Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-07-10
in, and he knew nothing of tides. only
of the one that had risen in his own

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 breakfasted. But what he ate or
whether he ate anything was probably
unknown to him; at least he was not
able to give Dorothy satisfactory an
swers when he came back to the house.
His dream was a reality. She met
him with the lock on her face that was
never to die out of it as long as he
lived, and together they went to see
Mrs. Penrose.
Dorothy's aunt was somewhat per-
picked and, to tell the truth, good
deal astonished at the events of the
last "a hours. Dorothy had told her
ALL and there was no question in Mrs.
Penrose's mind that the daughter Of
John Gilbert had made her definite
glad choice of this awkward, unhand-
some, poor young minister as her fu-
ture husband. She could not deny
that the young man was gentleman;
also that he had very superior quail
ties of mind and heart But the fact
remained that he had no prospects en-
cept his Home Missionary field and a
somewhat uncertain income from oc-
casional writings.
When she pictured Dorothy in sod
house or a dugout or shanty in that
vague, wild, uncouth place called "out
west" living in a parish of plain, I'M
cultured people, such as she placidly
took for granted lived on the prairies,
Mrs. Penrose felt as If Dorothy's
strange choice was the strangest thing
she ever knew.
"And yet she loves him truly" she
said to herself as Dorothy and 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 gratified to find
how calmly Mrs. Penrose accepted the
matter. Even when Malcolm Kirk ex-
pressed his wish, gravely, but with
| firnness, 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.
you are neither of you children"
she finally said to Dorothy, with sad
smile. "You know yoar own minds by
this time I want you to be married
here in this house. Of course. 1t seems
very sudden. But l don't blame Mr..
Kirk
"0f course not" said Malcom kirk
decidedly as he looked Dorothy in the
face.
So it 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 Hcrmon 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. Malcolm Kirk was
not going to be q penniless bridegroom
in any case. He had already received
since his return from abroad several
checks for writing he had done dur
ing his last year in the seminary and
! while in London. So he was able 10
start toward the new home with much
courage and the knowledge that Dor
| othy would not miss too many Of the
old Injuries.
But Dorothy, once she had given her
heart to Malcolm Kirk and said to him
that she would share his life entered
upon new and contented experience,
such as in all her luxurious life she
had never before felt. 1t is perfectly
true that she loved him without con-
dition. She put her hand In his with
the trustful confidence of child, and
| ~ 10 Nv SNshSS5Clallou " SIG
would have been happy with him any
where, rich or poor, famous or OBJ
scure, successful or defeated.
The train whirled them on into the
west. Into the land of the prairies.
Into the land of new things, Of those
vague possibilities that always 80 with
an untried community. And Dorothy
every moment felt more and more con-
tent. Malcolm Kirk satisfied her ideals.
His noble nature was continually re-
vealing to her new phases Of his Chris
tan purpose. He had enthusiasm, and
he was the only man who had ever
been able to kindle hers. The thought
that they were to work together filled
her with heavenly delight. She re-
joiced in his strength, his manhood, his
inward life.
AS for Malcom Kirk, he was trans
formed by all that he now possessed.
His poor Home Missionary church be-
came to his thought a gigantic engine
of power, with this glorious woman
now his wife, who was to be by his