly that Frank glanced
at the door to mako sure that 1t was closed
"Meanl Can it be possible that those blessed
ones who are predestined to be saints hero
after can walk the earth and know it not
/ can see it, can read 1t on your face-on Mis-
Beatrice's face. Many are called, but few
are chosen'-few are chosen You are Of the
few
"Ohw said Frank. He was beginning te
understand that he was dealing with a re
ligious fanatic. His bewilderment was sue
ceeded by plying curiosity, tempered by
sarcasm.
IF one could believe it, it would be very
satisfactory" he continued. ''Tell me why
you feel so sure about us. Our creed must
differ from yours"
"Creed" she burst out. You were chosen
before there was creed In the world. The
seal is put on the elect as they draw the frs,
breath. 1t may be that heather who has
never heard Gods name shall sit on the steps
OF the great throne, while he who has lived
on earth the life Of saint shall 60 into ever.
lasting fire.
This is predestinaticn with vengeance
thought Frank. why do you feel SO sure
about Miss Clauson and meF' he asked.
II can read it in your faces. You are to
have happiness in this world and in the
next
Franks sense Of humor made him feel in.
clined to ask Mrs Miller about the ultimate
fate Of the gentle Horace and Herbert, with
their kindly hearts and old womanish ways.
He would even have liked to know what was
to become of the sedate Whitaker, and VIII
liam Giles the coachman. But he checked
the questions. He saw that what was arnu9c-
ment to him was death to the pale, excited
woman at his side. He did not wish to enter
into a theological argument, and at this time
of night play Pelagius to this feminine dis
ciple of Augustine. Indeed, he knew that the
arguments of those who hold the doctrine of
predestnaticn and its correlative, reproba-
ton, are logically unanswerable by the best
theoiogian ever turned out Of Oxford; and
theology was not Mr.. Carruthers' pet science.
So he contented himself by expressing po-
h,,> hot faIt olS 90 ,rI
own salvation. !
III" she exclaimed, and shudder as of
terror ran through her. 81 have prayed day
and night--day and night-that answer may
be given me, that sign may be shown to
me. The answer has been given"
well, you found it all right, hope" said
Frank. to humor her. e.
She leaned forward and again clutched his
arm. 81 am 'one of the many" she said, in
low, thrilling whisper Her face wore
look of utter hopelessness. Frank pitied the
poor creature from the bottom Of his heart.
'My good woman" he said, ''your belief is
simply diabolical one. Get rid Of it, and
trust that there is some mercy to be shown to
those who ask for it. Go and talk to Mr.. |
Mordle or the rector, or some ono whose bust |
ness it is to set things of this kind straight |
Goodnight, sir. Thank YOU" she said,
with sudden return to her usual calm and
respectful manner. Then, with bent head,
and hopelessness written all over her, she
walked slowly to the door. a thought struck
Carruthers.
swat moment, " he said; II should like
TO write line to Miss Clauson"
"Love-etters will do no good, sr."
"It's not love-letter," said Frank some
what sharply. Mrs. Miller waited.
He took q sheet Of paper. After what
had happened he felt he could not address
the woman he loved as MY dear Miss
Clauson," and he did not dare to write my |
dear Beatrice" So his letter began abrupt |
", without address of any kind. Moreover,
il was very short. Here it is:
"Now that have asked my question, and
you have given your answer, tell me would
you rather left this place at once, or stayed
on as intended. -Yours, F. c."
He handed the letter to Mrs. Miller. She |
took it in reluctant manner. "You have
not written anything unkind to hers" she
asked.
Nothing. Take my word for it."
'And you promise you will waitf
II must wait, whether like it or not"
said Frank, rather bitterly.