Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-04-02
BY
JOHN ].
a'BECKET.

| me tDat you Will give @moutu 5
| thought to this. whatever 1t may be,
and that you will write to me then and
tell me your decision. That Is not too
much to ask. Will your"
Eyes; will do that" she replied aft
er q moments hesitation. "Goodby."
He drew her toward him, and, though
at first she hung back, at last she suf'
fered herself to be taken into his arms
and with an almost sacramental grace
received the kiss of his lips.
Then. breaking away, without anoth.
er look or word she hurried over the
mountain side toward the little VII
lage. With his hands behind his back,
his face showing strong rebellion
against so hard fate, the stalwart
fellow remained motionless, watching
her retreating figure.
Two months before this scene lvor
Wareham had brought to the little
Welsh village the remains Of young
fellow with whom he had gone through
campaign In the Sudan. At Rhys'
funeral the clear, thrilling voice OF
Olwen had stirred his heart by its
searching sweetness. He had come to
know the young girl and had found
in her soul the same clear, sweet, SYM
pathetic quality which bad moved him
In her voice.
She was the only child Of Gwylm
Gwent Her mother had been sleep.
ing In the little graveyard for year,
and Olwen had been the one prop OF
her father in his bereavement lvor
Wareham had fingered, had come to
know the girl well and had loved her.
Only yesterday he had told her this
and she had confessed her own love for
him. Today she had told him they
must part and refused to tell him why.
Small wonder that he was vexed and
incapable of accepting the situation.
He felt that If he complied with her
wish and departed when left alone to
think upon it she must relent and
send him a favorable message before
the month was ended.
Olwen made her way mournfully
back to a small cottage that stood
somewhat apart from the village On
slightly higher ground. A rugged man
Of 60. with a short. grizzled beard. was
sitting in a chair, his dim blue eyes
seeming to view something afar and
mystic. He recalled himself with a
sigh at his daughters approach. She
drew q footstool near his side and,
seating herself on 1t, took bis brown
wrinkled hand In her own, looking
tenderly into his face. The mystery
of life, with its burdens, Its joys, Its
cross purposes. filed her young soul
with a dreadful heaviness. while the
glow and solace of q religious tempera-
ment had steadfast possession OF her
father.
Father, has he gomez" she asked.
Eyes. But he has left the word OF
his priesthood with him. The light
of his message is guide to our feet.
| seem to see the glory Of the new Zion
shining across the sea and calling me-
calling me. The abiding place of the
saints, the land of promise they re.
claimed from the wilderness after
their wanderings, like the Israelites OF
old, through the desert 1t Is there,
Olwen, with It's flowing streams OF
clear water, its waving trees. Its plenti-
full fruitfulness for the saints whom
the Lord has sealed to himself. In II
| can see the great temple that Is rising
to him In its glory. 1t Is far to go. but
II Is peace and the will Of the Lord.
Olwen, we shall be happy. child. and
our lives will 60 on like full stream
of peace and gladness. You will come
to hear the word Of his messenger and
will feel as do. my child"
A slight tremor ran through the girl
She pressed the poor old hand to her
Eoft cheek. 1t was so hopeless. Still
She must make one effort, the last, for
her own life's happiness.
Father. God Is as near you here as
anywhere in the world. Why leave oul
home? Why forsake mother up there
In the graveyard and 60 to strangers
of whom we know nothing? Stay here,
father. and worship as you like. Dc
not take this dreadful journey. Dc
not take me away"
The old man shook his head gently,
and the faraway look came more deep
ly into his tired eyes. He stroked her
hair thoughtfully.
'Child. II Is the kingdom OF the
saints. the holy Salem to the elect OF
the Lord. Shall we not hear his voice
I long to breathe its hallowed air AM
to hear the people praise the Lord II
the new accents he has revealed t
them. You will be happy there. 1t
his WILL"
"When do we 60, fatherT she aske'
restrainedly.
I'VE join Deacon Smith at Liverpoo
on the 2Oth of the month. The othe
brethren who have heard his blesse'
message will be there, and we shal
travel with the new saints across Be-
and land to the modern Zlon."
Iyor Wareham was the eldest son o
Lord Alcester. With his future assuI
ed, he had made holiday Of the present
A true BritOn In his love for sport. b
had found excitement enough in lif
without recourse to any Of the les
| wholesome diversions Of many youn
men. Kindly and courteous towar
women, he had never felt what Low
could be until he met In the strong
sweet and artless truth Of Olive
Gwent the complement Of his being
All had moved as smoothly with ther
as II the hinges of life were oiled b.
fate until this sudden, most regrettabl
check.
His sister was married and lived i
Warwickshire. He decided to join he
as Offering the best distraction he coul
think of while waiting for Olwen's lei
, ter. With all her affection. 1t was tn
, prime object Of Lady Carrington's LII
, to see her brother fitly married. Sweet
" frivolous, she had a pride whic
wore the guise of family duty. Whe
she learned her brothers decision, sh
promptly invited three young girl
with their respective mammas to joi
. her house party. and It suddenly al
: sumed an Importance she had not hitf
erto attached to 1t. The three girl
, were of very different types. but eac
was perfectly eligible as the futur
} Lady Alcester. There was room fo
. choice.