The daily tribune., 1907-07-24
His Sacrifice
Ry Mary Clarke Hustinsten
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|, was a month since Deborah had
ssid yes to PArsen Farrell, pebo'
rah never found the minister's wooing
distasteful, His cultivated accents
and unvarying courtllness impressed
her as did his quotations from Holy
Writ she considered him superior
| being. who yet felt 1t privilege that
she allowed herself to belong to him,
and she knew that the neighborhood
girls enyicd hor the position she would
| hold as his wife She felt no shrink.
| Ing from life-journey with this young
ecclesiastic; the future looked all
green pastures and still waters.
Deborah was humming a love tune
as she sat spinning under the arbor
as her betrothed came quietly and sat
down beside her.
Are you spinning because there is
no more cooking to be done?'
you wouldn't ask that II you could
could see the doughnuts that Aunt
Lydia is frying. and Aunt Abigail Is
still making spice cakes. She began
so early this morning that Aunt Lydia
wondered she hadn't sat up all night
Tomorrow brings the full of the
harvest moon," said Parson Farrell
thoughtfully. AT last harvest moon
was packing for the start to this
pastorate. And when l had finished
| sat by the window of my lodgings,
wondering what the future held for
me. didn't know that it held you for
me-"
Deborah responded to his mood:
"And what was | doing last har-
vest moon? Oh. yes--there was a
froiic at Judge Percival's, and l went.
We danced"
She paused, c)loring under his
eyes.
"A minister's wife cannot dance, De-
borah."
Il don't wish to dance. l never
wish to dance again"
She spoke with the positiveness of
youth that does not know itself, lay
Ing a convincing hand on his arm; and
he looked at her with his face melt
ing to such rare tenderness that 1t
was like a caress. He seldom kissed
her; he was more apt to take her, as
1t were, into the depths of his heart
by one Of those swift face softenings.
Deborah wondered II he would ever
kiss her when they were married. Or
didn't married people kiss each
other?
Il hear Judge Percival's son returns
home soon. His ship is anchored In
Boston harbor. What i'll people here
seem fond of telling about him-and
never any good. Yet remember him
at college as being most kindly. We
roomed together until some prank sent
him away, and as he dreaded meeting
his father he went to sea. He nursed
me through q three weeks Illness
and as tenderly as woman. | learn
ed to love him like brother. and
shall not forget the debt ] owe him
being as poor then In friends as in
money" There was silence - Debo.
rah looking into her lap, Parson Far
rell looking out across the green
meadows at the haze blue hills And
at the husking tomorrow evening
your father announces our betrothal.
Everybody will know then that we
belong to each other
When he had gone the spinning
wheel turned again: but there was
upon her face shade not cast by
flickering grape leaves.
i've taken that sweet Image every
where" said some one close behind
her.
This time the voice startled De-
borah. She rose so hastily that she
stepped upon the hem of her gown.
and was kept from falling by arms
which held her fast.
You haven't altered a bit since we
danced the Virginia Reel, except to
grow loveler. Won't you tell me
that you're glad to see me Won't you
sweetheart"
She struggled to free herself
you mustn't. Oh. Ephraim. I've
promised to marry the minister"
He stepped back, his face falling un.
der its tan.
He came here since you left home
His name is Enoch Farrell, He says
he knew you at college, and he spoke
so kindly Of you that liked him more
than ever"
II remember Enoch Farrell. He's
fine fellow. But I've been trying to
make myself good man for you,
Deborah. thought you knew /
loved you. And you love me. You
may marry the minister-but you love
me! Deborah, you love mel"
The crowd had begun to come
for the husking bee. and as there was
to be no dancing, tables had been set
in the long barn, and lanterns were
upon bountiful repast. The corn
to be husked was piled In shocks out.