The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1896-09-19

ItlhII S VI II hdN III thC lllulV as
there had been in the past. That would
! take them far beyond their golden we'd
ding" he thought, and. with a sudden
realization of the faithfulness of love
which had lasted so long and would last
so much longer if heaven spared them,
he turned his steps to pass the garden
where they had lived together for SO
many years.
Even young ministers feel a rise and
fall of the divine spirit within them, and
as this Young man stood by the Hill
dreth gate and looked at the loneliness
that was left when all the flowers clus-
tered about an empty spot of sand, a
fresh understanding of the s~ac-edness
OF kindly living came TO him, and filled
him with inspired humility. There
seemed - many warm, sweet. simple
truths to tell the world. although he
felt himself almost too young and lar
too wisdomlcss to speak. Twenty
nine wears" he thought, of the most
actual tests of gracc-and | have not
even reached the point where they be-
gan. | love no one woman better Than
neutrality-suspicious. l should thank God
for it-and I've never even performed
Il marriage ceremony in my life"
lie looked abe 1t him from the site of
the house TO al the things which the
Iuldreths had been cherishing so long.
i don't see how they can bear to leave
their flowers" he said, with a little
sigh; but then, as long as they take
! tInfp 1,,-n with +Hn,, ,,,,r, ,--., III
grow" 1t seemed to the young minis
ter just then that grace might be less
varying if he felt more of individual
love; but sooH he turned from the gate
and walked round outside the garden
ard down into Livc-Oak lane, follow
ing TIE house. He was still Il very
young man. and pretty little speeches
went from him sometimes, and so as he
walked he kept repeating: Il wish YOU
constant JOY, and as many returns of
the day in the future IS there have been
IN the past
He nearcd the house. ard noticed how
daintiIy it had raised its vines to move,
aIG he was wondering if it would be
Just the thing for him to tell Mrs. Hi
drcth low much it looked like her when
She came to church on wet or dusty
mornings. but before he could decide he
SOW that Mr.. IIiIdrcth was standing
several rods nearer to him than to the
house and talking very earnestly. with
his hand on tail Jack IIoughton's shout
der. The minister paused. for they
looked as if they were speaking in con-
tidanc2. and he wished neither TO 20
forward and interrupt them nor to re-
treat. just as he paused. Mrs. Hildreth
stepped down from the house. followed
by Connie Rainbridgc. The minister
felt that it was awkward to be standing
there in INDIGESTION, and he bIushed.
70 one saw him, however, for Mrs.
iIildreth and Connie cambridge both
stopped with a startled look at sight of
the two mel who were talking togeth-
er. There were traces of tears about
Mrs. llildrcth's eyes. and Comics face
was white. They stood still for a mo-
uant. and then Connie shrank back to-
ward the door. but Mrs. Hildreth took
her hand. The girls expression
changed and lighted. She went for
ward swiftly and touched young
Houghton on the arm. The minister
turned away when Houghton. taken by
surprise. and bending to her, spoke her
name.
Mrs. Hildreth and Robbie moved away
from them and toward the minister.
who stepped 10 meet them, smiling and
fumbIing with his thoughts, for the
words he mean to say were gone. 1t
happened that he did not need them,
for Mrs. HiIdrcth turned back and took
The other Young people in the house.
Robbie Iiildrcth's smile was mcrrier
than ever in his eyes. DO you know
tie marriage scrvicc?" he asked.
"Why-why, OF course" stammercd
the minister, but I've never
Then its time YOU began said
Robbie Hildrcth, and he felt that the
minister was trembling as lie took him
by the arm and drew him toward the
door. It's not 4 dangerous thing, you
kEow.' he added. reassuringly. Il al
testify, after 20 years"
The young minister flushed warmly,
but his arm grew steadier. You have
shown what beautiful thing it can be-"
he said. And yet he hesitatcd in the
doorway. for Mrs. Hildreth was at the
window telling the men outside that
they might let the house stand still a
little while: so the two young people
were standing alone together hand in
hand. lie could see their faces. and he
felt very sure that it would be an in
trusion If he went forward to speak to
them. But Robbie Hildreth was be-
Kind him, pushing him gently, and Mrs.
HildreIh had turned from the window.
\ great stiffness fell like an invocation,
and. gathering his courage, he went to-
ward them. and his heart stirred nerv-
oIslv as he rehearsed the marriage
service in his mind.
Afterward, while the house was NOV.
ing leisurely along its way, the minis
ter stepped down from it, and wandered
lack to the deserted garden. He
| stopped a second time beside the gate.
Il wished them constant JOY" he
murmured. and the color mounted soft
Is 10 his cheek. for they had wished him
something. too. Their joyous faces
rose against the isolation where he
| StCcd. \ few small common blossoms
| looked up in his eyes. There are many
- e., .L,r, TI,,- ,ro oF+nD SDoEen