The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1900-09-20

as ne saw the beginning OF her answer.
She had learned to love him during
his absence abroad, during her recent
sorrow, during the days that followed
her bereavement. 1t was not so sud-
den as it might seem, for Dorothy had
learned when Raleigh spoke to her
that afternoon that the greatest rea-
son why she could not love him was
because she already loved Malcom
Kirk. So she gave him then and there
this side Of heaven will you know the
power Of that flood that lifted your
heart and all 1t contained when you
first heard the woman you loved say
as she lifted her face to yours: "Yes,
will share your life with you. Yes,
love you"
Two hours later Malcom Kirk went
out into the starry night and down on
the sea beach, and with the freshness
of the sea breeze blowing about his un-
covered head he thanked God for the
precious, priceless gift Of this wom-
ans heart. They had had much to
say, as true lovers always have. Al
ways they had come back to the undy-
ing theme of their love for each other.
"She loves me-" he kept saying to him
self And the waves and the night
wind and the stars and the harhor
lights and the pines near the beach all
Joined in the same song. He walked
up and down the sands until the early
morning. He found his face wet once
with tears. He ran across long strip
Of beach eXultant and walked from
one of his reverles to find himself knee
deep in water for the tide was coming
in, and he knew nothing of tides, only
Of the one that had risen in his own
spirit.
But he drew back out of the water,
laughing, and finally found his way to
the inn down by the pier where he
had brenkfastcd. But what he ate or
whether he ate anything was probably
unknown to him; at least lie was not
able TO give Dorothy satisfactory an
swcrs when he came back to the house.
His dream was n reality. She met
him with the look on her face that was
never to die out of 1t as long as he
lived. and together they went 10 see
Mrs. Pcnrose.
DOrothy's aunt was somewhat per-
picked and. to tell the truth. u good
deal astonished at the events OF the
last "a hours. Dorothy had told her
nll, and there was no question in Mrs.
Pcnrose's mind that the daughter Of
John Gilbert had made her definite
glad choice Of this awkward, unhani-
some. poor young minister as her fu-
ture husband. She could not deny
that the young man was Il gentleman:
also that he had very superior quail
ties of mind and heart. But the fact
remained that he had no prospects ex-
cept his Home Missionary field and a
somewhat uncertain income from oc-
casional writings.
When she pictured Dorothy in a sod
house or dugout or shanty in that
vague, wild, uncouth place called "out
west" living in a parish of plain. un-
cultured people, such as she placdly
took for granted lived on the prair'
Mrs. Penrose felt as II n
strange choice was the strangest ,nlu.
she ever knew.
Sand yet she loves him truly" she
said to herself as Dorothy aud Nal
com Kirk came in that morning. both
OF them glorified by the greatest thing
In all the world. Dorothy had never
looked so beautiful. Kirk had never
felt so like giant in possibility.
Dorothy had anticipated remon-
strances and opposition from her aunt.
She was surprised and gratIiied to find
how calmly Airs. Penrose accepted the
matter. Even Which, NalrJm Kirk eX-
pressed his wish. gravrly. but with
tlrmness, that they might be married at
once and go together to the new par.
ish to begin their life together Mrs.
Penrose offered no decided objection.
"lou are neither Of you children"
she finally said to Dorothy. with sad
smile. "iou know your own minds by
this time. want you to be married
here in this house, of course. 1t seems
very sudden. But don't blame Mr.
Kirk"
"Of course not" said Malcom Kirk
decidedly as he looked Dorothy In the
face.
So 1t came about that month later
the president Of the seminary faculty
came down to Beverly one morning.
and Dorothy and Malcom Kirk were
married in the presence Of very few
Of DOrothy's Hermon friends and two
Of Kinks classmates who had been
settled over parishes near Boston
Kirk had made all his preparations for
leaving. A few days before he was
married the president Of the faculty
had surprised him with the announce
ment that the sales of his pamphlet
had been set aside by the publishers
for the benefit Of the seminary, but by
unanimous consent the entire amount,
something over 5000, was now at
Kinks disposal. Malcom Kirk was
not going to be penniless bridegroom