Omaha daily bee., 1896-08-02

girded his loins to obey. For now, in the
hour of trial, 1t proved that this mans faith
partook of the nature of their
faith; it was utter and virgin;
it was not closSed with nine
teenth century qualifications; it had never
dallied with strange doctrines, or kissed the
feet Of pinchbeck substitutes for God. In
his heart he believed that the Almighty,
without intermediary, but face to face, had
hidden him to go forth into the wilderness
there to perish, and he bowed his head and
went.
On the following morning, at breakfast,
Owen had some talk with his friend, the
Deputation.
"You asked me last night" he said,
quietly, whether l would undertake a mis-
sion to that people of whom you were telling
me, the Sons of Fire. Well, / have been
thinking 1t over, and come to the conclu-
sion that l will do So"
At this point the Deputation, concluding
that his host must be mad, moved. quietly,
but decidedly toward the door.
wait a moment" went on Owen, in a
matter-of+fact voice, "the dogcart will not
be round for another three-quarters of, an
hour. Tell me, If 1t were offered to you, and
IN investigation you proved suitable, would
you care to take over this living?"
Would / care to take over this living?'
gasped the astonished Deputation. Would
I care to walk into that garden and find
myself in heaven? But why are you
making fun of me?"
81 am not making fun of you. If I go to
Africa | must give up the living, of which
| own the advowson, and 1t occurred to me
that it might suit you, that Is all. You
have done your share; your health is broken
and you have many dependent upon you. 1t
seems right, therefore, that you should rest
and that l should work. If / do no good
yonder, at the least you and yours will be a
little benefited"
That same day owen CHANGED to. meet the
lady who has been spoken of as having
caught his heart. He had meant to go
away without seeing her. but fortune
brought them together. Hitherto, whilst in
reality leading him on, she had seemed to
keep him at a distance, with the result that
he did not know that 1t was her fixed in
tention to marry him To her, with some
hesitation, he told his plans. Surprised and
frightened into candor the lady reasoned
with him warmly, and when reason failed to
move him she did more. By some subtle
movement, with some sudden word, she
lifted the veil of her reserve and suffered
him to see her heart. "If you will not stay
for aught else" said her troubled eyes,
then. love. stay for me-"
For a moment he was shaken. Then he
answered the look straight out, as was his
nature.
81 never guessed" he said. "T did not
presume to hope-now it's too late! Listen,
! will tell you what l have told no living
soul, though thereafter you may tnlnk me
mad. Weak and humble, as | IN, / believe
myself to have received a Divine mission. l
believe that | shall execute it, or bring about
its execution, but at the ultimate cost of my
own life. Still, In such a service two are
better than one. If you-can care enough
IL you"
But the lady had already turned way
and was %murmuring her farewells in accents
that sounded like a sob. Love and faith
after this sort were not given to her.
OF all OWENS trials this was the sharpest,
OF all his sacrifices this was the most COM
plete,