Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-07-24

We're they about to break that pron,tsef
If he had any real strength that way,
ought he to abandon the cause at this
critical time? But how could Dorothy
live this life Of privation? How could
he go on with his meager salary, hui
inflated by being in debt to the trades
people and dependent for his living on
the spasmodic giving Of the churches
that Endorsed" home missions, to be
sure, but left the Home Missionary Of
ten unpaid OF the recipient of boxes
which sometimes were SO clearly in
the nature Of charity that no self re-
specting man could take and use the
contents?
All this and more crowded into NAL
CONS mind as he stood there that night
by the ruins of his church and home.
The same thoughts were also in the
mind of Dorothy, and with it all it
/ seemed, too, as If to both of them came
a half suppressed doubt as to the
course Malcolm was on the point of
taking.
Don't you feel that we have tried
our best to keep that promise we made
| that night Ia the church" Dorothy
asked, as she neryously pushed her
foot against one of the stones at the
corner Of the foundation.
Malcolm did not answer at first Then
he said evasively, as if he had been
thinking Of something else. "I'm sure l
can do as much with my pen as can
| in church"
| Dorothy did not look up or speak for
some time. Then she said with rather
eager emphasis:
why not write at once to the editor
and tell him that you will accept his
| otfer?"
II WILL" said Malcolm in low tone.
| They stood little while longer by
the ruins, and then turned away and
went home. Somewhere in the great
spaces Of the infinite to Malcolm and
Dorothy it almost seemed as if sigh
| from an angel of light breathed over
the sleeping town that lay on the black
| ened surface of the prairie. What they
felt was the inner uneasiness of spirit
that the promise they had made three
years before had been, If not broken,
at least not lived out as it might have
been. In Malcom's heart as he said to
Dorothy, II WILL" there was a distinct
uncertainty of feeling. There was a
lack Of spontaneous joy at his action
which he knew well enough meant that
somewhere he had not been true to the
best that was In him.
4 NavortbaIncS n ha ~, or,, In lo
| the letter in answer to the editor. ac-
cepting the position and asking him to
| give him time to sever his relations
with the church, etc.
He took the letter and went out early
after breakfast to mail it. He would
hand in his resignation at the weekday
| church meeting and write to the super
intendent later in the day.
He was thinking it all over as, he
neared the main street. when farm
wagon drove up noisily and stopped
| near him.
ooh, Mr. Kirk, will you come right
| out to The Forks with me? Phil is in
a terrible way and has been calling for
you all night"
II was MTS. burton, anu ner tnln,
eager face looked down at Malcolm as
she sat there looking at him anxiously.
Into Malcolm Kinks heart there came
| distinct shock almost as If he had
been detected in doing selfish thing.
Here again was this appeal for help
| coming at a time when it seemed to
him as If the burden he was carrying
| was too great for him.
| He looked up at Mrs. Barton.
Why, certainly, I'll go right out
with YOU he said, every instinct Of
helpfulness In him rising and going out
toward the cry for help.
| Just then Carver came walking by.
Kirk had the letter he was going to
| post in his hand.
Say, Carver, will you mail this let
| ter for me as you go by the Office ?'
Malcolm asked, and Carver eagerly
| took the letter, more than willing to do
Mr.. Kirk favor.
| Malcolm ct once got up into the wag-
on with Mrs. Barton, and they drove