The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-05-19

that his wlfe was not, eSpeclhhy WIS
she very beautiful, and Richard |
Heatherton worshiped feminine
beauty. Sho was the niece and
adopted daughter Of his richest anc
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 leaned for the first time
what love is, and its paugs.
So the inward conflict ragged. The
noon hour passed, but lie remained
here in the stiffness of the church anC
his study. Sometimes he would walk
rapidly back aud forth, then he 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 ON, 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. He tried to
pray, but when he closed his eyes he
saw more vividly 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 oil his
might? Had he not tried to keep
y 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,
i that would make his lot more bear
able: but she would not; that was tho
: most pitiable circumstance Of all, that
l. she loved him rs much as he did her.
He had seen it, he knew it, and God
= have mercy on her! She was not 80
wise and reasonable as he, and she
y would not go away, would not keep
out of his sight If he could only tel
her to do this! But then he woult
II have to confess his love, and he could
..i.. ..,L:., ...~.o ovspi.a,,,u ni..'
B. 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 ant
~ commonplace, and yet he woul'
x give all the world if that life coul'
y be his again, if he could blot tn
& remembrance OF Caroline Mason from
* his mind. Could he go back there, o
s to some other distant place. No, hi
Is ambition and pride and this spendi'
g opportunity were too great. And t
be away from her? 1t was what h
h most devoutedly wished, and yet di
l. l., I
he The afternoon passed away, aud
'd was almost dusk when he left tn
tn .L-~,L ess>l -..o,>t 1.-so,. "a .S'Jr e;isI
~ There was half conviction in hi
), mind that he ought to go cway fror
", Caroline Mason, but as yet he had no
:" resolved to do this, aud he disbe
- lieved in his strength OF will to do il
:. AS he turned to go down Marke
~ street he met, face to face, Docto
~ Monson. DR.. Mouson was the secre
~ tary OF one the societies of the denomi
= nation to which Richard HeatLerto,
" belonged, and WAS tho young clergy
mans friend. They talked for II fey
minutes together, and when about t.
= separate the doctor remarked:
- by the way, IIcatherton, have yo,
. any old college friend or acquaintance,
" who wants IL position as teacher
- There IL vacancy just now in oul
{ colored school at Atlanta. The salar,
> is fairly good, and it isn't at all bai
= place for n person who likes work OF
y that sort.
It Quick as thought the young man.
decision was made. Without a mo
y, ment's hesitation he answered:
. "See here. doctor, lot me have this
: place. | am resolved to leave Phila.
:. delphia, and for Il while | should like
to take rest from the work of the
ministry. [ have never been yer,
strong, and | shall surely break down
. ii go on here"
u This was only half truth, but his
=. pride made him dare 10 say it.
y The doctor was astounded. The
, clergyman's reasons for wanting to
give up such fine field and such bril-
, 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
, ised that the place should be his.
=. When Richard lleatherton read bis
Morning it created the most pro.
nounccd kind OF sensation; and not
wlthstandinS its statements and ex-
pianahons, 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
cowardicc was the victory of his better
nature. -Wavcrley Magazine.