The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1900-03-15

more, neither thirst any more, neither
shall the darkness of death ever again
smite it, for it shall live forever in the
light Of that Lamb of God who gave
himself for the remission Of sins and
the life everlasting.
Philip did what he could on such an
occasion. 1t was not an unusual event
altogether He had prayed by many
a poor creature in the clutch of the last.
enemy, and he was familiar with his
face in the tenements. But this partic-
ular scene had meaning and left an
impression different from any he had
known before When finally he was at
liberty to go home for a little rest be-
fore the evening service. he found him
self more than usually tired and sor-
rowful. Mrs. Strong noticed it as he
came in. She made him lie down and
urged him to give up his evening serv.
ice.
''No, no. Sarah. can't do that!
am prepared. must preach! III get
a nap, and then III feel better" be
said.
Mrs. Strong shook her head, but Phil
lip was determined. He slept a little,
ate little lunch, and when the time
of service came he went up to the
church again. As his habit was, just
before the hour of beginning, he went
into the little room at the side of the
platform to pray by himself. When
he came out and began the service.
no one could have told from his man.
ner that he was suffering physically.
Even Mrs. Strong, who was watching
him anxiously, felt relieved to see how
quiet and composed he was.
He had commenced his sermon and
had been preaching with great elo-
quence for ten minutes when he felt a
strange dizziness and pain in his side
that made him catch his breath and
clutch the side of the pulpit to keep
from falling. 1t passed away. and he
went on. 1t was only slight hesita-
ton, and no one remarked anything
out of the way. For five minutes he
spoke with increasing power and feel
ing. The church was filed. 1t was
very quiet. Suddenly. without any
warning. he threw up his arms, uttered
a cry of half suppressed agony and
then fell over backward. A thrill of
excitement ran through the audience.
For moment no one moved; then ev-
cry one rose. The men in the front
pews rushed up to the platform. Mrs.
Strong was already there. Philips
head was raised. Philips old friend,
the surgeon, was in the crowd, and he
at once examined him. He was not
dead, and the doctor at once directed
the proper movement for his removal
from the church. AS he was being car
ried out into the air he revived and
was able to speak.
Take me home" he whispered to
his wife, who hung over him in a ter
ror as great as her love for him at that
moment. A carriage was called, and
he was taken home. The doctor re-
manned until Philip was fully con-
scious.
1T was very warm, and was very
tired, and tainted, eh, doctor? First
time ever did such thing in my life.
| am ashamed. spoiled the service"
Philip uttered this slowly and feebly
when at last he had recovered enough
to know where he was.
The doctor looked at him suspicious
IT,, You never tainted before, Ell?
Well, if 1 were you l would take care
not to faint again. Take good care of
him, Mrs. Strong. He needs rest. Mil
ton could spare dozen bad men like
me better than one like the dominic"
Doctor" cried Mrs. Strong in sud-
den fear, what is the matter? Is this
serious?"
Not at all. But men like your hus-
band are in need of watching. Take
good care of him.
Good care of him! Doctor, he will
not mind me! | wanted him to stay at
home tonight, but he wouldn't"
Then put a chain and paddock on
him and hold him inr' growled the
surgeon. He prescribed a medicine
and went away, assuring Mrs. Strong
that Philip would feel much better in
the morning.
The surgeons prediction came true.
Philip found himself weak the next
day, but able to get about. In reply
to numerous calls of inquiry for the
minister Mrs. Strong was able to re-
port that he was much better. About
IL o'clock, when the postman called,
Philip was in his study lying on his
lounge.
His wife brought up two letters. One
of them was from his old chum. He
read that first. He then laid it down
and opened the other.
At that moment Mrs. Strong was
called down stairs by a ring at the
door. When she had answered it, she
came up stairs again.
AS she came into the room she was
surprised at the queer look on Philips
face. Without a word he handed her
the letter he had just opened and with
the same look watched her face as she
read it.
ITO be Continued