The Opelousas courier., 1889-11-16

m~inistrations.
Ned loved her more than ever for the
gentle self-denials she practiced so quiet
ly that only those who were benefited
knew of them, but, to his great dismay,
there came a little gulf between himself
and his love, widening so gradually he
could not tell where it had commenced
or would end.
For the first time since he was a mere
boy he-saw that Matte gave him only the
warm friendship OF years OF brotneriyI
and sisterly intercourse, where he had
given the first and only love of his life!
She seemed drifting from him, absorbed
in her new duties and leaving but little
margin of time for the recreations they
had shared for years. He was appalled, by
the fear of losing hel, and yet she kept
him from telling her either his hopes or
his fears.
"She thinks I am an idle, good-for-
nothing fellow" he thought, "and I
never get any chance now to tell her |
mean to buckle on my armor, too, and
do my share of work. I I'm studying
hard, and father will give me. a start in
my profession, that can be made a COM
fort to the afflicted and a light to the
down-trodden. I mean to be all even
Matte can wish me to be, but I can't get
a word with her now. Last evening she
was with that poor dying child of Cross
mans, and to-day she is trying to com
fort his mother. The last time | called
she was at the National School, and when
[ do see her she is not the careless, merry
hearted Matte of old. She thinks I am
the same, though, and despises me for an
idle good-for-nothing."
Some such bordering was in Ned's
mind, when, driving his phaeton up the
main street of the town, he overlook the
Rev. Harvey Stillman going in the same
direction. He reined in at one
"If you are going my way, Mr.. Still
man," he said, twill you let me drive
you to your destinations"
~ am afraid I am going too far for
you" was the reply. ~ am on my way
to Hawson's place."
Chow fortunate I met you! tits fully
three miles. Get in, and Black Prince
will soon carry you there"
"But you2"
"My time is yours. Do not refuse
mel" D..
The clergyman accepted the invitation,
and before he fully perceived what he
was saying. Ned was making him a con
fdant of all his perplexities and resolu-
lions, till even his love story came out in,
earnest words. Led on by the quietly
expressed sympathy in all his resolves to
enter upon q noble and more useful life, i'm:
petuous Ned, by a sudden inspiration saba
eff only Matte could know how much i
would help me to feel sure of her love? {
cannot say if she ever cared for me as I
care for her: but if I could believe she
would be my wife when I deserved her,
it would stimulate me as no other hope on
earth coud do"
"You think she loves you2"
The Rev. Harvey stillmanis very lips
were white as he asked the question.
81 did think so once. Now, | would
give all I own to be sure of it,"
There was much more to the same pur-
pose, till Ned, with a sudden CLEAN of
hope, asked the clergyman to plead his
aus
sNo one has so much influence as you
have. She looks up to you as to a
father" said Ned, never seeing how his
listener WINGED at the comparison; and if
you were to tell her how her love would
aid me, she might believe I do not
always mean to be the idler she has
known"
81 will see her" was the grave reply.
ssIf she loves you, she shall br6the,
happiness of giving you the encourage
ment you desire"
But when the drive was over, and the
clergyman entered his study, the quiet
gravity of his face broke up into an ex-
preston of keenest suffering. He had
borne many SORROWS in his life. Death
had taken his nearest and dearest; pow
erty had laid her heavy hand upon him;
temptation had assailed him, only driven
back by ~prayerful struggles. He had
hoped to find in Greyport rest, after a
long battle in life. His living promised
him an easy competence and some leisulB
for studies he loved, without neglect of
his higher duties. But before he had
been in his new home many weeks Matte
Woolston's sweet, earnest face, her gen.
tie goodness, her unobtrus1ve, sincere
piety had wakened in his heart an emo
ton he had never hoped to experience.
Love had been a far off possibility for hap
pier lives, and he had not perceived that
It was seeking entrance into his own till
Ned Gordon reused him to conscious
ness of what his deep interest in Matte
signifed.
He loved her, andhe had undertaken to
plead the cause of another to herl
Thought became such torture that he re-
solved to have the dread interview over,
to know the worst at once. He found
Matte in the parlor of her fathers hand
some house, and, fearing for his OWE
strength, told his errand gently.
The girl looked at him with white
cheeks and a startled expression, as if
she had received a sudden, unexpected
blow where she had looked for kindness.
Her great brown eyes had a hunted, pite-.
Gus look that it went to his heart to see.
She struggled for composure before she
trusted her voice to speak, and it was low
and tremulous when she said: tsSince
YOU are Mr.. Gordon's ambassador. tell
him, from me, that he has my most sincere
good wishes for his success in his new
Hfe, He has no warmer friend, no more
earnest well-wisher than myself. But /
can never be his wife. / do not love