The weekly examiner., 1901-07-27

directness and simplicity that seemed
 demanded by the occasion.
 q mean, dear, that I am going to
 live a new life, with Gods help. I look
 at everything differently. never used
 to think of Christ as anything more
 than a historical figure. Now he seems
 to me like personal friend. More than
 that, he seems to be my own personal
 Saviour. I never knew before what the
 words saved and salvation meant to
 me. Now they are real. They apply to
 my own condition. I seem to look at all
 the events of life, my own and others,
 in the light of eternity. It is difficult
 for me to make all this clear to you,
 Louise. Would you understand it any
 better if should use the old word con- version and say I had an experience this morning that has converted me to a Christian life?''
 ''No; don't know that would" Lou ise replied coldly. She had gone over to the piano and sat down on the stool facing Stuart, but not looking into his face.
 Cant you understand me, Louisey' cried Stuart. His disappointment was very great, although he had been pre- pared for something of this kind before he spoke.
 ''No. I don't understand, Stuart. It is very strange. You seem to think you haven't been Christian all this time. You speak as if I wasn't one"
 "Are you, Louise?" asked Stuart gen. try. But the question provoked her as Jn xviCI c+r ly afterward that he had not put it. It seemed as if he was judging her from his own Christian experience, not yet day old.
 ''Yes, am! What am I? A heathenr' Louise stamped her foot, as she always did when angry. Stuart saw that her thought of the word was not his He remained silent, and Louise turned about on the piano stool and struck a few chords fitfully. Then she wheeled back and said bluntly: What are you going to do? Join the Salvation Ar my?''
 Stuart shrunk back as if from a blow. It was all so contrary to his experience that he was entirely unable to shape his speech as usual. He was silent un- til Louise repeated her question.
 shall join the St. Johns church. And l may join the army too.. un- derstand people can do that without belonging to the ranks in one way.'
 Louise rose to her feet with look of scorn that Stuart could not endure. Well, father ought to be here to see all this! He would want to know if this is Stuart Duncan, his son."
 Tt is true he would not see the old Stuart Duncan" replied Stuart, with a noble dignity that even Louise could not help noticing, 'but he would find a better one, hope. Louise, dear, wish you could understand just what I've felt. 1t is impossible for me to look on very many things as I did once. want to say this to you now, so that you will not be surprised at certain events which may take place in the future"
 .'To what do you refer? To your joining the army? I suppose the lead ar is an attraction just now. I hear Miss Dwight has been sent up to take ,harge."
 It was as cruel and harmful a fling IS Louise could be guilty of But she l was stung into bitterness by many l events of the past few days, and her ! selfish, narrow nature had more than | once delighted to make Stuart suffer.
 Stuart was pale to his lips. His | Christian experience, his conversion" IS he could call it, was not more sa- ,red to his thoughts than the memory | If the army leader and the thought of | Ter sacrifice and surrender of all that | most young women count dear.
 "Louise!'' he cried, and if he had not | ,een in the grasp of a better strength lere he would have been swept into f Louise, you do not know what you wound. You must not harm my con- eption of Christ or cast any dishonor n his work in my forgiven soul. You ave no right"
 He spoke on sternly and yet with so much evident right defense of his in- Ter motives that Louise was frighten- d. She might perhaps have asked 'tuart's pardon, but he, fearing to rolong the conversation, went out of he room and in to see Eric. Louise, fter standing idly by the piano a few minutes, at last went up stairs to her VII room.
 Stuart sat down by Eric and asked he nurse to leave them alone a little vhile. He was suffering from his in- erview with Louise, but he wanted to ell Eric his experience.AI It seemed to i'm necessary before he Sant on with is life another day.
 In few sentences he told Eric his xperience of the morning. Eric lis ened in wonder. He was very weak. [e grasped Stuart's hand and pressed
 feebly when he paused in his narra- ve. tI never had any such leading as IT men call it. joined the army be- ,nnco l,oliox-od rxrns tho onlu kind |