The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-08-07
The After-GIOW.
sY STELLA MAY COFFIN.

on an emerald background; slowly
crept over the gentle slopes of the
golf ground and peeped into the rustic
summer house. Then they danced in
an coquetted with the woman sitting
on the bench till growing holder they
turned her hair to FURNISHED copper.
The light and shade cast by the lat
tlce played Enthusiastically over her face
and figure and threw dark shadows
around the feet of the man beside her.
The two sat In silence for several
moments; the mans voice breaking
the drowsy stiffness called the
woman's gaze away from the sky line
of the distant hills.
"Why should we care what the
world says? It's code of ethics is
warped and inconsistent. The modi-
flying circumstances of an act de-
termine its moral character. Those
circumstances the world seldom
knows and, even should 1t know, would
not care to understand. When the
evidence is all in and the Great Judge
prepares to bring in His verdict of
Guilty" or mot Guilty." | feel sure
that He will take into account all the
extenuating circumstances. Is your
loveless marriage sanctified in the
eyes of God simply because it has
been legalized in the eyes of man?
Your husband knows only the desire
of possession; | love you with the
complete trinity of body, mind and
soul Am | SHINING because | love
woman who has made misstep? Does
God brand her a criminal because she
returns that love? For one mistake
will He forever shut us from Already?
No! MOI Such a belief would be
libel on the goodness of God"
His voice had risen in the intensity
Of his appeal, but the last words end
ed almost in Sob
you are sacrificing your self-re-
spect. Do not high ideals count for
anything? Where are yours? Trailed
In the mire of soul-shrivelling sen,
sualism, created and fostered by the
races, the gaming table and the COM
panionship of dlssolute men and
women. To me, you are an inspiration;
my Pillar of Fire Together we shall
begin anew; the best and noblest shall
be ours. You are the one woman
mia carissima!"
He fingered over the words of en-
dearment; his very tone an involun-
tary caress, but in no way did he try
to play on the emotional side of the
woman's nature. He was a just advo-
cate seeking to present his case from
an ethical standpoint.
you say your husband refuses to
divorce you. My yacht lies in the
harbor; at word from you she shall
spread her wings. We"
On the threshold stood a little lad.
simultaneously their eyes wandered
from the tangled curls down over the
ridiculously short expanse of bare,
sun-browned legs and stopped at the
dusty socks wrinkled down over the
Tiny sandals. He held a huge bunch
Of daisies in his arm. Entirely I'M
Rbashed, he returned their look of sur
prise steadily.
Il was sure would find you here"
he began. 81 followed you over the
fields and brought you these daisies
because you have no little boy; l was
sorry for you"
hC NCAAoh NoNShN AhO NAAAN ~ hNi
arms and strained him to her yearn-
lngly. His dusty little feet strayed at
will over the skirt of her green linen
gown.
THANK YOU" she said simply, one
Of the rare smiles reserved for chill
dren illumining her face. But tell
me, dear, why you we're sorry for
me-"
Last night" the child began, nest.
ling contentedly into the curve of her
arm, 81 heard father and mother talk
ing OF you, after had gone to bed.
couldn't hear all they said, but
understood mother to say you had
hurt yourself Did you bump your
head? with a sudden inspiration
cause If you did, know just how
horrld you feel, | bumped mine once
and it hurt and hurt ever so many
nights. After 1t stopped hurting the
ugly scar stayed just the same"
The scar, John" the woman's head
dropped lower and lower; painful
silence fell on the little company The
lad slipped down, and, kissing her
hand, sped away over the hills. The
child's quick Intuition had perceived
the strain of the situation.
The man rose and raised the
womans averted face to his, unit
their eyes met. He was the first tC
break the spell which held them.
God sends revelations even in these
days. We have entertained one of Hi!
angels unawares" His voice was ten
der and strangely softened. Weighed
In the balance and almost found want
Ing. The Grey GULF shall sail to-mor
row and III must be her only pas
senger- Forgive me, dear. l did no
think about the scar"
He EMBODIED her trembling hands II
his firm. strong ones and gazed int,
he deep, steady glow of her eyes. Hi
own were very bright with unshet
tears as he said, Goodnight; Go,
bless YOU"
"The daisies" she whispered softly
carefully dividing the cluster o