Evening star., 1900-07-07

one gentleman to another, l want to ask
If ! may court and marry her?"
NO! No! No.' the parson shouted in
shrill crescendo Then. dropping his voice to
its common rich key: II take it you are
serious, Mr.. Cocke-therefore let me say l
appreciate the honor you have done my
daughter. But even If 1 knew that she
loved you, / could never bring myself to
countenance your suit / not only
father. but also. l hope. a Christian. The
Scriptures, which are the rule and law of
conduct, expressly say, BE not unequally
yoked together with unbelievers'
is that all you have against me?" Law
son asked, his tone challenge.
That is all-and everything" the parson
said gravely. Lawson laughed grimiy.
You are trying to throw away mighty
fine chance for missionary work. he said.
Peggy might convert me. 1t seems to me,
indeed. she could make of me almost any
thing she chose
Parson Gentry melted Instantly. THAT
so. LAWSON" he said genially. My dear
boy. only let me see you happy Christian
and there is no other man alive that
would so gladly trust with my girl. 1t will
indeed be a happy and very special provi-
dence if love of her can lead you to Christ
l do not fatter you in saying that your
conversion would mean mole for the Mas
ter's cause and kingdom than that of any
ten others among our young men. You
are their leader in everything"
stop" Lawson said. 'Parson. try TO put
yourself in my place. 1t comes natural to
you to be religious
"Ah. my son, You are wrong there" the
Iarson said. smiling. "Once ] was even as
you are-heid in the gall of bitterness the
bonds OF iniquity. Until 1 was twenty-five,
although | never drank more than l could
comfortably carry. sport of every sort was
my delight. l fought cocks. gained, threw
dice. made and rode matches
What? you?-' Lawson cried. The par
son bowed his head.
Even me-" he said. Now, you must see
that the power which plucked me. brand
from the burning, can, II only you will let
it. certainly pluck you
For almost minute Lawson looked at the
parson. his lips opening and closing as
though uncertain whether to speak. AT last
| he said
Mr.. Gentry. may 1 ask a question Of
the mali you were before you became a
minister"
The parson smiled indulgently. ASK
what you choose" he said. Il will answer
truthfully, II | answer at ALL
'.Ther-tell me this" Lawson said: do
! you really care nothing now for-the things
/ you gave up? mean. don't you ever hanker
! after forbidden things-yearn to be free
even riotous?"
| The carnal mind Is at enmity to God,
| the parson quoted softly. Then he added
reverently: God gives us new hearts. but
| II takes His grace, and very much of It, 10
| keep them pure and steadfast. The old
! Adam dies hard in every one of us. We
| keep him under only by help of a strength
beyond our own
| 1Ou WOulQn care 1Or hOrSeS II there
| were no race tracks?" Lawson said, tenta-
| lively
Yes. / would the parson said sharply.
I "A good horse. in full action, is to me the
| horse. just for itself. / do not mind con
| Tossing to you. though. that when one OF
| mine wins I have quite the same thrill OF
| delight that came of winning on anything
| back in the old sinful days. That Is to say
| l am human. and man. man / must
| continue. until this mortal shall have pu,
| on Immortality. -
| Say. parson.'' Lawson broke in irrele-
vanity. rs 1t true. what I've been hear,
| ing-that If Blue Bonnet wins the Fourth
| of July stake you intend to build new
church with the purse?"
quite true! Why do you ask?" the par
| son said. We both know that to wiz
! goes to help spread the gospel.
/ Because / want to give you a chance OF
| doing something more for your faith" Law.
son said: We both know that to wir
you've got to beat my mare. Roxane. Its
| the same as a match-none of the othci
three really count. Now. since owners o,
| owners friends must ride, why should moi
! We two ride against each other and II wr
you agree to give me Peggy without condi
tons: II you, agree to do my very best &c
get religion?'
impossible, Impossible! Who ever heard
| OF such a thing?" the parson said-but
| Lawson saw his eye sparkle and a quick
flush leap into his cheek. The parson was
| essentially Christian militant. Back II
the old days he might have led a rapturous
| crusade. Lawson pressed, undismayed:
i why Is II impossible? Unusual l grant
but so 1t is unusual to minister.
colors on the track. and racetrack money
on the missionary plate. / thought yol
ministers held nothing too hard IL 1t mean
saving soul from DEATH
Il do not the parson said quickly. Law
son ran on:
1T won't be exactly easy for me. Every
body knows me for an unbeliever-as my
father was before me. Everybody will b,
sure to say am a rank hypocrite-pretend
ing TO care for finding and saving my SOU