St. Tammany farmer., 1906-05-26

lnE
| REMUNERATION |
By MARTHA HENDERSON GRAY
Copyright. 1905, by Joseph B. Bowles)
Rev. Philip Ware looked thoughtful
~ around the sitting-room Of the tiny
hat. It was very homelike; there
were evidences of a woman's fingers in
every little nook, and over all was
the soft rose light from the lamp.
She had come into his parish six
months before, and he had made his
first call upon her in his capacity OF
minister. He had called many times
very many times. but these were not
altogether in the capacity Of minister.
This was noted by his devoted par
ish, and on this account the newcom-
er was promptly disliked by several.
There was one girl who disliked her
particularly; . tall dark girl, with
beautiful hair. and the face of saint.
Besides, the report had been spread
abroad, started by some one who
knew her before she came to NJ .
that she was separated from her hus-
band.
Rev. Philip Ware thought Of al this
as he waited.
It would be very simple, he rea-
soned. He would not stay long, they
would have a pleasant, friendly chat
at first, and then as he was going, he
would tell her. She would under.
stand: she was a woman Of the world,
and would know what he meant with
out his telling It all.
Then feeling that he was not alone,
he looked up and saw her standing in
the doorway. She was looking at him
with q peculiar intense expression In
her eyes, and he caught the look be;
fore she had time to veil it behind her
usual laughing manner.
At that look Rev. Philip Ware lost
his wonderful self-control. Springine
to his feet, he strode determinedly to
the door and clasped the soft, woman.
" figure in his arms. She Quivered a
little and then was very still. Silently
he laid her head against his shoulder
and laid his lips upon hers. Somehow
he had forgotten about the friendly
ciaat and the little message just before
he went.
Suddenly the sound Of a bell in the
next fiat brought them to conscious
ness. It was the woman who started
back.
Let me go. Philip" she said. quick
" and firmly; .'let me CO."
But he made no motion except to
clasp her more closely. There was q
dogged look In his eyes which she did
not like to see.
"Philip." she pleaded, and there was
a ring almost Of desperation in her
voice, "for Gods sake let me CO."
At that name-the name Of the King
whose ambassador he was-some con-
sciousness of what he was doing came
to Rev. Philip Ware. and for Gods
sake-for His only-he let her go.
Listen to me, Marian" he cried
"My love for you is stronger than any.
thing else, and-you must love me
you shall"
Rev. Philip Wares voice rang out as
firmly and powerfully as was its wont
when he read, "Thou shalt not" in the
Commandments. Perhaps the woman
thought of this, for she shivered
slightly.
"You know that to me-" he went on
more quietly, death alone has the
power to separate those who have been
Joined together; but since in your eyef
divorce is lawful, I will wait until
you are freed. SO now there can bt
nothing to keep US apart unless You
say that you do not love me: but you
dos It not 80. sweet!
He bent nearer slowly. as II afraid
Of frightening her. but a. he touched
her hair she started back and, snatch
ing away her hands, moved quickly
to the other side Of the room. Slowly
she turned and faced him, and when
she spoke her voice was calm and
natural.
81 think you must surely be forget
ting yourself. I did not know that
had ever given you cause to think
that I loved you-until. perhaps, Just
now: but that was because-becaust
YOU surprised me so that did not re
alize what you were saying and do
ing"
Had she thought Of It she would
have been amused at herself for falter
ing-she to whom this was an old
story.
But as she glanced at him there was
something in his eyes that she could
not bear to see-those eyes from whose
depths she would have.kept away the
shadow Of pain with her very life
She only knew that she loved him bet
ter than anything in the heavens
above or the waters under the eartt
the phrase came to her unbidden-
and that she had given him his death
blow. Why could she not go to him
as he sat there, with his head buried
in his hands, and tell him this-tel
him that she would do what he asked
would 70 with him anywhere?
II she alone were to be considered
she would do It; but he must be kept
safe: his honor must never be blem.
ished. nor his career as priest OF God
be gpdiled. So this woman. Of whom
ga -or1d smoke 20 sliRhtingly. nerved
herself to- begin the struggle against
him and her other SELF.
Il have always been called heart
Iess !. ahe said in m Unconditional tone