Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1903-04-04

the other day. / remarked that I
thought you and | would better be
married. Your treatment Of the sub
iect was frivolous (reproyingly).
and | wish YOU 10 give IL your most
careful consideration. 1t is a very
serious matter"
And never d word Of love1" muir
INJURED Miss Serena. under her breath
She gazed ~ccmposediy out Of The
window.
Perhaps" she said we do not
look at this matter IL the same
light" Then suddenly: why, the
chickens are IA the garden, ! must
go and drive Thorn QUIT and further
discussion was ended for That day,
Mr.. Torrance again sought the
privacy of his study In a p~crturbed
state Of mind He had m Intention
% changing his p.rpeSe. he would
marry her, Tut II WAS evident she
needed rellule. her duty should be
made plain. he would compel her to
yield az opee aud cease this exasper-
ating delay.
lie forthwith prepared an elabor-
ate argument for her instruction..
Indeed. II WINS q sermon, nothing
more or less. with the different heads
in due order, II WAS lengthy. res
curing nearly an hour to deliver, and
Miss serena snt quietly and heard il
all with placid c~ountenance.
II was her duty TO marry him ms
soon as possible, firstly, because mar
riage was 4 benciicent institution,
conducting "a the welfare Of both
man and Had not God said
Il was not good for mar TO he alone2
Each needed the other.
Secondly, marriage was an old IN
stitution, as old as life; and whatever
had been must be. II was law
Gods law.
Certainly said Miss Serena, sotto
voce.
Thirdly. woman was the weaker
vessel, she was unfit to guide her own
affairs-and required a husband for
protection and support.
Fonrthly. the minister Of the
Gospel needed u wife TO assist him
in his church work and care for his
household. It was her duty to the
church as wen as to himself 10 coin
eide with HIS wishes.
Lastly. It was the intention Of the
Creator that men and women should
marry. No one should resist the III
vine purpose, it was sacrilege.
There was q silence as he ceased
speaking. Miss Serena's lips were So
t.. I.,4 hnr axna eru{tnd
II don't believe she said. that
am particularly interested IN the In
tentions Of the Almighty"
Mr.. Torrance picked up his hat
quickly, IN sudden anger. He would
say no more. This woman was wholly
undeserving the high estate he had de-
signed for her. lie would find a nobler
one. who would appreciate the great
opportunity.
"Wc will consider the subject end
ed" he said, sternly, and departed.
Miss Serena sat for a long time med
itating.
"rhat old idea Is working hard" she
said, thoughifully. "What If, after all.
ii shouldn't nave q rest? Il II endowed
w~ithTenough Of the germ OF truth to
keep ii alive. underneath all the en-
cumbrances Of age?r aud 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 rmon in o 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
" he came to the astonishing conclu-
siop that no other m would do.
When he reviewed In his mind the other
manageable women In the parishand
among his acquaintances he turned
from the mere thought Of them. sick
AZ heart. He wanted them not, be
wanted herl
What was the reason he could nelth-'
or eat nor sleep. that time hung on his
hauds. that life was robbed of all i'm
tereat and why did the future stretch
out before him a dreary waste Of
years? This mysterious drawing, this
strange longing 10 go to Miss Serena
once more and implore her to take pity
on him and relieve his m~isery-was II
not decreed?
Gradually II dawned on him that this
was love. He loved this woman. with
her sweet. strong face, her gentle but
firm ways, her strength Of mind and
intelligent will. Slowly another old
idea came to abide with him and reveal
to his mind the power Of love, greater
than force. His old worn-out favorite
idea was sent on a ~long-needed vaca-
tion.
ORE day he met Miss Serena just OUT
side her garden gate. The crickets
,.ara ohirpinr IN the grass. the soft