The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1900-07-08

road, which ran Just outside the track
enclosure. Parson Gentry looked up,
scowling the least bit. He knew tho
voice-of all men in the world he hat
ed to have Lawson Cooke see his dis
comfiture. Lawson had reined in his
horse thrown his left leg sidewise
over the pommel, and sat facing him,
with a set look, new and strange. If
the parson had been wording he
would have whistled at the sight. Be-
ing what he was, he merely rubbed
his hands, and stared trifle harder
I'm here for something something
particular" Lawson began. The par
son, cut him short: 81 thought So" he
said, nodding energetically. But
you'd as well go right home. You
can't have her. I've made up my mind
not to part with her to anybody"
''How if she makes up her mind -
otherwise" Lawson said low and
hard. The parson stared more than
ever, then broke into quick laugh
So | understand! You think her
minds already made up; that she's
too much a handful for me-" he said.
'Well, the fact is, young man, | don't
ever expect to make her my riding
j
81 see-you're talking of Blue Bon
net" Lawson said. The parson nodd-
ed. "Of course. Haven't you come to
try to buy her? Stevens, your train
or, told me you said you meant TO
have he'd if it took every dollar you
got from the old mans estate"
I've changed my mind" Lawson
said shortly
"Then what do you want?' the par
son blurted out.
'Peggy!" Lawson said laconically.
''What is more, | mean 10 have her.
You have just made up my mind for
me-
Are you drunk or crazy? You
must be one or the other. Why, my
girl knows nothing whatever about
you the parson began angrily. Law
son held up his hand. "She knows me
enough to love meas | love her" he
said Nov, sir, I've no need to say
anything of myself-you know all
about me much better than | do--as
one gentleman to another, | want 10
ask if | may court and marry her.
mo! mol! MOL" the parson shouted
in shrill cresendo, then dropping his
voice to it's common rich key: Il take
it YOU are serious, Mr.. Cocke-thcre-
fore let pe say | appreciate the honor
YOU have done my daughter. But even
if / knew that she loved you | could
never bring myself to countenance
your suit | am not only a father,
but also. I hope. Christian. The
scriptures, which are the rule and law
of conduct. expressly say, BE not UNI
1,o /, hnli p-r-
ers.'"
rs that all you have against me-"
''That is all-and everything the
parson said gravely. Lawson laugh
ed grimly:
You are trying to throw away a
mighty fine chance for missionary
work. he said. Peggy might con-
vert me. 1t seems tome, indeed, she
could make of me almost anything
she chose"
Parson Gentry melted Instantly:
That's so, Lawson?" he snid genial
~. MY dear boy, only let me see
you Il happy Christian, and there is no
other man alive that | would SO glad
ly trust with my girl. 1t will indeed
be happy and very special providence
if love of her can lead you 10 Christ
/ do not fatter you in saying that
your conversion would mean more for
the masters 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. It comes
natural to you to be religious
'Ah, my son! You are wrong there,
the parson said, smiling. Once | was
even as you are-held in the gall of
bitterness, the bonds of iniqnlty. Tn
til | was, 25, although ] never drank
more than | could comfortably carry,
sport of every sort was ny delight.
| fought cocks. threw dice, made and
rode matches"
"What? you?" Lawson cried The
parson bowed his head
Even me-" he SAID Now, You
must see that the power which spluck-
ed me, a brand from the burning can,
if only you will let it, as certainly
pluck you"
For almost a minute Lawson looked
at the parson, his lips opening and
closing as though uncertain whether
to speak At last he said;
Mr. Gentry, may | ask question of
the Man you were before you be-
came Minister"
The parson smiled indulgcrtiy. ASK
what you choose he said. Twill an
swer truthfully, if | answer at all
"Then-tell me this" Lawson said;
do you really care nothing now for
the things you gave up? ] mean.
don't you ever banker after forbidden
things-yearn to be free--cvcn riot
ous?"
1.-The carnal mind is al enmity to
God the parson quoted softly. Then
he added reverently: God gives us
new hearts, but it takes his grace, and
very much of it, to keep them pure
and steadfast. The old Adan dies
hard in every one of us. We Keep him
under only by help of strength be-
yOnd our own"
You wouldn't care for horses if
there were no race tracks" Lawson
said, tentatively.
Eyes, | would" the parson said
sharply. "a good horse, in full action,
is to me the finest sigh in the world.
] love a good horse, just for itself.
do not mind confessing to you,
though, that when one of mine wins.