The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1890-07-10
Mr.. WHYT'S
WIFE'S SISTER.
By MARION HARLAND.
tcoPyRIoHT. 1890.
CHAPTER I.-CoSTISuEp.


sketches and examined finished pict-
ures at the table. passing them after
ward to the mother, who was a fixture
in her easy-chair by reason Of head.
covered with crisp. chestnut curls. lying
upon her lap. May was her companion
and co-laborer, dutifnl and beloved,
despite the impetuosity of mood and
temper that seemed inharmonious with
the calmcr nature OF the matron. The
mothers idol was the long-limbcd fell
low who, stretched upon the tiger-skln
rug. one arm cast about her waist, sub
mitted to her rnute fondling with grace
as cheerful as that with which she en-
iured the scent of the cigar she would
not let him resign when he threw him.
self into his accustomed place. She was
good wife. but she had never pretend
ed TO like the odor of the Judges best
weed. March's cigars she confessed
were really delightful" Perhaps she
recognized in his afflnent, joyous nature
something hers lacked and had craved
all her life. the golden side Of the iron
shield. 4fssuredly. her children drew
the ideality in which they reveled,
from the father.
The tall, dignified woman who queencd
it in the "best circles" of Fairhill So
ciety. and was the chiefest pillar in the
parish which had just called Mr.. Wayt
TO become its spiritual head. was the en-
bodiment OF what is known as hard
sense" Mind and character were laid
out and down in straight lines. Right
-srv1.s d,,%x- j,,Sx- 1.<,
shirked. Wrong was wrong, and the
shading-oT Of sin into foible was of the
devil. She believed in a personal devil.
comprchended the doctrines Of the Trim
ity, OF election and reprobation and the
resurrection of the physical body. Twice
each Sabbath. once during the week,
she repaired to the courts Of the Lord,
with joys unknown to worldly souls.
1.-The ministry" she held in the old
fashioned veneration we have cast be-
hind US with many worse and few bet
ter things. Others might, and did crit
icise the men who wore white neckties
upon weekdays and had their hair cut
straight behind. The hands of the Pres
bytery had been laid in ordination upon
them. That was sacred shield to her.
In spirit, she approached the awful cir
Gle of the church with barred feet and
bent brow. Within it was her home
To her ..church" her tolls were literally
given. For it her prayers continually
assembled.
She had looked grave during Mays
f1ippant abstract of the new preachers
discourse anent the six stone waterpots.
Her family might suspect that she could
not easily assimilate spiritual bread SO
unlike that broken to his flock by
good man who had been gathered to
his fathers six months before. after a
pastorate of thirty years in Fairhill.
Nobody could elicit a hint to this effect
from her lips. Mr.. Wayt was the choice
of respectable majority of church aad
parish. The Prcsbytery had accepted
his credentials and solemnly installed
him in his new place. Ilcnceforward
he was her pastor. and as such. above
the touch of censure. lie had been the
guest Of the Gilchrists for a week prior
to the removal of his family to the
aonrisning suburban town. and re-
ceived such entertainment for body and
Divine authority Of the call he had an
swered.
He left Fairhill four days before
March landed in New York, to meet his
wife and children in Syracuse, and es-
cort them to their new abiding place.
During these days the mothers and
daughters of the household of faith
had worked diligently to prepare the
parsonage for the reception of the trav-
elers, Mrs. Gilchrist being the guiding
spirit. And while she drew the shining
silk of her boys curls through fingers
that looked strong, yet touched tender.
", the Reverend Percy Wayt, A. n. and
NJ. A.. with feet directed by gratitude,
and heart swollen with pastoral affec.
ton, was nearing the domicilc of his
best .'membcr."
a long French window upon the
piazza framed the tableaux he halted tt
survey, his foot upon the upper step Of
the broad fight leading from the lawn
1t was noble room. planned by March
and built with his proud fathers money
Breast-high shelves filled with choice
books lined the walls: above them were
. few fine pictures. Oriental rugs were
strewed upon the polished floor. loung
ing and upright chairs stood about in
social attitudes. The light of the shaded
reading-lamp shone silvery upon Judge
Gilchrist's head and heightened tho
brightness Of Mays face. March's hap
by gaze, upturned to meet his mothers
look Of full content, might have meant
as much in a cottage as here, but seemed
to the spectator accessories of the lux
urious well-being which stamped their
environment
He sighed deeply-perhaps at the con.
trast the scene offered to the Lalf-fur-
nished abode he had just perhaps
under the weight OF memories aroused
by the family group. lie was as capa-
BILE Of approaching beauty and enjoying
ease as were those who took these as an
installment of the debt the world owed
them. The will of the holy man who
breaches the great gain of godliness
when welded to contentment. ought te
be one with that of the Judge of all the
earth. Sometimes it is. Sometimes
''Ah! Mr.. Wayt" Judge Gilchrist'.
PiosSAOlAii EAuSIOuo NdS HINtl
more urbane than as he offered vel
coming hand to his wife's spiritual di
rector. You find us in the full flood
Of rejoicing over our returned prodigal,
he continued, when the visitor had sa
luted the ladies. LET me introduce m,
son."
Mr.. Wayt was 'honored and happy a
being allowed to participate in the re
union, yet apologize for his ''intrusio.
upon that with which stranger should
not intermediate"
While saying it he squeezed March
hand in grasp more nervous than firm
and looked admiringly into the sun
ny eyes.
Your mothers son will forgive th,
interruption when he learns why an
there, he went on. tightening and re
taxing his hold at alternate periods. -
brought my wife and babies home to day
| use the word adyisedly. ! left des
olate, empty house. Merely walls, cell
:. ings, doors, windows and floors 4