Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-05

ana Brother Berg touched his arm. He
locked up with an' agony OF question ON
his panied face.
The elder, whose constant smile had
Ned, as it seemed permanently, handed
nm slip OF paper with single word
| upon it.
The letters seemed to burn their wav
into his consciousness.
"Yes."
The minister flung himself forward.
My God! My GodW he murmured.
brother Berg looked at MIN with a
great pity IN his eyes. But he turned
dou6ttully away. Then suddenly he came
pack and impulsively put forth his hand
Nh. keator perhaps felt it beside him. for
IN ms misery he stretched out his own
without lifting his head. Brother Berg
ctasped 1t fervently; then went precipi-
tSVely from the room. The minister
crouched forward on the window 5eat.
one with his conscience and his God.
the knowledge of all that h. had kent
| from her must have been interpreted in
ms face when he met Rose, for her look of
| tender solicitude melted INTO kind OF diff
| tident reproach.
yes, have done it," he said, bitterly,
in answer to her glance.
lie sank into his deep library chair with
his face fun of fixed gloom.
Rose observed him with a pain deeper
than she could say.
"Oh, John, John, how could ycuy' she
whispered, as she dropped down beside
| him.
You remember what you said," he re-
| joined, coldly
yes, yes" cried Rose. through her
tears, "but | can't. How should [ de-
| spise you when now, above all, you need
my help and love: And perhaps you do
not deserve it, john" she said, softly.
| drying her eyes, with u sudden thought.
How could think for a moment that
you did? Mol No, it can't be. 1t is
your modesty again, your readiness to
| condemn yourself"
"Do you think those are words for nv
acts? l demanded a fulfllment of her
promise"
"Brotherw she cried.
She withdrew herself swiftly; she
seemed to hold counsel with herself: her
reflection went on long and absorbedly.
Her words came softly at length:
"Think of your provocation," whisper
ed she. "John, you are noble and good,
but how could anyone be good enough for
that? No, no! it's impossible! She tempt
ed you too far"
Look at it that way if you can, sister.
Perhaps l had some excuse"
"S0mel You had every excuse. new
er dreamed of such a contingency when |
talked OF your falling. Do! What else
could you do? What could anyone do?
IL was the only thing"
"But it was not the priestly thing. Oh,
Rose dear, other men may be governed by
mems standards, but the standards of a
minister Of Christ can come only from the
Head and Founder Of his order"
Rose was silent.
"Is there anything else?' she asked.
gently, at last.
every tbingl After l had made my de-
mand OF her felt horror of what had
done. l attempted to retract it,"
'Of course! OF course! On, John,
don't lei us talk of your failure. Who
else would hare done that?'
81 doa't know, dear, but it was poor
reparstioa and she would not take it.''
IVY You'd not take it?' repeated Rose, in
surprise. Tnen suddenly: "John, doesn't
chat prove what l have always said? She
loves you"
A pitiful smile fitted over the minis
ter's face.
"Nay, she is proud, exquisitely proud.
That is all. And then she said l must de
eide 1t by the lot as we had agreed"
Roses lips quiveTed.
"And you have done it? Oh, John
Johnr'
deliberately the face Of the elders.V
He pressed mis- head into his hands.
Rose looked up with brave smile.
''She forced YOU to it," she murmured
''No, no, don't show me the way to such
wretched shifting as that. l did i'll
alone. am willing to suffer for it,
Rose cast her head upon his knees.
When she raised it it was to ask him fear
fully:
The answer, John9 What was the
answerr
he looked at her thoughtfuHy.
Yes" he said, al last, simply.
She regarded him for a moment in a
daze.
"You must leave the church to marry
her" she said, her face fun Of sorrow.
Mr. Keator started up. AS he leaned
upon his crutch be glanced down upon
her crouching by the chair, with a grew
inr look.
MARRY herw exclaimed he, in sad sur
prise.
There was a gentle wonder in his tone
as ne repeated the phrase.
no, no. You are confused by the pro-
p.ti0usness Of il, dear But you can't
thlnk | could do that. Have | fallen 50
far that you have no better thought for
me'"
He sank into his chair again with a
look Of acute pain.
She was beside him again instantly.
"Forgive me, forgive mel" she begged.
Nay, you were right. How can [ ex-
pect you 10 keep high theories tor nay low
practices" she made a deprecatOTy
murmur, but went on: "Ah, nv one
wrong puts me at odds with the whole
frame OF things!" exclaimed he, bitterly
But with the necessity to somehow JUS
fifty after lapse or error a higher thought
Of oneself than the act itself tOler2tes--a
justification without which none Of us
could 20 on liying-be said almost at
once more cheerfully, laying his hand on
her shoulder:
Il have gone very fer, dear, but even TO
me some things are still impossible. That,
am sure is one OF them. DO you think
could ever have a peaceful hour? Do
YOU think fife with her would be worth
ANYTHING stained by the thought Of what
il had cost? Your trust in me Is dearer
TO me tan that; my sclf-respect has more
value. An ability 10 one day face my Ma
keris infinitely more precious than all the
happiness / might hope 10 ind IN such an
uublessed uni0n.'
Rose was about to speak, but he raised
her with far-away look IN his eyes and
went quickly on:
"Yes, / was tempted. Was that what
you were going to sayl Al first the
temptation shona upon me in glory for
which / was not strong enc ugh But the
stll voice drew me back Instantly. T.
was like looking over a precipice for the
fascination OF it; 1t was not, than