Waterbury Democrat., 1901-02-22

Louise turned about on the piano stool
 dE0 struck q fclC chords.
 better if should use the old word scon- version and say I had an experience this morning that has converted me to Christian life:"
 'No; don't know that would," Lou lse replied coldly. She had gone over 1 10 the piano and sat down on the stool 1 facing Stuart, but not looking into his 1 face.
 Can't you understand me. Louise?' cried>Stuart. His disappointment was very great, although he had been pre- pared for something of this kind before he spoke.
 "No. don't understand, Stuart. It is very strange. You seem to think you haven't been a Christian all this time. You speak as if I wasn't one' Are you, Louise?' asked Stuart gen tly. But the question provoked her as he had not foreseen. He wished strong ly afterward that he had not put it. It seemed as if he was judging her from his own Christian experience, not yet a day old
 Yes, I am! What am I? A heathen ?" 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 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 blow. It was all so contrary to his experience that he was entirely unable to shape Els speech as usual. He was silent un- til Louise repeated her question.
 Il shall join the St. Johns church. And l may join the army too. I un- derstand people can do that without belonging to the ranks in one way"
 Louise rose to her feet with a 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 noble dignity that even Louise could not help noticing, but he would find a better one, l hope. Louise, dear, wish you could understand just what I've felt. It is impossible for me to look on very many things as I did once I 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 CT is an attraction just now. I hear Miss Dwight has been sent up to take charge.''
 It was as cruel and harmful a fling as Louise could be guilty of But she was stung into bitterness by many 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" as he could call it, was not more sa- cred to his thoughts than the memory of the army leader and the thought of her sacrifice and surrender of all that most young women count dear.
 "Louise.' he cried, and if he had not been in the grasp of better strength here he would have been swept into one of his old time bursts of passion. Louise, you do not know what you wound. You must not harm my con
 
 on his work in my forgiven soul. You have no right" a. He spoke on sternly and yet with so much evident right defense of his in- ner motives that Louise was Tighten ed. She might perhaps have asked Stuart,s pardon, but he, fearing to prolong the conversation, went out of the room and in to see Erie. Louise, after standing idly by the piano few minutes, at last went up stairs to her own room. Stuart sat down by Eric and asked the nurse to leave them alone little while. He was suffering from his in- tervfew with Louise. but he wanted to | tell Eric his experiepce. It seemed to him necessary before he went on with 1 his life another day.
 In . few tentences he told Eric Ais ] expssfenee s0f IT. oentn1. Tie liS] sxstj xssl,,