The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1901-08-17

you suueIeu, anu, OF course, You had
violated some natural law. 1t was
your own fault. And so this suf-
fering which is now come upon me
is the result Of a violation of one of
Gods laws"
"Ah," cried Zenobie eagerly, "but
you are the one who suffers while
another violates the law. In my
case | did both and do not com
plain"
"But listen," pursued Rosalind,
with a frightening countenance, for
the true idea had come to her mind.
1T would not be just for a person
TO enjoy all the good Of law and
leave others to suffer all the evil.
God has established in us a social
nature, and through that part of
our nature come the sweetest of our
earthly enjoyments. Such a law
the lawof sociality-must be uniyer-
sal, and if men break that law they
must suffer, and the only just way
in which God could shield me from
suffering would be 10 release me
from the effects Of the law. Then |
should be poor, lonesome outcast,
forced TO live all my days alone like
a barren rock upon the top Of some
bleak mountain But / would rath-
Ell live among people and enjoy the
companionship of my fellows. ]
have freely accepted the boon, and
now, when its evils come, must
suffer. Had Gods intent been fol-
lowed out there would have been no
suffering. 1t is not his fault that
the duke sins. Do you understand
me?"
81 don't know" murmured the
young girl obviously.
"But, see" resumed Rosalind.
"You choose to exercise your social
nature, and of your own accord you
mingle among your fellows. Do
you not see that thus you are enjoy
ing one of Gods richest blessings
the blessing of sociality, friendship
and love?"
eyes, see.
"Well, so far God is good in hav-
ing given YOU that power for such
enjoyment 7"
eyes, ] see"
"Well, now, under that law, when
my father and mother died / found
friend in the duke and here have
found a home. But circumstances
have changed. The duke has be-
come wicked in thought-he wants
more money-and he viii prostitute
a power which in obeyance of Gods
law would be good to my ruin.
Now, God cannot save me without
rending TO pieces one Of his most
powerful laws and one which is
meant for a universal good The
moment he does that he destroys
that principle Of human dependence
whence flow those most holy virtues
of love, friendship and charity. He
must act by universal laws and not
by partial rules and individual ex-
ceptions. So as long as | can enjoy
the blessings of social life ! must be
subject to the evils of treachery and
social wickedness. Do you not un-
derstand now 2"
81 see, ! see,' the girl murmured
thoughtfully.
"Aye, Zenobie," the mistress add
ed, while a holy light shone upon
her countcnance, "God has made us
subject to ills here. But look be-
yond the grave, and how bright il is
with hope have a father and a
mother there. Oh, in all my misery,
even in the worst state TO which the
bad duke can reduce me, | would not
change places with him. You seem
ed to intimate that God would see
me suffer and yet let the duke tri-
umph. Triumph? Oh, Zenobie, for
what would YOU have that mans
heart in your bosom and his soul in
your keeping? ?"
81 would rather die" the girl
cried, while a cold shudder ran
through her frame.
"Then, you see, he does not go
clear. Oh, how blind and simple
are those who imagine there can be
pleasure in sinp
This opened new theme to zeno-
bie's mind, and she pondered upon
it long while. But by and by she
came back to the theme from
whence they had started, and in pur-
suance thereof she said
'My mistress, are you sure the
duke will persist in this ?"
"Aye, Zenobie; know he will, !"
Rosalind answered, while the old
shudder came back to her frame and
the old grief to her soul.
"And have you no hope ?"
"Only one-in Ruric. He may