Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-12

them was genuine and not simply pro-
| fessional. Then, too, from preacher
they had expected chiefly pity, warn
| by giving them respect admiration and
omen hearted affection 1t was months
before they could get over their sus-
picion that h. was hurnbuggiHg them.
When once they did they gave him
back without knowing it all the trust
He had made this world new to some
| of them, and to all had given glimpses
of the next. 1t was no wonder that
| they stood in dumb groups about the
house where the man who had done
all this for them and had been all this
| to them lay dead.
There was no demonstration of grief.
The Duke was in command, and his
quiet, firm voice. giving directions,
helped all to self control The women
who We're gathered in the middle room
were weeping quietly. Bill! was no.
where to be seen. but near the inner
door sat Gwen in her chair, with Lady
OtSltlC llCl lCitiiis- IN btiN'
Her face. worn with long suffering,
was pale, but serene as the morning
sky, and with not trace of tears. AS
my eye caught hers she beckoned me
to her.
where's Bill?' she said. Bring him
In"
| | found him at the back of the house.
aren't you coming in, Bill?' / said.
"No; guess there's plenty without
! me-" he said in his slow way.
You'd better come in; the service Is
going to begin" l urged.
Don't seem as if cared for to hear
anythin' much l amt much used to
preachin', anyway said Bill. with
careful Indifference, but lie added to
himself. except his, of course
"Come in. Bill" l urged. ut will
look queer, you know" but Bill re-
piled:
II guess I'll not bother" adding after
pause, "Yon see, there's them WIN
min turnin' on the water works. and
like as not they'd swamp me sure"
That's So" said Hi, who was stand
ing near, in silent sympathy with his
friends grief.
l reported to Gwen, who answered
in her old imperious way, Tell him ]
want him." l took Bill the message.
"Why didn't you say SO before?' he
said. and, starting up. he passed into
the house and took up his position be-
hind Ovens chair Opposite, and lean
ing against the door, stood the Duke.
with Il look of quiet earnestness on his
handsome face. At his side stood the
Hon. Fred Ashley aud behind him the
Old Timer, looking bewildered and
woe stricken. The Pilot had filed q
large place in the old mans life. The
rest of the men stood about the room
and filed the kitchen beyond, all quiet,
solemn, sad.
In Ovens room, the one farthest in,
lay the Pilot, stately and beautiful I'M
der the magic touch Of death. And az
I stood and looked down upon the
quiet face l saw why Gwen shed no
tear, but carried look Of serene tri-
umph. She had read the face Alright.
The lines of WEAKNESS that had been
growing so painfully clear the last few
months were .smoothed out, the look
Of care was gone and in place of wea-
riness and care was the proud smile of
victory and peace. He had met his
foe and was surprised to find his terror
gone.
The service was beautiful In its sim
plicity. The minister, the Pilots chief,
had come out from town to take
charge. He was rather little man,
but sturdy and we'll set. His face was
burned and scared with the suns and
frosts he had braved for years. Still
in the prime Of his manhood, his hair
and beard were grizzled and his face
deep lined, for the tolls and cares OF q
pioneer missionary's life are neither
few nor light. But out Of his kindly
blue eye looked the heart Of hero,
and as he spoke to us we felt the
prophets touch and caught CLEAN Of
the prophets fire.
II have fought the fight" he read.
The ring in his voice lifted up all our
heads, and as he pictured to US the life
Of that battered hero who had written
these words l saw Bills eyes begin to
CLEAN and his lank figure straighten
out its lazy angles. Then he turned the
leaves quickly and read again: LET not
your heart be troubled. In my
Fathers house are many mansions"
His voice took lower. sweeter tone;
he looked over our heads, and for few
moments spoke Of the eternal hope.
Then he came back to US and, looking
round into the faces turned SO eagerly
to him. talked to us of the Pilot-how
at first he had sent him to us with fear
and trembling-he was SO young-but
how he had come to trust in him and to
rejoice in his work and to hope much
from his life. Now it was ali over; but
he felt sure his young friend had not
given his life in vain. He paused as
he looked from one to the other till his
eyes rested on Ovens face. was
startled, as believe he was, too, at the
smile that parted her lips, so evidently
saying, Eyes, but how much better l
know than YOU"
YES" he went on. after pause, an
swering her smile, you all know better
than l that his work among you will
not pass away with mis- removal, but
endure while you i've" and the smile
on Ovens face grew brighter. "And