Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1903-06-12
CHAPTER XVIII.

On the following Christmas morning
Mrs. Clendenon, Mrs. Winans and Lulu,
together with the returned captain, all
attended divine service. Grace had for
years been a member of the Episcopal
Church, and, as the world goes, a dutiful
member But religion had been to her
mind too much in the abstract, too much
a thing above and beyond her to be taken
into her daily life in the part Of a com
forter and sustainer. She had gone to
the world for consolation in the hour of
her trial. 1t had failed her. To-day as
the glorious old 'Te Deum" rose and
scared grandly through the arches of the
temple of worship, filling her soul with
sublime pathos, she began to see how
He, who had dimly held to her the place
of Saviour in the world beyond. Is an
ever present Comforter and sustainer in
the fateful Gethsemane of this proba-
tionary earth.
Captain Clendenon, as he sat by her
side and heard the low, musical voice as
it uttered the prayerful responses to the
Ltany, thought her but little lower than
the angels She in her deep and newly
reused humility felt herself scarcely wor-
thy to take the name of a long misun-
derstood Savior on her lips. Few of the
congregation who commented, on dispers-
ing, relative to the pearlfair beauty and
elegant apparel of the Senator's desert
ed wife, fathomed the feelings that throb-
bed unanimously beneath that pale, calm
bearing as they left the sacred edifice.
Lulu" she said later, as up in the
young lady's dressing room they had laid
aside their warm wrappings and furs,
II want to help you, if you will let me
let me go with you on your errands of
charity. l belong to the world no longer.
Show me how to fill up the measure Of
my days with prayerful work for the
Master"
One pearIy drop from Lulu's eyes fell
down on the golden head that had pillow
ed itself on her breast.
"God, thank Thee" she murmured,
chat there is JOY in heaven to-day over
the lamb that has come into the fold"
She whispered it to Brother Willie
that day at a far corner of the parlor
when they happened to be alone for
moment together. He glanced across at
the slender, stately figure standing at the
window between the falling lace curtains,
looking wistfully out.
1T is natural" he said. "a nature so
pure, so strong, so devotional as hers
must needs have more than the world
can give to satisfy it's immortal crav
ings. Poor girl! she is passing through
the fire of affection. Let us thank God
that she is coming out pure gold"
After awhile, when Lulu had slipped
from the room, leaving them alone to-
gcther, he crossed over to her side and
began telling her of his experiences and
adventures abroad. She listened, pleas
ed and interested. soothed by his kind,
almost brotherly tone.
"You do not ask me after Winans,'
said he, playfully, at last "You did not
know that through his reckless bravery,
his gentleness and humanity to his men,
he has risen to the rank of general in the
army of France?' A soldierly flash in
the clear gray eyes.
YES" she answered in a low voice;
Il have seen it in the newspapers"
'You have? Then you have seen also
that he"
He paused, looking down at her quiet
face in some perplexity and doubt
THAT he-what?' she asked, looking
up at him, and growing slightly pale.
81 do not know how to tell you, if you
do not know" his eyes, full of grave
compassion, fixed on hers.
One of her small hands CROPPED blind
ly out, and chung firmly to his arm.
Captain. Clendenon, l know that the
Franco Prussian war is ended. Is that
what you mean? Is he-my husband
is he coming home-to America? Tell
me-" she said, desperately, ''if he is not
coming home what is it? l am Drawer
than you think. | can bear great deal.
Is he's he-deadT'
CTo he continued.l