The age-herald., 1898-12-18
THE MURMUR
 OF THE WORLD

paused at the corner of the streets to salute reverently maiden rev- erenced. She was radiant, beantifnb worshipful. T had hoped to see you,' she said cordially, flor I've got something to tell you" The slave bowed and begged for the story from one, who through the changefuI and changing years had uncon- sciously pointed his way to the better life They two stepped into a doorway out of reach of the passing throng and faced each other in the confidence of old-time com radeship.
 T am going to be married,' she said, and spoke as calmly and quietly as If She had been stating that she was about to take a drive.
 t'What?" the world-worn slave demanded, for once thrown off his guard.
 1T am going to be married. and I wished you to know it. she answered. ITO whom?" demanded her listener.
 "A very dear friend of yours,' she an- swered quietly, and then gave the name of the luckiest man between the bounding seas.
 The slave was silent for a moment She. the noblest type of southern womanhood, stood superbly erect. defiant in the glorious >NeAo6S OA foNSt A.dJcSliC III Hldiuttiiy esty. She was the noblest picture ever yet presented to any man, as she stood there in the doorway and told the wondrous story of her own life. It was summed up in that straight declaration of q am going to be married"
 She glorified all the commonplace sur roundngs The carts in the streets became oil pha iofc bo in armor and ladies in high-reaching ruffs or the bouffant of the shepherdess. The sunshine took on a more golden hue, and even the noises of the crowded city became an anthem resounding from the holy of the holies.
 They both were silent for space, and then he said: You would believe me to be silly if 1 said, I congratulate you So I'll not say that. But I must say I am pro- foundly grateful. It is my privilege to share in some small degree your happiness It has been for many years mine to pay you the only tribute an earnest man knowing your worth could pay you. In your pres ence have always uncovered, for you have always commanded my reverence. You have said to him who has won you, Thou shalt guide me- You are wise. At your wedding shall not blow trumpet for that would not be seemly in one of my station; but my heart beats shall be the notes of cathedral bells. The measure of my poof joy shall be full'
 'I wished you to know" she answered quieetly, flor I knew you would like to know" And so the reverenced maiden passed on her way. Tomorrow or on an- other day, perhaps, you shall know her name and that of the noble young man who has come to claim her as his own It is the most worthy union within my knowledge Of young men and women.
 It is not for me to name names in this story of love. That will be told elsewhere and in good time by another-might I say by my fair namesake? But that avowal at the crossing of the streets were worth years of devotion. By George it was beau- tiful! The proud "young person" had ar- ranged to get married, and she told me So proudly. This is in confidential for the moment" she said. q wished you to know" Certainly. It is confidential for 1 ''ain't >namin no names'' But all my lit- tie space rings with her joy and his. Do you know, I never in all my two-world experience knew anything quite so beau- tiful as that proud young woman standing at the crossing of the streets, in view of the needless multitude, and telling me that she was going to take the most momen- tous step any young woman can take in this life! It was absolutely thrilling. It glorified that dull and dusty pavement; and likely enough I shall pass that spot daily for fifty years to come, but never without taking hope from her beautiful and lova-s .-ble life. It shall be shrine to me, for she who stood there is of the elect
 The joy of the world dissipates all clouds of sorrow, my beloved. From ghostly ris Inc soul springs upward to greet the beauti- full, and sinks into slumber to dream of beauty That which is utsightly may per- tain to this life, but it need not really con- cern us. There is so much to interest US that is almost divine Beautiful women, the laughter of children, the perfume of flowers, the sunshine. the gentle radiance of the stars, the moons softest glow, the greetings of friends, the good-morrow of our beovedl These things hide the char nal house from view and chase care be- yond the mountain. Beyond the Alps lies Italy forever. In a low, green valley of the Tyrol love huns gentle melody with the spinning wheel, and love tells its sweet little story the globe around
 
 In no noble heart ever yet dwelt hate. The abiding place of all that is not loving and loveable Is found in the hearts of the vulgar and the vicious. Above all, truth hovers with outspread pinions and the unnameable graces of the angels. In the presence of truth error stands abashed, and God is pleased. The curses and impreca- tions of the wicked echo amongst the damned in the deepest depths of the in- fernal. The maiden's prayer is caught by the choir invisible and sung in the court of the Most High. So also with the prisons of mothers young and old 'I am not fit to pray" wrote a strong man to me years ago, ''but surely my wfe's prayers for our child are heard by God" Her prayers were heard God loves her as one of the noblest of all His creatures. It does not matter much about men. Women redeem the world All men are in a certain sense rakes Women are the evangels of this life They make the world beautiful The bride is the glorious promise of humanity. The mother Is the fulfillment of that promise.
 { Here's cup to the married already. JIurrah for the next that marriesi
 THE MURMURER.