Arizona republican., 1894-11-24

II in due time" and Hannah spoke with great deliberation.
 ''That is quite true, and undoubted ly it is only those among us who are trife worldly minded that show a dis position to hasten these things" Jane Spencer was always very meek under reproof, and I felt glad that others sus- tained her desire that Uncle Joseph should be little less deliberate in his action.
 q can hardly think that he realizes Sarah's worth,' said a late conner.
 ''On the contrary" it was Rhoda Longstreet's voice, "I am sometimes inclined to believe that his doubt rests upon his own merit. If he were of the worlds people 1 should say he was bashful. As it is, I call him slow in perceiving his adoption to any pecul- jar calling"
 ''Thee may be right" responded Jane Spencer, and I was struck with the note of merry-making that ac- companied her words. If so, can only wish that somebody would give him a hint, for I really believe that Sarah has perceived their true rela- tionship, and that her spirit is troubled since no sign is given unto her.
 "Ah," interrupted Hannah, ''shall we never learn that God does not wish us to call upon Him for signs?"
 Now it had chanced, although none of those present were at that time conscious of it, that Sarah Sidney had given up her seat in a friends carriage to person who was suffering from a weak limb, and had walked briskly along the frozen road toward our house.
 Uncle Joseph, too, had chosen to leave his vehicle at home, and, seeing in the distance familiar, plump little figure. he made haste to overtake her.
 For a few moments they talked to- gether of the lesser things of life. Then they fellinto silence which was at last broken by Uncle Joseph's voice:
 My mind has dwelt much to-day upon the Bible teaching of the relation of Ruth and Boaz.''
 I am sure that the throbbing heart beneath the white muslin kerchief of Sarah Sidney must have bounded little at this. He went on:
 Has thee ever thought it over and applied the test to our own lives?" It was certainly not strange that the good woman hesitated before she an- swered:
 If thee means to ask whether it has been shown to me that am chosen of the Lord to be thy companion, will ! admit that it has; but, Joseph, thee is not an old man. nor am l a young hand mai1en."
 Uncle Joseph stopped short in his walk, and, catching frightened look upon the honest face beside him, he gravely said:
 Ut was not upon that lelation that my mind ran. I thought rather of the increased duty in this day and genera tion which belongs to the husbandman l and his gleaners, or, in other words, 1 the responsibility of him upon whom the benefits of this world have been 1 showered, and the loud call ever sound | ing in my ear to extend help to those who need; and it has been whispered to me that thy material goods have been slipped from thee, and-and I wished many times that might make bold to offer my aid"
 Can one marvel if a feeling of faint ness crept over the gentle Sarah, or that beseeching look set the seal | unon tho awfu1 S+iI1Docc +ba+ fo1lo1--o5 Uncle Joseph's voice sounded strange in her ear. She feared she should fall, but as the tones grew clearer some thing else impressed her.
 Sarah, thee has a more receptive spirit than my own. 1 have sometimes longed to see aright in regard to the formation of closer bond with thee and l rejoice that through my ill., chosen speech thee has been led to point the way"
 He took her trembling hand between his own, and smiled down upon the sweet, but fearful face; then her lips opened, the pain went forever out of her heart, and she whispered only:
 Dear Joseph"
 But her trial was not quite over. We were already summoned to the dining-room when Uncle Joseph and Sarah Sidney entered the door to- gether l glanced about me, and was certain that I saw more than one look of satisfaction exchanged by the com pany present
 The moment of silent blessing was past. My mother moved as if to be- gin serving the soup, but she caught Uncle Joseph's eye, and awaited his slow words.
 Dear friends,' he said, with a little tremor in his voice, rejoice with me, for to-day has our beloved Sarah Sid ney revealed to me the message that l the Lord has Given into her lxeenintr :,