The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-04-02

lsss was his own at last; his highest
ambition had been gratihed. With
words OF con~gratuiatlon his friends
l,rowded around him; Il was a Joyous
Atmosphere indeed. while his wife saz-
el at him with the love-llght In her
5,yes.
Dearest" he exclaimed. suddenly, as
iss withdrew with her for a moment to a
3cornsr OF the apartment which over
hooked the sarden with Its winding
i,,,hs, from which strains OF music
i.,o.c, inviting all to the dance; dear
IN, I mus, leave thee now"
"oh, Abne-." the bride half eobbed
In reply, .'wouldst thou leave me at
Has moment OF all moments III the
J Grid? Why. the echoes OF the mar
D dac. blessings still resound in the air.
3Tbl,her wouldst thou 20. dearest?
jsurelv," she added, with a look OF re-
\ brosch, 'thy place Is now at my side.
/ Touldst thou forsalke me on u we'd
ding day."
"Nay, my beloved; make no close In
i,u,ry, nor seek to restrain me. | must
4 70. | have sworn TO 30. Only trust In
4 me and doubt not my falthtulness. |
4 shall return within n hour, and then
explain all to the. Have no fear for my
/ snkc." Aud without further farewell
taau a quick embrace, Abner LEFT her
4 and hurried into the open air before the
4 as,onished guests could realize that the
bridegroom was missing.
n Wall ...
OF all the youth In Jerusalem Abner
and Caleb were the comeller lads, and
A their friendship had srcH: into a pro-
verb. Close companions at school from
/ boyhood to early manhood, no love
could have been more tender, no SYM
pathy more profound, than that which
made them kindred spirits They were
fond Of the same pleasures, they shared
the same dreams; their studies and &C.
cupatlons were alike, their aspirations
i Identical. They loved to give free rein
10 their fancies with youths rapt en-
/ thusiasm and build such dream-pa(aoes
4 that the magic splendor of Solomon's
creations paled In comparison. What
a daring architect Is youth! 1t knows
j not the Impossible. It bridges the chasm
Of infinite time; Il rears a structure TO
the highest heaven. II summons to Its
1 aid municipalities and powers. and never
4 acknowledges defeat. Love and hope
and faith are the patient aenii who at
/ It's exultant bidding transform earth
and sky.
Among the topics which Abner and
4 Caleb were fond of discussing as they
grew to maturity the future life and
/ immortality appealed to them most
\ strongly. The fact that 1t was but DIM
] " foreShador-ed In the law and the
4 prophets added TO its fascination. and
the rare reference to It In the debates
1 OF tie schools only increased Its hold
upo: them. One day, In the heat OF
thei. argument, Caleb. more impass!on-
ed than usual. had seized his compan-
!an'c hand.
"Atnsr" he exclaimed. "wouldse
:aou krow the secrets OF eternal life?"
why, Caleb" Abner rejoined. moved
ty his friends earGestness. "wha. a
nIaase question to ask? Bcw can we
a!o!tals understand aught OF Immortal
i.y: Does not our law say that the
sectet things belong Il the Lord"
Faith can pierce all barriers. dear
! friend" Caleb answered icIpressively,
al'A lpNI. biiodpI y ltu hsotl Sight,
can make It's " revelation"
What Gost thou mean, Caleb, by
those mysterious words and thrilling
tones" Abner inquired, deeply stirred.
for he felt that never before had their
conversation been 20 earnest.
"Dost thou no: believe. Abner. in i'm
mortality"
Surely, Caleb, I do, as the central
conviction of my nature"
IT this Is thy belief, then, may not
the Immortal spirit seek converse with
mortality and minister to the wants and
desires OF mortal flesh on earth?"
Caleb. thou shouldst not speak in this
eirai!!. II Is almost ~blaSphemy. Think
Of the fate of The son of Aaron who
brought strange fire into the sanctu-
ary!!"
Nay, Abner, I am guilty OF no bias
pheny. l am convinced that those who
IaSs from life do not become as petrl-
ned as the slabs that them. They
mover around those who loved them and
wnom they loved on earth and mircIe In
their Joys and scrrows."
II must be so. Caleb. IL thou thlnkest
so" said Abner after n pause.
Come, .Abner." Caleb solemuly ex-
- ~ swear ny tie tIplndl
mat It either Of us die the survivor
shall seek 70 communicate with The de-
VdFtea on" ana visit the sepu!cher at the
moment nj his highest happiness on
earth. Then |; Is my f~ervent belief thai
inc secret OF heavenly happiness will be
nnlolded, and We shall attain the high
eS. degree OF intelligence"
me compact WAS made-nn unusla
ming In those days among the Nous
"eWlsa youtb-aEd the Conversation
eHuef. In q few years Caleb died. and
AoheT. disconsOlatc and detected. dis
uhl'lcc Tor a while all society. hut spent
tne largest share OF his leisure Mt the
!EleA"s grave, rejecting OH his genial
mai'S ana their loving intercourse.
me- however. works It's magica,
euEhses; ana now he had married.
Inad almost forgotten thee, beloved
.aieo.' said .tbner softly to himself as
nc iest the crowded streets OF J~e:ugaIeu
ohu sained the roadway leading to the
cemetery. Surely this Is the hnpric5t
moment OF my life. welded Ia The orc I
nola most dear. Could there be a more
hli!nS tine TO think OF thee and our
mutual oath?"
II did not take long. for the distance
vas snort and he walked Will, hurried
FPS before Abner found himself clcre
tne simple slab that covered the re-
%a,ns OF Caleb. Flinglng himself upon
ne save way TO his emotions. bu, by
,Sr"hs effort MS sclf-cont"ol gained
Wy mastery. Then he communed thus
WIN the spirit of his friend:
bSinFed Caleb. not with fear and
rs"nDIinE but with glad confidence I ap-
n.%ac!' thcc. Thou rcmemberest our
s nm l nave come to thy grave at the
sr' .oc 0 my happiness. to lcarn of thy
apI1ienee IN the realms Of bliss. Thou
pvaiIest u converse In those Joyous
r!ls OF youth when 1t was our desire TO
nr,ce AT mystery. BE near 10 me now.
I IT. friend, and In thy purified state up