Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1901-01-18

complish among the poor of his own
parish neighborhood and sighed.
at does, it does" he returned, seri-
ously.
This was the opening wedge. From
love in the abstract to the question of
love of more ordinary and personal
aspect was but little step. ut never
is) A day later they were telling each
other why love was not for them. Two
days later each knew that the other had
decided never to marry. Three days
later the Accomplished Traveller, over
hearing a fragment OF their conversa-
ton, smiled sympathetically as. she
promenaded on.
do you know" the young clergyman
was saying, that, while celibacy has
always seentd almost necessary for
the priesthood to me Qt had seemed alb
solutely necessary until few days be-
fore), fail to see how an unmarried,
and, perhaps, lonely, existence will
cause you to paint better pictures"
Why" and the girls tone was earn
est as it was astonished. II don't see
how you can think otherwise. Art de-
mands all the best of one, and no Sec
ond-rate or secondhand devotion, If one
is really to serve and minister to the
beautiful. But it has always seemed to
me-" she added, meditatively, that an
unmarried minister has lost a fine
chance, at least, Of getting close to the
| lna &c, 30 I xxrnn 6nr. hi inl1
of us is right-or neither, or both?"
Then came the big storm, and after
that all things looked different Mira
BILE was anything but coward, but she
couldn't help feeling a little nervous
as the great ship trembled and stag
gered and rolled under the force Of the
tremendous waves. The young minis
ter, whose faith was of the real and
assertive kind, soothed and reassured
her as she sat, trembling but silent, In
the music room looking out at the angry
waters. The girl was duly comforted
and strengthened, and the pleasant
feeling of half dependence and intima-
cy, both of his thoughtful kindness,
lasted even after the sun had decided
to shine again. And the young minis
ter had also learned something while
the storm was raging. 1t was with a
really meek and humble heart that he
assisted her to the upper deck, just as
soon as this was possible, and stood
by her side as she took mental notes of
the waves and their form and color.
| 10 tlxy hn ho Il
learned her name some days before-"I
have confession to make to you.
have found out-the Lord has taught
me-that my views upon the question
of celibacy have been mistaken. now
agree with you that a clergyman is bet
ter with wife, and hope-I hardly
dare hope, but still long to-that you
will be my wife, some day, by and by"
They were quite alone on the rocking
deck. The weather was still too rough
for others less interested in art-and
one of its exponents-to venture ont.
The girl, meditatlng, found that she,
too, had changed her opinions in regard
to several matters.
"If l tell you," she said at last, as
bravely, as shyly, that | no longer be-
lieve that love and marriage lessen
ones chances of becoming a great art
list, you must not fancy that 1t Is be-
cause am ready to say yes to the ques-
ton you may want to ask me, possibly,
some time. But it has seemed to me.
lately"
Dear one, let me ask that question
now," the man at her side broke in, i'm
pulsively. "Will you, dear child and
sweetheart, promise to become my
wifeT
Again the girl was silent, thinking
thinking. She no longer believed, as
she had said, that an unmarried exist
ence was necessary for the highest art
but stlll-she thought Of the picture she
was longing to paint, the wondrous
thing Of graces, nymphs, perhaps, even
} bacchanals-and wondered how II
would do for a minister's wife to paint
and exhibit this thing And yet-witf
love in the balance
She turned to him, smiling.
~ will not promise now," she said
quietly; ut is far too early and We
: know far too little Of each other FOL
me to make any such promise, for one
thing, and. besides, have a picture
must paint first. 1t will take me unit
well on into next summer (All this
happened last autumn) And you mus
not write to me, nor ask me to write {,
J you, until the end OF June anyway
Then, II you want to risk the trip OF
such slight encouragement, you may