The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1903-03-27
The Rector's
Enlightenment
BY N PERRY GAY.

Dew. MR.. TORRANCE, rector OF
IN Hopeworth church, had a choice
collection of ideas. None of them orig.
mated with him, for ideas were born
with the world and are simply passed
on from age to age, sometimes lost to
view for a millennium or two, and
then brought to light by some vain soul
who imagines he has begotten a new
thought, a fresh dream.
But the rector had one idea which
the sons of men have never lost sight
of, it has never had a rest, and it is
very old because it has had no oppor-
tunity to renew its youth. The rector
valued it the more highly because of
its apparent age, for he believed he
saw therein the approval of the cen
turtles. Old! Why it was old when his
great-grandfather was a b%ald-headed
infant-it was old when the world was
young!
But the poor old idea had spent its
energy. 1t was, in its present condi-
ton decrepit, infirm, very weak on its
legs, fit only for a sa%nitarium. where
it could recuperate and reclothe itself
In the strength and garments of youth.
This, however. Rev. Mr.. Torrance would
not allow. He had no compassion for
its age-but the time came for it's deliy.
erance.
The rector had a very clear concep-
ion Of his favorite but aged idea, name
ly: The Man was the sovereign ruler
of the world and the fu1lness thereof.
building the cities, waging the wars,
governing the nations, writing the
books, conquering the beasts of the
field and making ever the wilderness TO
blossom under his hand-in a word,
Man was the embodiment Of Power:
viii Woman, albeit a somewhat nee
essary %appendage, was wjthal an in
ferior being, intended by the Creator
to submit in passive obedience to Man
and do his will.
When, therefore, the rector made up
his mind 10 offer a proposal of mar.
riage to Miss Serena, Baldwin, II of
the worthy and devoted women of his
parish, he never so much as dreamed
OF opposition or defeat. Neither did
he consider it necessary to lead up to
the point cautiously and with due mod.
GRAFTON, as many lovers do. It was in
early summer, a June haze lay in pur-
pie sheen upon the hilts, the air was
velvet perfume. He was sitting in Miss
serena's parlor, the picture of minis.
terial dignity, his hands resting on his
gold-headed cane They had been dis.
cussing the affairs of the church, when.
suddenly, imperatively. but withal be-
n~evolently. as if with pleasure at con-
ferring high honor, he said, in cul-
tured accents:
miss Serena, Think you and Iwould
better be married."
Now Miss Serena was possessed of
ideas also. Some of them were like
his n some We're not. She was a
Of great discernment-sbe.
could see things. For some time she
a known that the rector was going
TO propose to her. In fact. she had
known it before he did; and she also
knew her w mind. She knew she
loved him for his many excellent ouali-
ties, she intended to marry him. hut
she was convinced that the old worn.
out idea which he cherished so fond,v
have a good long rest.
Accordingly when the Rev. The
ophllus Torrance in such summary
terms acquainted her with his pur.
pose She o calmly, sayino.
There might be n difference of onin.
ion on that subject! Come out into
the garden, Mr.. Torrance. and sec nv
roses"
She led the way, ignoring what was
SO evidently in his mind, and talk;nn
the merits of the various kinds ~
roses, until he, in utter desperation
babe her good afternoon and went
800
He shut himself into his study =
dazed and bewildered man. The old
idea came halting forth. What! Ind
refused him? Impossible! And
she had certainly not accented
his offer. Worse yet, she had 10
1ored the expression of his wisl. 40
He would not submit to such treat
nent, It was wholly out Of Gods or.
Ter of things. It could not be-she
would not-but there the Door did
dea stopped. It could go no further.
Two orthree days after, he called
gain on Miss Serena. She knew his
rrnnd before he uttered ! word.
Lardly was he seated before he be-