The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-09-17

ing was a celebration, SO he started
presently to call on Mrs. Hildreth, and,
to wish her constant JOY, and as many
returns of the day in the future 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 sol
many years.
Even young ministers feel 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 sacredness
OF kindly living came TO him, and flied
him with inspired humility. There
seemed so many warm, sweet, simple
truths to tell the world, although he
felt himself almost too young and far
too Wisdomless to speak. "Twentv-
nine years. he thought, "of the most
actual tests of grace-and l have not
even reached the point where they be-
gan. | love no one woman better than
another-perhaps [ should thank God
for it-and I've never even performed
marriage ceremony in my life"
He looked about him from the site of
the house to all the things which 81 -. '
Hildreths had been cherishing so long.
u don't see how they can bear to leave
their towers" he said. with a little
sigh; but then, as long as they take
their love with them, more flowers will
grow 1t seemed to the young minis
ter just then that grace might be less
varying if he felt more of individual
love; but soon he turned from the gate
and walked round outside the garden
ard down into Live-Oak lane. follow
ing the house. He was still q 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 as there have been
in the past
He neared the house. and noticed how
daintily it had raised its vines TO move.
and he was wondering if it would be
Just the thing for him to tell Mrs. Hill
drcth how much it looked like her when
she came to church on wet or dusty
| mornings. but before he could decide he
saw that Mr.. HiIdreth was standing
several rods nearer to him than to the
house and talking very earnestly. with
his hand on tall Jack Houghton's Shout
der. The minister paused. for they
looked as if they were speaking in con-
t2dence, and he wished neither to &C
forward and interrupt them nor to re-
treat. just as he paused, Mrs. Hildreth
stepped down from the house. followed
| by Connie Bainbridge The minister
telt that it was awkward to be standing
there in indecision, and he blushed.
No one saw him, however, for Mrs.
i1lldreth and Connie Bainbridge both
stopped with startled look at sight Of
the two men who were talking togeth-
er. There were traces of tears about
Mrs. Hildreth's eyes, and Comics face
was white. They stood still for a mo-
ment, 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 HoVghton. taken by
surprise, and bending to her, spoke her
name.
Mrs. Hildreth and Robbie moved away
from them and toward the minister,
VINO stepped to meet them, smiling and
fumbling with his thoughts, for the
words he meant to say were gone 1t
| happened that he did not need them,
| for Mrs. Hildreth turned back and took
the other young people in the house.
Nobbie HiIdreth's smile was merrier
| than ever in his eyes. do you know
the marriage service?" he asked.
"Why-why, of course" stammered
the minister, but I've never"
"Then it's time you began" said
Robbie Hildreth, and he felt that the
minister was trembling as he took him
by the arm and drew him toward the
door. It's not dangerous thing, you
Know he added, reassuringly. 4 can
testify, after 30 years.
The young minister flushed warmly,
but his arm grew steadier. "You have
! shown what a beautiful thing it can be-"
be said. And yet he hesitated in the
doorway, For Mrs. HiIdreth was at the
| window ceiling the men outside that
they nigh: }et 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 10
them. But Robbie Hildreth was be-
Find 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-
Ously 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
back to the deserted garden. He
stopped second time beside the gate.