The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1886-03-05

for. any advice to Enus-not even those
OF his brethren in the faith who had .
saving remnant of worldly wisdom
mingled with their faith in their imme-
diate ascension.
DIR. Peleg left his companion at the
gate and turned to 90 without word.
The girl gently laid OBTAINING hand
upon his arm.
"You arc not like yourself tonight,
to me. You didn't sing and You were
willing to leave the meeting 90 early.
Is anything the matterP"
as.I'm hypocrite, Judith. I've lust
found it out tonight, and didn't dare
to sing or pray. don't dare to 20 to
the meetings no more. I've let a wo-
mans face come between me and my
Lord, and there's nothing but the fires
of his wrath that'll hide It! His iedgc-
mcnts are sure; hos lcttin' mo feel
them Already"
The girl had turned away q little inn
patiently ut first. Her healthy nature
was thoroughly wearied of the morbid
atmosphere in which it lived. Tho cant
Of the Milleritcs had become unendur-
able. But as the hunchback went on,
his Whole frame trembling with his
emotion, she turned an astonished face
upon him.
IA woman's facet You, Dr.. Peleg!
What are you talking aboutp"
He shrank is If from blow.
'Of course ] might have known you
wouldn't know. And yet sometimes
I've been crazy enough to think you
bad thought it too! I'm man, judith,
after all-after all; and you've been Just
like the breath of life to me ever since
you was q little gal! It's como acrost
me tonight, kind of realizin' sense
that Ne,O Jerusalem, hasn't never meant
aottin' to me bat you!' You and me
enterin' in together was what see in
them visions that folks thought was so
wonderful. And I'd got rid of this
poor miserable body that makes YOU
hate the sight of me; forgot the Lord
and he is punishin' me!'
The girl looked ut him in utter
amazement. It occurred to her that all
the Millerites were probably going mad.
and DR.. Peleg's madness was manifest
ing itself in this extraordinary way.
She had heard that one must be sooth-
ing yet firm with mad people.
'You had better 90 home and rest,
DIR. Peleg. This continued talking
about the day of judgement is exciting.
1t puts all sorts of strange notions into
PERSONS head. You'll forget all this
nonsense when you get rested and
quiet.'
She talked to him soothingly as she
might have talked to a little child
"And you only think I'm crazy? You
hain't never thought. Judith. that meb
be things would be different in the New
Jerusalcm?" he said wistfully. .'That
mebbc Id be different and we'd be
ncarer-you and I?'
1t was evident that he was not in.
sane, SO she felt suddenly that she would
be justified in losing her patience and
speaking frankly:
''You are too absurd! Ton thousand
new worlds could not bring me and you
nearer together
She turned away and ran up the steps
But on the threshold of the door she
paused. Then she ran down again. and
caught his hand eagerly in hers. - Z
'lf you love me-if you really love
me, DR.. Pcleg, you will use your influ
ence with father about Frank. You car
make him do anything you please, and
Frank is coming back!"
A spasm of jealous pain contracted
the old mans face. For moment Inc
said nothing.
elf you loved me You would want to
make me happy"' she said.
''But I'm II man after all, Judith! You
mustn't ask me to do what man can't
do! Besides and his face grew bright
and serene again-'the New Jcrusa-
lem's acomin, and there's no merryin'
nor givin' in merriago!'
She put her fingers into her ears, and
ran into the house, slamming the door
behind her like q pcttish child.
DR.. Peleg stood there when she had
gone, with the night air chilling him,
and the thorny vines buffeting him. Ii
was only when Enus Sinkley came homo
from the Millerite meeting that he seem
ed to gather his wits together, and shut
fled of. He forebore TO respond to the
customary congratulations upon their
short remnant of earthly probation,
which Enus rendered him: for a moment
he seemed to be making an effort to say
something; but the moment passed, and
he did not say it.
"lt's OF no use to say anythin'-
there'll be neither merryin' nor givin'
in merriage, and if there was I'm a man
and how could give her to him? And
he amt come yet; mebbe he won't come.
The time IS short now."
Turning the first corner he ran against
a man. He saw his face clearly in the
moonlight; it was Frank Pritchard. DIR.
Peleg's face grew white as he watched
the strong, manly figure disappearing in
the distance.
eth make her happy. and I'd ought
to be glad, but y Lord how can !, sim
full cretur that 1 be? And it don't make
any difference whether l say anything
to Enus Sinkley or not. for the end is
a-com;n!''
And DIR. Peleg surveyed the sky eager
ly for some sign of that coming end.
The moon sailed placidly through, {,
cloudless sky. and the stars twinkled as
clleerily as if they had ages before them,
For the first time a pang of real doubt
chilled DIR. Pclcg's heart.
''If it shouldn't be! O Lord if II
shouldn't be-" he murmured.
Before noon of the next day it was
known all over Saltwater that Judith
Sinclair's lover had come back. Opin-
ions varied as to whether her father
would allow her fo see him or rot.
Many thought that although his, world
illness might have been eliminated by his
religious faith, his obstinacy had not,
and that it would not be safe for Frank
Pritchard to venture near the house.
But on that Saturday-within few
hours Of the end of all things. according
to his unqucstioning faith-the old man
was utterly oblivious Of the things of
this world. Judith was free to walk
aud talk as she pleased. and save for !,
dread which haunted her mind that the
Millerite. prophecy might prove true,
and all earthly joy be destined to a
speedy end, for happiness was perfect.
No thought of DIR. Peleg and his ab.
sur.lity crossed her mild. Since she
did not need him to appease her father
it was easy to forget him.
Her lover urged her take advantage