Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-30

About the time that Lord Ancestor
had left for Egypt, after his encounter
with the oculist in the tower, mat
tiers were not going very we'll for
Fabian Dare. The rector of Clon-
boyne, whose narrow creed had been
horribly Jared by the poetic, dra-
matte, but absolutely unorthodox ser
mons, of the younger man, and much
disturbed by the signs of dissipation
on his face, came over to Donoyle to
ask Lady Donoyle to give him notice
of removal
The Rev. John Strayne was a man
whose whole life had been one long
tragedy, through an unshaken belief
In hell and its unquenohable flames.
Not that he feared them for himself
unworthy though he was, and born in
sin, he yet saw salvation waiting for
him, as a servant of the Lord. But
there were many among his flock
people he liked, and even respected
for whom he had no such hopes; and
though he preached in an agony of
entreaty, they would not be persuad-
ed. So his face was grey, and lined
with horror, and his eyes deep sunk,
but blazing with religious fervour.
Outside Of his creed he was a kindly
gentle creature, who could not endure
to see anything suffer, and the newt
able torture of 80 many who were
lifelong friends, In spite of their
worldly ways, preyed on his mind like
vitrfol
Lady Donoyle was, perhaps, the one
he felt most for. The sorrows of her
married life, instead of Christening, as
they were undoubtedly meant to do,
seemed only to drive her faster and
faster along the flowery path to de-
Btruction. If only she had not danced
down It, laughing, and giving help to
the poor, and subscribing to all his
charities! It sometimes seemed to
him like cheating, to take money from
person for the use of a religion
which condemned her to eternal
agony.
He knew that his task Of trying to
convince her ladyship that Fabian
was unfit to minister to souls would
be neither easy nor pleasant, and so
It proved. To begin with, she was
smoking a cigarette by the library
fire, and not all his disappearing
1t away, for Lady Donoyle did not be-
prejudice. 1t seemed to him incon-
gruous in the extreme to discuss re.
ligion with lady who was smoking,
and quite compromising to be sitting
alone with her. But he set his teeth
and went to work.
81 must beg you to believe" he be-
gan, after clearing his throat with
painful thoroughness, that it is not
pleasant duty that brings me here,
Lady Donoyle. 1t must naturally be
painful to have to confess that mem
Der of my sacred profession is unfit
to minister to his flock, but it is no
longer any good trying to conceal
the fact that Mr.. Dare's presence in
this neighborhood is causing a pain
full deterioration in the religious life
of my congregation
Dear mel" said Lady Donoyle,
blowing rings with practised skill
has he allowed himself to be found
out? Perhaps it Is as much the girls
fault as his own. One must not Judge
too hastily, Mr.. Strayne Still, I
should like to hear the interesting
particulars" she added, seeming a
scandal
"Giri! Lady Donoyle, bring no
such particular charge. I have heard
nothing definitely rejecting on his
moral character"
ooh" murmured his hostess, disap-
pointedly.
Il am referring now to the painfully
unorthodox views he gives voice to in
has sermons, upsetting all preconceiy-
ed IDEAS of established religion
But thought, Mr.. Strayne, that
new theologies and that sort Of thing
were all the go. The Daily Tale is
nun OF it these days, and l have been
rather Dragging to my friends in Lon
Sdon that | had man down here in
Fhe country whom I would back to
win against Ramble, or anyone; and
instead Of a congregation consisting
or Kitty, the cook, and Protestant
orphan, as we used to have, the chapel
here has standing room only notices
every Sunday. What more can YOU
want?'
But that's it!-that's it!' cried
Mr.. Strayne, excitedly. "That is how
the poison works The easy road to
heaven, that's what Mr.. Dare preach
es; that's what brings them over
from Clonboyne."
We'll, admit" answered Lady
Donoyle, hiding smile behind a cloud
Of smoke. that 1t Is rather unfair
neutrality-suspicious. are SO much
more alluring than threats. It's like
patent medicines in sugar-coated tab.
loids, against smelly medicines in
black bottles, isn't it?"
Lady Donoyle," said the clergy
man, as harshly as he dared, 81 must
ask you to treat the matter more SER
iously."
"Oh, wasn't I? I thought I was. I'm
sorry I'll throw away my cigarette
And she tossed the stump into the
fire.
What good is it," went on Mr..
Strayne, resisting the temptation to
say something about fires which the
cigarette stump had suggested to his
mind, that man fills his church.
when he only takes advantage of it TO
substitute for the fear of God, the
dread Of eternal punishment, vague
promises of a dreamy existence filled
with the perception of beauty in form,
color, sound, fragrance, such as our