Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-07-31
him. His voice is, as 1t always was, a

him. His voice is, as 1t always was, a
| fine instrument. He knows how to
talk to people, and he writes uncom-
monty well. But on the other hand,
he is still awkward, homely of appear
ance and by no means always at his
best He loves people. He longs, as
Paul did, for the salvation of the
! world. And there lies the secret of his
work. It is nothing which other men
may not also have.
81 don't know minister in our
churches anywhere who might not
claim all that Malcom Kirk and his
wife have claimed. They have over
come the world by means Of their love.
by following the plain path of duty at
the cost of suffering, by not pleasing
themselves. They are still engaged in
the struggle. It viii never cease this
side Of death and paradise. But wish
that every pastor and every church
might come here and see what has been
done and what the future seems GER
tain to record. The most malignant
forces of evil have evidently arrayed
themselves against Kirk and his wife,
and so far these two have overcome
them all. Heaven has won the victory
out here, and do not know why 1t
should not do SO everywhere. Do we
want the world to be saved? Do we
have passion to. save it? Do we put
the kingdom first? If we did, should
we not see the results everywhere that
we see here? shall return home from
my visit to, Malcolm Kirk with that
question sounding In my heart"
There was one brief allusion in this
letter. which meant even more than
Wilson knew. It was his allusion to
what he called Malcolm Kinks ''pe-
culiar habits Of generosity" Indi-
rectly these led to events which have
to do with this history Of the human
conflict against sin and involved in
thattgrowing conflict all the members
of Kinks family.
A few days after Wilson'S departure
Faith and her mother were sitting to-
gether in the common room," as Faith
called it, the room that the family
used for dining and sitting room to-
gether. Dorothy was sewing, and
Faith was helping her with some work
on the boys suits.
1t was about II o'clock in the morn
ing, and Malcolm Kirk was up stairs
in his study. The boys were Mt school,
and Faith, who had finished the high
school. had been staying at home for
two years helping her mother.
"Mother, how does Gilbert manage
to tear his coat across the back like
that?" asked Faith, holding up that
garment and looking at it with grave
establishment.
Dorothy could not help smiling, al
though the next instant she sighed a
little.
"He said one Of the boys pushed him
against wire fence last Saturday
while they were out fishing near The
Forks"
''Well, the boy that did it ought to be
made to wear 1t after have mended
it. That would be making the punish
ment flt the crime,'" said Faith us
she stabbed the back of the coat with
big needle and began turning over
the basket to find some thread.
I'm sorry Gilbert hasn't better
suit said Dorothy grayely. "He must
Dry to get along with it this fall, any
way. Mend 1t, as carefully as you can,
Faith"
Eyes, ma'am," replied Faith. II am
trying to find something besides white
silk. At the same time, mother, don't
you think white silk on black back
ground would be a warning to Gilbert
not to get his coat torn again?"
Mrs. Kirk laughed, and before she
could answer the bell rang.
Faith put aside the work and went
to the door.
Can 1 see Mr.. KirkT asked a voice
that Dorothy recognized at once.
NO" said Faith decidedly. "Father
is in his study writing, and he ought
not to be disturbed"
"But he told me to call today, and 1
want to see him very much"
Did he tell you to call this morn
ing?
"Well-no-he said today. But I
couldn't come at any other time"
There was silence moment while
Faith stood holding the door uncertain
~, but still resolutely blocking the en-
trance.
Malcom Kirk came out of his study
at the top of the upper hall. as that
Mr.. Barnes, Faith? Tell him to come
up"
Faith at once stepped aside. and q
shabby looking man came in. AS he
passed the door of the sitting room he
bowed clumsily and said, "Good morn
Ing, Mrs. Kirk" Then he stumbled
noisily up stairs and entered Malcom's
study. The door closed, and Faith
went back to her work.
CHAPTER XIV.
FAITH LEAVES THE HOME NEST.
AS she picked up the coat she was
4 ~ o. \. - :