Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-03-18

answer must have been the result 01
 much thought and counsel, 1t seemed
 to me-
 If you do not speak again I shall
 know you do not love me any longer
 she had said. They were brave words l that stood for something very deep in
 the character of those people-a self
 repression that was sublime, often in
 their women. As I said them to my
 self those lonely summer days in Fara- way I saw in their sweet significance
 no hint of the bitterness they were to
 bring. But God knows I have had my share of pleasure and no more bitter
 ness than deserved.
 It was lonely summer for me. I had letters from Hope-ten of them which still keep and read, often with something of the old pleasure-girlish
 letters that told of her work and
 friends and gave me some sweet coun-
 sel and much assurance between the
 lines
 1 travelled in new roads that vacation
 time. Politics and religion as well as
 love began to interest me. Slavery
 was looming into the proportion of q
 great issue, and the stories of cruelty and outrage on the plantations of the
 south stirred my young blood and
 made it ready for the letting of bat tie ill Gods time The speeches in the senate were read aloud in our sitting room after supper the day the Tribune came. and all lent tongue to their discussion.
 Jed Feary was with us one evening, l remember, when our talk turned into long ways, the end of which I have never found to this day. Elizabeth had been reading of slave who. according to the paper, had been whipped to death.
 If God knows at such things are bein' done, why don't he stop 'em?" David asked
 "Can't'very we'll" said Jed Feary.
 Gan if he's omnipotcnt," said David.
 That's q bad word, dangerous one. said the old poet. dropping his dialect as he spoke Ut makes God re- sponsible for evil as well as good. The word carries us beyond our depth. It's too big for our boots. I'd luther think he can do what's do-able an know what's knowable. In the beginning lie gave laws to the world. an these laws are unchanseable, or they are not wise and perfect. If God were to change them he would thereby acknowledge their imperfection. By this law men and races suffer as they struggle up- ward. But if the law ~ unchangeable can it be changed for better cause even than the relief of whipped slave: In good time the law shall pun ish and relieve The groans of them that suffer shall hasten it. but there shall be no change in the law. There can be no change in the law"
 'Ieetle hard t tell jest how powerful God is," said Uncle Eb. Good deal like tryin' f weigh Lake Champlain with a quart pail an pair O steel yards"
 "lf Gods laws are unchangeable what is the use of praying?" asked.
 He can give us the strength to bear, the will to obey him an light to guide us," said the poet.
 Hope returned for few days late in August. Invitations were just issued for the harvest dance at Richards.
 You mus take 'er." said Uncle ED the dsy she came She's purty dancer as man ever see. France | right up an tell 'er she mus go. Don i want to let any one git ahead O ye."
 "Of course will go" she said in an. swer to my invitation. "I shouldn't think you were beau worth having if | you did not ask mo-"
 The yellow moon was peeriny over Woody ledge when we went away that evening. knew it was our last pleas 'lre seeking in Faraway. and the crick- ets in the stubble filled the silence with a kind of mourning.
 She looked so fine in her big hat and new gown with its many dainty access sories of lace and ribbon. adjusted with so much batting and pulling. that ns she sat beside me hardly dared touch her for fear of spelling some thing. When she shivered little and said it was growing cool put my arm lbout her. and as I drew her closer to my side she turned her hat obligingly md said it was n great nuisance.
 I tried to kiss her then. but she put her hand over my mouth and said Sweetly that I would spoil everything f I did that.
 "l must not let you kiss me. Will iam," she said "Not-not for all in he world. I'm sure you wouldn't have ne do what think is wrong-would rou:'
 There was but one answer to such m appeal. and I made myself as hap " as possible feeling her head upon ny shoulder and her soft hair touching ny cheek. As I think of it now the rust she put in me was something sublime and holy.
 Then I shall talk about-about our ove. I said. Il must do something"
 Promised I wouldn't lot you.' she aid. Then she added after a moment f silence: "I'll fell you what you may To. Tell me what is your ideal in one you would love hest f all. [ don't think that would be vscke1. do you?''
 ~ think Sod would forgive that I aid. She must be tall and slim. with dainty feet and hands and a pair