The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-10-17

E ing was q 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 so
, 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 filled
him with inspired humility. There
seemed so many warm, sweet, simple
truths to tell the world, although he
teit himself almost too young and far
too wisdomless to speak. Twenty
nine years" he thought, ''of the most
actual tests of grace-and have not
even reached the point where they be-
gan. l love no one woman better than
another-perhaps i should thank God
1or 1t-and I've never even performed
marriage cerem ony in my Iife.,
He looked abo 1T him from the site of
the house to all the things which the
hlldreths had been cherishing so long.
i don't see how they can bear to leave
| 'heir howers, he said, with little
sign; but then, as long as they take
'heir 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
ara down into Live-Oak lane. follow
ing TIE house. He was still a very
Young man, and pretty little speeches
went from him sometimes, and SO as he
walked he kept repeating: IL wish Won
constant joy, and as many returns of
the day in the future rs there have been
in the past"
lie neared the house, and noticed how I
daintify 1T had raised its vines to move.
ana he was wondering if it would be
Just the thing for him to tell Mrs. Hill.
oreth now much it looked like her when
she came to church on wet or dustv
mornings, but before he could decide he
saw that Mr.. Hildreth was stand;ng
several rods nearer to him than to the
mouse and talking very earnestly. with
L. L.
MS hand on tall Jack Houghtou's Shout
aer. The minister paused, for they
looked as If they were speaking in con-
hdence. and he wished neither To on
forward and interrupt them nor to re-
treat. just as he paused, Mrs. Hildreth
stepped down from the house. followed
by Connie cambridge. The minister
felt that it was awkward to be standing
there in indecision, and he blushed.
NO one saw him, however, for Mrs.
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 mo-
nent, 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
Houghtop on the arm. The minister
urned away when Houghton, taken by
and bending to her, spoke her
laIne.
Mrs. Hildreth and Robbie moved away
rom them and toward the minister.
Who stepped to meet them, smiling and
umbiing with his thoughts, for the
'ords he meant to say were gone. 1t ,,
that he did not need them. /.
or Mrs. Hildreth turned back and took !,
he other young people in the house. !.
,oobie Hiidreth's smile was merrier :
ban ever in his eyes. do you know .
he marriage service?" he asked. !
"Why-why, of course" stammered
he minister, 'but I've never" >,
"Then it's time you began" said o
obbie Hildreth, and he felt that the s,
Minister was trembling as he took him "
the arm and drew him toward the a
Dor. Its not dangerous thing, you !,
row. he added, reassuringly. 81 can a
stify, after 20 years." Is
The young minister flushed warmly, CT
at lis arm grew steadier. "You have m
lown what a beautiful thing it can be-" es
said. And yet he hesitated in the 10
'orway. for Mrs. Hildreth was at the &C
indow telling the men outside that in
ey might let the house stand still a in
tile while; so the two young people pr
ere standing alone together hand in M
ind. de could see their faces, and he pr
1t very sure that it would be an in dc
usion If he went forward to speak to ne
EN-. But Robbie HiIdreth was be- y,
nd him, pushing him gently, and Mrs. in
idreth had turned from the window. NJ
great stiffness fell like an invocation, W,
a, gathering his courage, he went to-