Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1900-06-28
CHAPTER XXI.
Endure and Die"

Ethel thought of the dark-eyed noble
soldier who had been so attentive and
kind to her. She hoped he would re-
Join her IN the draWing-room, for his
conversation interested her. She
thought much Of his story, of that ter
rible scene under the burning Indian
sun; Of the murdered wife, the tortured
children, the husband whose greatest
pain was that he could not avenge
them Then she began to wonder how
he could ever again be light-hearted
enough to mix in the gay world, to
share it's pleasures or amusements.
She fancied that the memory of that
scene must be always with him. She
looked up with a start; the object of
her thoughts was standing before her.
His noble face was frightened with a
beautiful, luminous smile.
Miss st. Norman he said, you
look so deeply buried in your thoughts
that, if they are pleasant ones, it would
really be unkind to disturb you"
Her face flushed at his words. She
knew that she was thinking of him;
and then she caught herself wondering
Why this man had the power of call
ing those burning bushes to her face
when no other could.
May find a place near your" he in
CURED. Il should like to finish that
little discussion of ours"
She made way for him, and he sat
down by her side; but when the Tit
tie discussion" was ended, he showed
no great desire to leave her, and she
was almost unconscious of the great
pleasure she felt in his society. On
the table before them lay some ele-
gantly-bound books of poetry. He
opened one and looked carelessly
through it.
Which is your favorite poet, Miss
st. Norman?" he asked.
The one who teaches the best les
son OF endurance" she replied; "the
one whose pages are i of calm cour-
age and fortitude"
He looked at her in some surprise
Is endurance your favorite virtue?'
he asked
Yes, she answered, gravely.
Pardon me, you are young; how
can you have learned to care for a
hard virtue like that-one acquired
only after years of suffering?"
She thought to herself, IF he knew
if he only knew"
Perhaps" he continued, with the
smile she was beginning to like so
well, you admire it merely theoreti-
cally You like it so well, | trust you
may never be called upon to practice
it."
Why should you wish that?" she
asked, suddenly. Il thought men and
women never became thoroughly noble
until they had suffered. I have read
somewhere that suffering is the great
dignifer of life"
Il should say that much depends on
what the suffering is he replied,
thoughtfully. There can be do doubt
that that which comes from Heaven
ennobles those who bear it patiently
-ennobles them as nothing else can. -
But what of those who suffer by
their own fault" she cried eagerly
who have brought the punishment
Of their offenses on themselves
what of them?"
He looked slightly surprised at her
earnestness.
Even then" he answered, when it
is, as you say, their own fault, brought
IN,
and sin-ey then, | think such suf-
tering, patiently borne, ennobles man,
and woman, too; it teaches them les
sons they could learn in no other
school; it elevates them. As a rule, it
makes them kinder of heart, and more
considerate for Others"
Tell me another thing" she asked
which is the harder to bear, mental
or physical pain?"
Il should say mental pain. The
smart of a burn, the anguish of a
wound, the long distress of a severe
illness-aIl are hard to bear; but to
me they seem nothing when compared
with mental pain. The depression is
nothing when compared with mental
pain. The depression nothing can re-
move, the regret nothing can stife, the
despair nothing can alleviate-all
t3ese are far worse than mere physi-
cal pain
She looked up at him suddenly, and
then her eyes dropped and her face
flushed
n FrnirO 20 ox~1-
ton, he said. What is it? Your eyes
nave asked it already; your lips need
not hesitate to repeat it."
I shall be afraid of you,' she said
blushing; you read my thoughts"
I may guess them" he reioined; 81
cannot read them. What was the ques-
ton your eyes asked me?"
Have you suffered the mental pair
that you seem to understand so well?'
she inquired
He was silent for few minutes, anG
then he replied:
Yes, l have endured both; and,
repeat, physical pain is the easier t
bear"
She looked at the noble face, Will
its grand resolve; and again sh,
imagined that awful scene under tn
burning sun. She could fancy hin
wounded and bound; she could imagin
him, with stern face and firm lips
crying out: Set your teeth, and di
hard" Now that she knew him am
looked at him. she could better I'm
derstand all the brave endurance, tn,
courage, the fearlessness. VIVA