The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-01-19
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| GnlS gay, DeSdn tne MINISTER dL ldeG
Il was on my way to visit parish
Toner, but | do not conceal from you
that l also made it my business to
observe your walk and conversation
"By what right do you SO speak to
me?" began Ralph, the hotter blood
of his mother rising within him.
"By the right given to me by your
father to study your heart ana to find
out whether indeed in it is seeking
to walk in the more perfect way. BY
my love and regard for you, hope /
may also say"
The minister paused, as if to gather
strength for what he had yet to say.
He leaned his head upon his hand,
and Ralph did not see that his frail
figure was shaken with some emotion
too strong for his physical powers,
only kept in check by the keen and
indomitable will within.
"Ralph, my lad," Allan Welsh con-
tinued "do not think that l have not
foreseen this; and had your father
written to inform me of his intention
to send you to me, | should have
urged him to cause you to abide in
your own city. What / feared in
thought is in act come to pass. l saw
it in your eyes yestreen."
Ralph's eyes spoke an indignant
query.
Ralph Peden," said the minister,
"since l came here, eighteen years
ago, not a mouse has crept out of
Craig Ronald but | have made it my
business to know it. | am no spy,
and yet | need not to be told what
happened yesterday or to-day"
Then, sir, you know that I have
no need to be ashamed
II have much to say to you, Ralph,
which l desire to say by no means in
anger. But first let me say this: 1t is
impossible that you can ever be more
to Winifred Charters than you are
to-day"
"That is likely enough, sir, but l
would like to know why, in that case,
/ am called to question"
because I have been, more than
twenty years ago, where you are to-
day, Ralph Peden. I-even have
seen eyes blue as those of Winsome
Charters kindle with pleasure at my
approach. Yes, l have known it.
And | have also seen the lids lie
white and still upon those eyes; and
| am here to warn you from the prim
rose way, and also, if need be, to for
bid you to walk therein"
His voice took sterner tone with
the last words.
Ralph bowed his head on the table
and listened, but there was no feel
ing save resentment and resistance
in his heart.
The minister went ON in level,
Unconditional tone, like one telling
tale of long ago, of which the issues
and even the interests are dead and
gone.
81 do not look now like a man on
whom the eye of woman could ever
rest with the abandonment of love.
Yet I, Allan Welsh, have seen the
love that casteth out fear"
After pause the high, expression
less voice took up the tale.
"Many years ago there were two
students, poor in money but rich in
their mutual love. They were closer
in affection than twin brothers. The
elder was betrothed to be married to
beautiful girl in the country; so he
took down his friend with him to the
village where the maid dwelt to stand
by his side and look upon the Joy of
the bridegroom. He saw the trysted
| (betrothed) Of his friend. He and she
looked into one another's eyes and
were drawn together as by power
beyond them. The elder was sum-
moned suddenly back to the city, and
for week he, all unthinking, left the
friends of his love together, glad that
they should know one another better.
They walked together. They spoke
of many things, ever returning back
to speak of themselves. One day
they held book together till they
heard their hearts beat audibly, and
in the book read no more that day.
"Upon the friends return he found
only an empty house and distracted
parents. Bride and brother had fed.
Word camethat they had been joined
by old Joseph Paisley, the Gretna
Green 'welder,' without blessing of
minister or kirk. Then they hid them
selves in a little Cumbrian village,
where for six years the unfaithful
friend wrought for his wife-for 80
| L. =. L. Ia