The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-13

rare purpose and power IN the emergency
that he now faced. He would not expect
what was perhaps not yet In her power
90 give. She was moved deeply. When she
spoke again, Stuart had at first CLEAN
of hope
IT believe you see the cause OF human
fly as see Il. Mr. Duncan. j have be-
iieved IL since that night in the hall when
you told me the story OF your conversion.
IT was so like my own experience that
was startled by IL. / went home from a
gay party n few years ago. was awaken
ed by a voice. ! saw and heard the d.
vine messenger. went out from my faith
er's house the next day an outcast from
kin and friends, and have never regret
ted IT, But the gulf between you and me
Is a deep one even with this common eX-
perience. II i were TO become your wife
--Rhena spoke the word with difficulty
at would be at the expense of the life or
service ! have chosen. II would be-
She broke OF as II afraid 10 trust her
voice. Stuart would not even then take
advantage OF her emotion 20 look at her.
His gaze was still down the valley.
rs our Christian faith nothing as
common basis for q common work to-
gether? Can we not do more thus than 10
go our own way alone?" he asked, and
his heart was hungry for the love Of her,
and still he would not take what she did
not yet have 10 give.
Rhena answered quietly: II cannot. IL
Is not for me to thank you for the great
est honor a good man can give woman
j am unworthy OF II.
mo, mol" Stuart cried at last turning
20 her. II love you. Let me say IL even IL
IL may be for the last time" And then
he did what he had not thought OF doing
when he began. But he faced the possi-
bility OF an answering love In this woman
and he longed 'or her too much 10 leave
the matter without fully showing her his
heart.
He took Rhena's glove from his pocket.
the glove he had picked UP on the trail
that night. "see!.. he CT ed. as he showed
IL 10 her. 'I passed along this path one
night. and n was a night OF great beauty
TO me- found you lying over there close
by the mouth OF that pit. / caught you
up and carried you down 10 safety. And
for a little while you were mine An my
hearts thought and you could not say
me nay" His voice broke In a Sob A
man can sob oplyi under certain emotions.
Stuart had never felt that before.
Az for Rhena she caught her breath
and then stood pale and still. They told
me DR.. Saxon brought me in. Why did
they not tell me the truth? Why did he
not tell me? owe you my life.
= II was both question and state
ment Stuart would not even now anti
cipate the love that might yet be his. He
stood there facing her. silent after that
one outburst. At last he said gently. Il
would like 10 keep the glove; may II
She did not answer him. He put the
glove back in his pocket. She was very,
very pale.
He said one more word. You believe
love your
'sYes; / believe e." she answered in
very low voice.
II shan always love you" he said. He
took of his hat. The cot was one OF rev.
erence Some time when ] have won
your love, as / know / have not yet, 1
shall speak again." he added slowly. And
then he turned and went back over the
trail, nkver once looking behind. IL he
had
When he disappeared behind a clump OF
FRS Rhena knelt down by the old stump
and laid her head upon II, and her pray
er was very much like the prayer OF that
night when Louise had called upon her.
After Awhile she rose and went down the
trail But she was not the same woman.
Her xeart was shaken for the first time
In her life by the love OF great and good
man. Ah, II Is possible ~ he had said TO
her ,'Rhena" she might have said,
STUART" and given him all. II was dan
gerous for her TO think OF him She felt
as never before And then the glove. the
trembled There were times In her feeling
when II Stuart had come back che would
have said to him: II love you. Let us go
on our way through life togetherI" And
she went on into the next cottage. LOOK
IN her eyes that was new TO them and
an emotion I'm her heart that she could
not suppress.
As for stuart, he went down into
Champion with a feeling that was not
that OF defeat or discouragement 1t
had been a crisis with him. He had at
last spoken He had nothing to regret
In all he had said. And In spite of the
fact that his answer had been no some
thing told him IL was not final. He was
the last man I'm the world 20 try to argue
The woman he loved into loving him He
was not and could not be pleading suitor
for the heart OF this voman, OF all per.
sona in the world. He said 10 himself
the time would come although he did not
attempt TO picture when or how. when
abe would be his as he wanted her to be.
what that great thought burning In him
he entered upon one OF the busiest and
most significant weeks OF his life.
In the first place. when Sunday came
ne ioined the church. He had already
two weeks before gone into the prepara-
tory meeting with Andrew an dthjere re.
cited his experience. IL seemed the most
necessary act in tho world that he should
Identity himself openly and boldly with
other CnrHtltib III THO VI SathNsttVh NAtNh
Christ loved There was not a moments
Hesitation 10 Stiiarts mind about the duty
and privilege OF church membership. That
was a notable day IN his life when Andrew
asked him 20 rise ana give assent to the
church covenant
The news that Stuart Duncan was go
sne 10 Join the church was interesting
enough TO call out a large part or the
population OF Champion. Andrew had
newer seen such a congregation. 81.
Johns was crowded. very largely with the
miners and their families. Stuart was the
only person received At this communion.
when he rose az Andrews invitation. his
face was calm and even beautiful IL was
a splsndid sight 90 see theee two men fac
Ing each other at the communion service.
when Stuart kneeied 10 receive the bap-
tlsm. Andrews voice trcmbisd Tor sec
.rt nv brother. disciple OF Jesus" and
mauy an eye On the audience. motstened.
when the bread was passed, Stuart re-
oesved ~ from one OF the miners who had
worked In Champion MINIS ever since
stuart was boy. He was deacon IN