The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-08-09
RETURN 10 NATURE.


"Rcv. Augustine St. Gregory, Miss
Helen Mnckintosh. Married..
"Tear up the wedding cardsF' inter
rupted Pris Armstrong. ''Itiwas infatua-
tion--fanaticism. How could Boston
girl, brought up with every advantage Of
education and association, marry full
blooded Siouxi 1 went to the wedding
under protest. As Helen,s nearest friend
sat there under protest, and IL required
all my self control to refrain from Shrek
ing aloud at the words, III any man can
show Just cause why they should not law
fully be Joined together "--
"You talk as though ho had Just arrived
from the plains, in wampum and war
paint" returned Annie Chesley indig-
nantly. "I met him at Mrs. Cotting's re-
oeptiQn and thought him perfectly fas-
cinating. He has the ioveliest manners, SO
gentle and subdued, and with his soulful
dark eyes and melancholy face he remind
cd me Of Edwin Booth in The Iron Chest.'
Such an interesting history as he has too.
He lost his father at the battle Of the Lit
tie Big Horn, and after the flight Of Sit
ting Bull and his men into Canada the
poor little fellow was found By . mission
afy and sent to Hampton. Later, by
means Of an old lady's bequest, he was
educated for the ministry, preparatory to
going as missionary to his own people. II
you bad heard him speak, the last Sunday
In Advent, when the collection is taken for
the domestic mission, you would realize
what religion has done in transforming q
savage into q Christian gentleman and
clergyman,
Helen was taught from babyhood to
save her pennies for the domestic mis-
sion," said Pris slowly. "In Lent her
childish sacrifices were for the benefit Of
some Indian school. Her castof toys were
sent to Hampton. Her Sunday school
class supported an Indian there. Later
she attended all the meetings for the bene-
fit of the Indians, has been an active MEM
Der Of the Dakota league and devoted all
her charitable energies--nnd q Boston girl
must have some outlet for philanthropy,
as imperatively as for her love Of music
books and art-to collecting funds and
packing barrels Of clothing for the In
dinnB.
"As she stood by the altar 1t seemed the
elimination of a lifelong fad-an earnest
and religious one II you will, but still
merely q fad-in which love bore a minor,
II not doubtful, part, There was delay
in getting to the carriage and ! waited.
No, not to throw rice, but-but to sec
Helen once more. Captain Carter, Helen's
cousin--he was best man-olosed the car
rlage door, with gay goodby. He stood,
with uncovered head, In the fog and driz.
zle, and saw the look upon his face"
"They say he has always been in love
with Helen"
''It was not that. Insight gave fore
sight, and on tho pavement in Copley
square he saw the future, somewhere on
the western plains"
tYou are tired, August"
Helen st. Gregory arose from the piano
tho one article Of luxury she had permit
ted herself-and leaning over the back Of
her husbands chair played with his hair.
1t had been allowed to grow somewhat
long in tho last few weeks.
He had just returned from visit to a
settlement, few miles distant, consisting
of a few wretched, scattered huts. His
hand sought his throat and loosened the
stiff, clerical bands with an impatience
that seemed uncomfortable.
sit is sitting here" he said. "The air
of room makes me cough"
"I will open the window"
"Open both windows"
IT cannot, /" returned Helen, with some
surprise at his imperious tone. "The other
window Is sealed hermetioally with pa
pier Inacho, manufactured out Of soaked
newspapers after Frank Carter's recipe"
Her husband strode across the room,
and with one blow Of his clinched fist he
broke away the lower part of the sash,
"Augustl How could you--oh, your
| hand is bleedingl" reproach changing to
oommiseration.
She caught up web of soft linen upon
the work table.
"It is nothing" said her husband, al
most haughtily, drawing himself so quick
ly away that tho linen fell beneath his foot.
The next moment there was an exclama'
tion from both, for it was the surplice,
with the circle emblem of Immortality en-
broidered upon its front, that lay there,
bloodstained and trampled.
He sank into the chair again, and she,
who had learned In tho last few months
that thore were times whom it was best to
leave him undisturbed, silently closed the
shutters outside tho broken window and
pinned closely over 1t the heavy curtains
of Mexican blankets Tho room was both
sitting room and study. In tho corner Q
prie dieu, with a threadbaro cushion, tes
titled to the length and frequency of hii
devotions.
Presently Helen looked anxiously VI
from the altar cloth she was embroidering
II wish you would not watch me il
that covert manner" said her husband
with new irritability.
He was tired Her woman's heart chic
her after that moment of strange ant
chilled misgiying. 1t was " long, COLI
walk to the settlement, and the peopl
Il .1r,f atuN
toral charge. They consisted only of oil
men, women and children. The younl
mon were out hunting euphemism fo
having Joined certain hostile tribes in tn
northwest.
II have questioned lately, Helen" h
began presently, whether l have not, aft
er ALL mistaken my vocation. Tho fir
has died out of my utterances; my prayer
no longer ascend as on wings of light, bu
fall crushingly back upon my heart. Th
meaning has gone out of tho Holy Scrip
ture. Its words are as "a tale told by a
idiot, full of sound and fury, signifyin
nothing"
She spoke gentle, reassuring words, an
the strange foreboding vanished from he
heart.
Long after she had gone to bed he wa
kneeling at the prize dieu. In the day
that followed she noticed Tint he was III
usually silont; that tho early services, ii
prayers and fastings became more frcquen
the last so rigorous that she begged hi
TO have care lest his health suffer.
I'VE arc commanded" he replied SC
emnly, Ito cruelty the old man and u
terly abolish the whole body of sim "
He went about his work like man in
dream. The melancholy that had alwa
, characterized him had become moodines
n taciturnity that his wife learned w
best left unquestioned. His favorite su
jects Of conversation had formerly Tclat
TO his work. Now he never alluded to
! His texts had been chosen from the Ne
, , Testament, that upon which he had mt
frequently dwelt being, "For their sakei
!, san1tify myself that they also may