The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1895-01-17

IF such bo the will Of our Heavenly
Father, / doubt not it will be revealed
in due time, and Hannah spoke with
great elaboration. ss.s
THAT is quite true. and undoubted-
" it is only those among us who are :
tribe worldly minded that show . dis
position to hasten these things" Jane
Spencer was always very meek under
reproof, and I felt glad that others sus-
tanned her desire that Uncle Joseph
should be : little less deliberate in his
action. rs s6 ~ ss55s. 913
II can hardly think that he realizes
Sarah's WORTH said . late conner.
On the contrary" it was 'Rhods
Longstreet's voice, II an sometimes
inclined to believe that his doubt rests
upon his own merit. II he were Of the
worlds people ! should say he was
bashful. As it is, call him slow II
perceiving his adoption to any pecul-
lar calling. sl5i if..
''Thee may be right" responded
Jane Spencer, and was struck with
the note Of merry-making that no
companied her words. "If so, can
only wish that somebody would give
him q hint, for 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 CHANGED. although none
of those present were at that time
conscious of it. that Sarah Sidney had
given up her seat in q friend s carriage
to person who was suffering from .
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 few moments they talked to-
gether of the lesser things Of life.
Then they fell into 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 q
little at this. He went on:
Has thee ever thought it over and
applied the test to our. own lives?'''
1t was certainly not strange that the
good woman hesitated before she an
swered: 35a hi
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 a young hand,
mailen."
Uncle Joseph stopped short in his
walk, and, catching frightened look
upon the honest face beside him, he.
Sgravely said: Y Il, Il
1T was not upon that relation that
my mind ran. I thought rather Of the.
increased duty in this day and genera
ton which belongs to the husbandman
and his cleaners, or, in other words,
the responsibility Of him upon whom
the benefits Of this world have been
8showered, 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 II
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
upon the awful stiffness that followed.
Uncle Joseph's voice sounded strange
y in her ear. She feared she should fall,
but as the tones grew clearer some
thing else impressed her
- Sarah, thee has more receptive
spirit than my own. I have sometimes
8longed to see Alright in regard to the
formation of closer bond with thee,
and rejoice that through my ill,
chosen speech thee has been led to
point the way Il. ...5
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 G
Dear Joseph" N
But her trial was not quite over.
We were already summoned to the
dlning-room when Uncle Joseph and
Sarah Sidney entered the door to-
gether. ! glanced about me, and was
certain that saw more than one look
of satisfaction exchanged by the com
3pany present y
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. ii
Dear friends, = he said, with q little
stremor in his voice, rejoice with me-.
Tor to-day has our beloved Sarah Sid,
ney revealed to me the message that.
the Lord has given into her keeping.
#a He paused, and witha flush bright
iening her soft cheeks, Sarah asked,
calmly: 5
Joseph, will thee kindly explain
thyself?'' III
] never knew him to do anything, SO
we'll as he now related to us the man
ner in which he had obtained an in