New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-24
AT WHOSE DOOR?
BY MARGARET DELAED.
nnthor Of "Johu Ward. Preacher" etc.
lcopyriOht 1889. By the aathoTl

wbsn Friend Townsends sister married the
~ ~ man who had been known to be a rascal,
The whole Townsend connection deplored III Wion
him. Mary was not headstrong they SAID nor
restless she he'd come OF generannOndn % son was
something of which they could not have thoughO
True. Henderson Dudley was not much bike his
father: SO far as any one knew he was honest;
and inasmuch as he was dihgent in business ana
unwilling to live upon his wiies fortune. ne mlgh9
be said 10 serve the Lord Furthermore. ne na "a
never cared to look upon that bad SIDE OF NE III
which David Dudley had found his greatest de-
light But he was one of the worlds peopc-
though he did not make the profession OF re.glo,n
common even among theu-and, he was his Ialnet
sonl This was enough to keep their commas
Grating sympathy with Oliver fresh In the minus
of Mary's relations, even after she had aPologlzeo
By dying. and though Henderson himself, n Nttls
onlv three years afterYard TO cherish her nttie
daughter had meelly gone out OF the worio III
which he had walked very silently ana Dlame :
Iessly, leaving the child as peaee-onerlng 10 MS
Little Rachel was not a Townsend, divers
dove-lil1e wife used to say: the spark IN those
fierce dark eyes, dimmed by sudden tears. or dane
Inc in mirth. which was not convenient con-
fused and perplexed Sarah. And it was inconcely-
able to her that q child who could 50 hghty as
obey her could feel the love which Rachei some
times protested. Nor could she reconcile frank
ness which was often cruel with an insincerty that
was almost untruthfulness. not realizing that tne
latter might spring from desire to say pleasant
thing or passionate longing TO be thought well
Of Each day of RacheTs childhood had been full
of contradictions. She would wound he- aunt oy
disrespect and then cling herself upon the ground
to kiss a pebble Sarah's foot had touched; she
would strike a servant, but cry until her great
brown eyes were almost blind because she had
found a dead bird in the garden.
Perhaps. had Sarah and Oliver had children Of
their own, they might have 81 en- les thought and
prayer to little Rachel, and the child, unnoticed
and SO unconscious of her own shortcomings might
have grown more semitic, and, coming, ~ last z
realize their love BEEN able to express her own IN
language they could understan
SSometirpes. Oliver. | think she has not even
natural feeling for u.s." Sarah Townsend said. as
they sat together in their still parlor one Sep
TENDER afternoon. The wide. shining top OF the
were not occupied with books writing. Friend
Townsend was nervouslv pulling 10 pieces bios
som which had fallen from the bunch Of white
winged sweet-peas in Sarahs bosom, and his
wife's hands were folded placidly in her lap.
The shutters in the long French window were
bowed, for OF midday it was still warm on the
south side Of the house, and three thin streaks
of sunshine fell across the drab carpet or touched
the brass claws on the feet OF the table There
were no vain and unnecessary adornments IN the
room; two silhouettes in narrow gilt frames hung
high above the black wooden mantel-piece and on
rotnpd chest of drawers covered with plan
linen cloth, stood a jug, filled with early golden
rod there were shelves on either side OF the ire
place, full OF books in sober bindings but there
was no warmth of color in all the bare, plain
room, and no disorder Of home life.
Sarah Townsend's sweet face was still younl
in its serenity, though the hair beneath the deli
cate fold of her cap was as gray as her silvery
gown. divers dark eyes smiled as he looked a.
her.
She must love thee" he said; !" don't the
get discouraged about her. Sarah, or don't know
where the child will end"
cannot be discouraged she answered witt
crave simplicity, for she is in the Lords hands
Yet, il She would but trust us little more; j
she could believe that we desire only her owl
good She would know that II she cared for us
Does thee think" he said after moment
pause, lifting his dark, thin face from his breas
and wrinllling his forehead restlessly, doe
thee think we trust her quite enough? III w
explained TO her why we were unwilling tina
she should see play, it would be less wearing
.. IS than her perpetual questioning, anG j
% nass b OesE Tor her TO nave ne
SBut is It not best that she should learn tn
habit Of unquestioning obedience?" Sarah aske'
gently. She ought to believe that we know
what is wise for her"
aNo doubt thees right" Oliver assented quick
ly. throwing himself back in his chair with
sigh " it Is not best to give reasons to child
LET her goo She would learn as / did, how
empty all such amusement is-what hunger o
the soul It leaves But TO realize that | some
times think one must see 1t for Themselves
See IL for herselfl" Sarah said, clasping ant
reclasping her delicate hands, her even voic
trembling little; why, Oliver, does thee realz
not be deiledp Thee knows do not mean to b
narrow many Of the worlds people do go I
PLAYS, and they are plouS people according
their light, but We haye more light Shall v
let the child do wrong that she may feel tn
nower of sn when we can restrain her An
oh. Oliver though thou didst learn to love peac
through thy temptations remember thou art
man and thou vast born q Friend, too; bu
think Of her father and her grandchildren IA
member her impulsfve, iil-balanced nature; thin
what the effect might be-
sYes thee's right" Friend Townsend sal,
after a pause. "7Thees always right. But
can't see why she should want TO go so muc
II isn't as though she had ever gone, and lxne
the pleasure OF it. Is IL because young Rog
LIVINGSTONE asked her? Does she like to be wit
him Sarah p
Il think It is because we do not wish II
Sarah answered, with sigh and perhaps b
Livingstone. II is nothing deeper"
IL
The garden IN front OF Friend Townsend's gree
gray house had been touched by frost, thoue
the days.were hnguid with slnmberous Scniemb