Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1899-06-12

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The other woman was everything
that his wife was not; especially was
she very beautiful, and Richard
Heatherton worshiped feminine
beauty. She was the niece and
adopted daughter of his richest and
most prominent member. Her activity
in every branch of the church's work
had thrown them, from the beginning,
very much and intimately together.
And he had learned for the first time
what love is, and its pangs.
So the inward conflict ragged. The
noon hour passed, but he remained
here in the stiffness OF the church and
his study. Sometimes he would walk
rapidly back aud forth, then lie would
sit at the desk with his face buried in
his hands. Some thing must be done.
This hopeless love was running his
life; it was making him unfit for work
of any sort; his sermons OF late had
been miserable failures; he was neg
lecting all his pastoral duties. Some
thing must be done, but oh, God,
what? He had many friends, but un-
der no circumstances would he ask
their counsel, and thereby reveal this
terrible secret of his soul. He knew
that his circumspection had been SO
great that no one had suspicion of
his love for Caroline. u He tried to
pray, but when he closed his eyes he
saw more yividly than ever her fair
face. He prayed with open eyes, but
that brought no relief. He reasoned
with himself: Was he to blame? Had
he not resisted this love with all his
might? Had he not tried TO keep
away from the woman and tried to
love his'wife? Why must he suffer-
But this reasoning only made his case
seem the more unfortunate and des-
perate. If Caroline would go away,
that would make his lot more bear
able; but she would not; that was the
most pitiable circumstance of all, that
she loved him as much as he did her.
He had seen it, he knew it, and God
have mercy on her! She was not SO
wise and reasonable as he, and she
would not go away, would not keep
out of his sight. If he could only tell
her to do this! But then he would
have to confess his love, and he could
imagine nothing more despicable than
that; he would rather die than do it.
He thought of his old life and work,
out there in Western Pennsylvania.
1t had been very monotonous and
commonplace, and yet he would
give all the world if that life could.
be his again, if he could blot the
remembrance OF Caroline Mason from
his mind. Gould he go back there, or
to some other distant place? No, his
ambition and pride and this splendid
opportunity were too great. And to
be away from her? 1t was what he
5aost devoutedly wished, and yet did
not believe he could bear it.
The afternoon passed away, and it
was almost dusk when he left the
church and went down into the city.
He had reached no definite decision;
the struggle still ragged in his breast.
There was o half conviction in his
mind that he ought to go away from
Caroline Mason, but as yet he had not
resolved to do this, and he disbe-
lieved in his strength of will to do it.
AS he turned to go down Market
street he met, face to face, Doctor
Monson. DIR. Monson was the secre-
tary of one the societies of the denomi-
nation to which Richard Heatherton
belonged, and was the young clergy
mans friend. They talked for a few
minutes together, and when about to
separate the doctor remarked:
"By tie way, Heatherton, have you
any old college friend or acquaintance
who wants position as teacher?
There is q vacancy just now in our
colored school at Atlanta. The salary
is fairly good, and it isn't at all bad
place for person who likes work Of
that sort"
Quick as thought the young mans
decision was made. Without O mo-
ment's hesitation he answered:
''See here, doctor, let me have this
place. I am resolved to leave Phila-
delphia, and for a while I should like
to take rest from the work of the
ministry. L have never been very
strong, and shall surely break down
if 50 on here"
This was only half truth, but his
pride made him dare 10 say it.
The doctor was Ostounded. The
clergyman's reasons for wanting to
give up such n fine field and such brill
liant prospects were SO vague and in
definite that he was half inclined to
believe him ont OF his head; he remon-
strated with him, but at length prom
isedithat the place should he his.
When Richard Heatherton read his
letter OF resignation the next Sunday
morning it created the most pro-
nounced kind of sensation; and not
wlthstending its statements and ex-
plantations, there was only one person
in that large congregation who really
knew why he had resigned.
The man himself felt he was coward
to do what he did, and yet that his
cowardice was the victory of his better
nature.-Waverley Magazine.