Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1903-04-30

Miss Serena sat quietly and heard !
all with placid countenance.
It was her duty to marry him a
soon as possible, firstly, because mar
riage was a benefcent institution
conducting to the welfare of bot
man ard woman. Had not God salt
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 whateve
had been must be. 1t was law
Gods law.
Certainly" said Miss Serena, soft
voce.
Thirdly. woman. was the weake
vessel, she was unfit to guide her owl
affairs-and required a husband TO
protection and support
Fourthly, the minister Of tn
Gospel needed a wife to assist hin
in his church work and care for III
household. It was her duty to tn
church as well as to himself to coin
eide with his wishes.
Lastly, it was the intention OF tn
Creator that meTxand women Shout,
marry. No one should resist the d.
vine purpose, it was sacrilege.
There was a silence as he ceased
speaking. Miss Serena's lips were so
Der. but her eyes smiled.
81 don't believe" she said. that
am particularly interested in the in
tentions of the Almighty"
Mr.. Torrance picked up his ha
quickly. in sudden anger. He would
say no more This woman was who'd!
undeserving the high estate he had de
signed for her. He would find noblel
one. who would appreciate the grea
opportunity.
owe will consider the subject end
ed" he said. sternly, and departed.
Miss Serena sat for a long time med
itating.
chat old idea is working hard" sh'
said. thouehtfully. "What il, after all
it shouldn't have Il rest? lSit endowed
with enough of the germ Of truth e
keep il alive. underneath all the en-
cumbrances Of aQe?" and for the frs
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 week instead Of one
he made innumerable calls, he went tC
the city, attended conventions anC
rested not.
But the pace Was too rapid. He wai
compelled to slow UP and think. Slow
" he came to the astonishing conclu
sion that no other woman would do
When he reviewed in his mind the Other
marriageable women in the parish anc
among his acquSiBtances he turned
from the mere thought of them. sic}
at heart. He wanted them not, b,
wanted her!
What was the reason he could Meth
er cat nor sleep. that time hurgon hi.
hands. that life was robbed Of al in
tercst and why did the future stretcl
ont before him a dreary waste o
wears? This mysterious drawing, this
strange longing TO go to Miss Serena
once more and implore her to take pity
on him and relieve his misery-was i
not decrccd?
Gradually it dawned on him that thi'
WAS love. He loved this woman. Will
her sweet, strong face. her gentle bu
firm ways. her strength Of mind ant
intelligent will Slowly another ole
idea came to abide with him and revea
TO his mind the power Of love, create
than force. His old WORKOUT favorit'
idea was sent on a long-needed vaca
ton.
One day he met Miss Serena Just out
side her garden gate. The cricketi
were chirping in the grass, the soft
ness of the summer night was over all
Good evening" she said, pleasantly
He ignored her salutation.
DO YOU realize" he asked, brokenly
"that you are the unconscious cause Of
the ruin of my happiness? That life
is henceforth one unceasing pain
Why, even the consultations of the Cos
pei avail ms nothing! l love you
Serena!"
She looked up quickly at his face
white and drawn, in the gathering
shadows of the night.
"TheOphilus," she asked, with twin
kle of the eye, "did I ever say
wouldn't marry you"
He started. Astonishment and slow
ly-awakening hope were in his face.
"Do you-do you intend to say" he
began.
"Yes!" she replied, smiling. 81 in,
tend to say Come, dear, let's go in out
of the damp."-Springfeld (Mass.) Re
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