Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1896-08-06

INTO the hOWllnG gloom.
mo, my good man." the pastor
burst out with half indignant energy.
"the Lord does not demand Of us that
we shall loap straight into the jaws of
death and then expect him to rescue us.
We must exercise common prudence.
We have but one life. and IL is a sin
against him who gave 1t to stake 1t
recklessly."
The two peasants, father and son,
stood awkwardly holding their sou'west-
ers in front Of them and gazing ut tho
floor, where a large puddle Of water
was spreading about each Of them.
II can't answer you with Scripture,
parson," began the elder huskily. II
hain't got much book l'arnin, but if /
could help a poor soul ON the way
"Oh. do come, parson." implorcd the
younger, while tears rolled down his
cheeks. "She's a-cryin in agony, and
nobody but you can help her."
"Shc has been a good and hard
workin woman" resumed the father in
broken tones, "and-and-I reckon she
hain't got no very bad sins on her Nom
science. But all the same she's mighty
skcered, aud she's a-cryin out for priest
and sacrament, believin as she can't 60
to heaven without them. But I reckon
-God-hc won't be 30 hard on her.
He'll be more mcrciful to her than you"
Hulda. who had listened, all aquiver
with sympathy, here sprang up, stepped
up to the old peasant, seized his hand
and with a sob in her throat broke out
"Oh, don't I wish I were a pricsti /
would go with you"
Child, child, demonstrated her fa.
ther. feeling acutcly tho rebuke which
her words implied, "you don't know
what you are saying"
He began to pace tho floor in intense
agitation and was about to address to
her IL sterner rcproof when Mr.. Falck
quietly rose and said: II am a priest.
/ will 60"
ICED bless you for thatr' cried the
elder peasant, starting forward as if he
meant to carry him off bodily.
II am greatly obliged to you for your
willingness, Nj. Falck," calculated the
pastor. much relieved, but l cannot
permit You to 60. l am yet of o. Mon
that it is going beyond what duty de-
mands Of us. / would not mind much
that your going would be u reflection
upon me. But-but-you have duties
toward others than yourself"
Falck moved his lips. but could not
utter a sound. His eyes We're fixed upon
Hulda with u sudden intensity of mean
ing, and there seemed to flare up in her
glance II responsive fire which lighted
her face with II rare beauty. She felt
u thrill during that moment of a sacred
fame, and the plain man with the pale,
scholarly face who stood before her be-
came miraculously transmitted, reveal
ing the soul Of a hero. She knew that
it was for her sake and hers alone that
he was ready to stake his life. But that
in nowisc detracted from his heroism.
1t rather added u romantic touch to it
which made it doubly beautiful.
"Goodby, Hulda,' he said. Selling
her hand and pressing it hard. Tiff
we never meet ELECTROMAGNETIC
But he could go nc further. The pal
lor OF his face deepened, and great
sweat drops burst out upon his brow.
He dropped her hand and wake rapid.
ly across the floor and out Of the room.
The two peasants made haste to follow
him. The pastor rose once more, went
to the window and listened to the spas
moaic drumming Of the rain upon the
panes. He watched the long, straight,
slanting lines, obliterated every now
and then by a showering charge which
Geluged everything from top &C. bottom.
He seemed completely absorbed in
mournful meditation.
"You shpuld not have done that.
daughter" he said at last with a deep
sigh. You have sent him to his death.
The chances are tel. to ono against his
ever returning"
1T that very moment she heard heavy
steps in the hall, followed by a tremen-
dous bang which shook the house. She
started up with a terrified face, and the
thought that she had sent a human be-
ing forth tn his death came over her
with awful vlyi!A4rA She saw Falck
struggling i'll the waves that swep over
AAAA WIN AtAA UNNl AttalU. NnG SAW MN
stretch forth his hands to her az If i'm
plorlng her to save him, and she fancied
him sinking out Of sight in the black
whirling abyss. Stung with remorsc,
she sprung across the floor into the outer
hall, struggled for a moment with the
great hall door and plunged out into
the storm. 1t was pitch dark except for
q ftful CLEAN which moved q few hun.
dred feet away from her, vanishing and
reappearing again. A vast rhythmic roar
filled the sky. and the ~leaflcss chestnuts
naples in the garden act up a mighty
vail as they writhed and swnyed in the
wind. The n, flashing her face, had
drenched h.r garments in an instant
and poured chilly streamlets down her
back. Setting her face against the gale
nay, throwing her whole might against
it-she wrestled with her ghostly foe,
fighting desperately for every inch Of