Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-07-11

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turned his face away. She slowly rose
and stood looking out Of the window.
ut is that, thatr' she exclaimed pas
sfonately. pointing at the view from
the window. 1T would Kill me, all
that dreary, hideous. unattractive, hor-
rible humanity, with it's miserable, sor-
did, mean, selfish life. To dwell with
It, to neighbor it cannot-1 cannot!
It would be sin for me to pretend
that could be happy in that kind Of
a life"
"And yet" said John Gordon, look
ing at her with new look, in which
pity for her predominated more than
any feeling for himself-"and yet it is
the kind Of humanity that the Son Of
God came to save. I am sorry for you,
Luella. God help you"
She turned toward him swiftly.
Something In his tone reminded her
Of something Mrs. Penrose had said.
1T is too late. l was born as am"
Then she came nearer. DO you for
give me for bringing you this unhap-
piness? VIII you forget me?"
Il will forgive" he said simply.
''You will also forget in time" she
replied after pause. He did not an
swer and she walked slowly toward
the door. There she turned and looked
back at him. He was looking out Of
the window gravely. His face, thin
and pale, ennobled in every line by
suffering and service, seemed to her
for moment to be more than earthly
in it's beauty and power. She hesitated.
What she was renouncing began to be
dimly made real to her. And yet to
lose the things
Slowly she turned her head and
opened the door. stepped out into the
hall, shut the door and went down into
the library. With sense Of relief she
found the room empty and quietly
went out Of the archway and back to
her fathers house.
But the man that she had left had
cried her name just as she closed the
door. 1t was just one cry. Then he
struggled down upon his knees, and
for a time his soul beat about in the
dark for help, crying and sobbing in its
gone. Finally God drew near and COM
forted him. When he got up again, he
felt something like sudden illumina-
ton Of his spirit. This woman-was
she not right? How could two walk to-
gether except they were agreed? Could
love hesitate or doubt or be uncer
tain over the future and be love? Did
he care for a heart that must be driven
to his by force or lured to it by pity?
Was the hunger Of life ever satisfied
with the husks Of reality? Up from
the lowIy place Of his spirits depres-
sion he rose step by step until he rested
his affections in his growing fate that
the future would satisfy him with q
human love that knew no such thing as
doubt or fear.
During the day that followed this
growing strength that looked into the
future with confidence he had several
interviews with friends who came to
Hope House to congra tulate him on bis
recovery and talk over the work Of the
settlement
Among these callers one day was Mr..
Marsh.
Gordon be said frankly after be
had expressed his interest in the pro
posed use Of the property he had turned
over to the settlement, Il am deeply
sorry that you and Luella have decided
to go your ways apart. She needs just
your strength She is going to lead q
life Of aimless effort"
1T is best as it is, SIR" Gordon had
answered.
There is no possibility Of any recon
Citation, them
No; we have not quarreled; we have
simply understood. There can be no
other way for her or me-"
Il am sorry" Mr.. Marsh sighed.
"She needed you, and so do t.
He spoke wistfully. Gordon read in
1t whole history OF human weakness
struggling up toward light and
strength.
He put his hand into the older mans
If my friendship is Of any value to
you, Mr.. Marsh, you have It,
Marsh went away. and Gordon unused
over his future. How far would the
man use his wealth, his education. his
responsibility, to help the weak and
overcome his horror Of humanity's sin
and trouble because he learned to love
instead Of tremble?
Paul Falmouth was q welcome visit
or. He was much encouraged over the
results Of the city campaign.
Il learned my share from it." he said
after giving Gordon his experience
with the young peoples civic league in
his church. The church is not all bad.
There Is great hope In it's young life.
There Is where I am going to put my
own strength and enthusiasm. I have
stopped preaching great sermons to old
people. I have begun to teach my chill
dren. I have begun to learn that the
office Of the ministry is not to draw the
crowd, but to instruct a handful and
make disciples. Gordon, I see some
hopeful signs in the church Of the fu-
ture"