Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1903-04-03

the DINER gay remarked l0al
| thought you and I would better be
| married. Your treatment OF the sub
ject was frivolous" [reprovingly).
.'and wish you to give it your most
careful consideration. 1t is a very
serious matter"
sAnd never word of Lowell" muir
! INJURED Miss Serena. UNDER her breath.
/ She gazed composedly out of the
| window.
| Perhaps" she said, ''we do not
look at this matter in the same
light" Then suddenly: 'fWhy. the
| chickens are in the garden; I must
go and drive them oufi" and further
| discussion was ended for that day.
/ Mr.. Torrance again sought the
/ privacy of his study in perturbed
state of mind. BE had no intention
of changing his purpose, he would
marry her. But it was evident she
needed rebuke, her duty should ba
made plain. he would compel her to
yield at once, and cease this exasPer-
ating delay.
| He forthwith prepared an elabor-
ate. argument for her instruction.
Indeed, it was a sermon, nothing
more OF less, with the different heads
1
curing nearly an hour to deliver, and
Miss Serena sat quietly and heard it
all with placid countenance-
It was her duty to marry him as
soon as possible, firstly, because mar
rage was a beneficent institution,
| conducting to the welfare of both
man and woman. Had not God said
it was not good for man to be alone?
Each needed the other.
Secondly, marriage was an old in
stitution, as old as life: and whatever
had been must be. It was law
Gods law.
aCertainly!" said Miss Serena, soto
I>voce.
Thirdly, woman was the weaker
vessel, she was unfit to guide her own
affairs-and required a husband for
protection and support.
Fourthly, the minister of the
Gospel needed wife to assist him
in his church work and care for his
church as we'll as to himself to coin
eide with his wishes.
Lastly, it was the intention of the
Creator that men and women should
marry. No one should resist the Di-
vine purpose. it was sacrilege.
There was a silence as he ceased
speaking. Miss serena's lips were So
Der, but her eyes smiled.
"I don't believes" she said, "that j
am particularly interested in the in
tentions of the Almighty.
Mr.. Torrance picked up his hat
quickly, in sudden anger. He would
saw no more. This woman was wholly
L H. 10 n
signed for her. He would find nobler
one, who would appreciate the great
opportunity.
eve will consider the subject end
ed" he said, sternly, and departed.
Miss Serena sat for long time med
itating.
THAT old idea is working hard" she
said, thoughtfully. ''What if, after all,
it shouldn't have rest? Isl endowed
with enough of the germ of truth to
keep it alive, underneath all the en-
cumbrances of age?" and for the first
time she looked anxious.
During the next few weeks the rector
allowed himself no time for reflection
on the one painful subject. He wrote
two sermons in a week instead of one,
he made innumerable calls, he went to
the city, attended conventions and
rested not.
But the pace was too rapid. He was
compelled to slow up and think Slow
ly he came to the astonishing conclu
| sion that no other woman would do
When he reviewed in his mind the other
marriageab women in the parish and
among his acquaintance he turned
from the mere thought of them, sicl
1 L.
wanted her!
What was the reason he could Meth
er eat nor sleep, that time hung on his
hands. that life was robbed of all in
terest and why did the future stretch
out before him a ,dreary waste OF
years? This mysterious drawing, thi:
| strange longing to go to Miss Serena
once more and implore her to take pity
{ on him and relieve his misery-was il
not decreed?
Gradually it dawned on him that thi.
, was love. He loved this woman, with
: her sweet, strong face. her gentle bu
, firm ways, her strength of mind ant
j | intelligent will. Slowly another ole
, | idea came to abide with him and revea
2 to his mind the power Of love, greater
than force. His old WORKOUT favoritt
t idea was sent on long-needed yaca
: ton.
= One day he met Miss Serena just out
| side her garden gate The cricket.
: were chirping in the grass, the soft
Y ness of the summer night was over all
: Good evening"" she said, pleasantly
F.: He ignored her salutation.
: do you realize" he asked, brokenly
o .that YOU are the unconscious ca use OF
y the ruin of my happiness?. That life