Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-03-21
The. RectOr'S Enlightenment
By FANNY PERRY GAY.

- Ev. MIR. TORRANCE, rector of Hopeworth church, had choice collection of ideas. 7 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 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 1t 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 turies. Oldi Why 1t was old when his great-gTandfathe was bald-headed infant-it was old when the world was young!
 But the poor old idea had spent it's energy. It was, in its present condi- tion decrepit, infr1n, very weak on Its legs, fit only for ganitarium, where 1t could recuperate and reclothe itself J This, however, Rev. MT. Torrance would not allow. He had no compassion for Its age--but the time came for its deliv- erance.
 The rector had very clear concep- tion of his favorite but aged idea, name ly: The Man was the sovereign ruler of the world and the fullness thereof, building the cities, waging the wars, governing the nations, writing the books, conquering the beasts of the field and making even the wilderness to blossom under his hand--in word, Man was the embodiment of Power; while Woman, albeit a somewhat nec- essary appendage, was withal an i'm 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 to offer proposal of mar xiage to Miss Serena Baldwin, one 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 eration, as many lovers do. It was in early summer, q June haze lay in pur- pie sheen upon the hills, 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 witha1 be- nevolently, as if with pleasure at con- ferring high honor, he said, in cul- kured accents:
 Miss Serena, think you and would better be married.'
 Now Miss Serena was possessed of ideas also. Some of them were like his and some were not. She was a woman of great discernment-she could see things. For some time she had known that the rector was going to propose to her. Tn fact, she had known 1t before he did; and she also knew her own mind. She knew she loved him for his many excellent quail ties, she intended to marry him, but she was convinced that the old worn out idea which he cherished so fondly should have good long rest.
 Accordingly when the Rev. The ophilus Torrance in such summary terms acquainted her with his pur- pose she arose calmly, saying: AThere might be difference of opin- ion on that subjecti Come out into the garden, Mir. Torrance, and see my roses"
 She led the way, ignoring what was so evidently in his mind, and talking on the merits of the various kinds of roses, until he, in utter desperation, home.
 He shut himself into his study, a &azed and bewildered man. The old idea came halting forth Whatl had she refused him? Impossible! And yet, she had certainly not accepted his offer. Worse yet, she had ig- nored the expression of his wishes. He would not submit to such treat ment, it was wholly out of Gods or der of things. It could not be-she would not-but there the poor old idea stopped. It could go no further.
 Two or three days after, he called again on Miss Serena. She knew his errand before he uttered Q word. Hardly was he seated before he be- gan:
 Miss Serena" he said slowly and fnnressive1v. "I think you failed to grasp the importance of ny words the other day. remarked that I thought you and would better be married. Your treatment of the sub- jeet was frivolous" (reprovingly), land wish you to give 1t your most careful consideration. It Is very serious matter"
 "And never a word of love!" mur- mured Miss Serena, under her breath. She gazed composedly out of the window.
 rPerhaps. 1. ahe said. Eve de moi