The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-01-02
words Of explanation to his wife, he
rode quickly aWay

| tolerable to her! The eastern bound
she could but reach the station with
out delay all would be we'll Once
aboard the train and nothing could
stop her. She moved about quickly
! packing a few necessary articles in a
small valise. Cloak and hat were
donned hurriedly, and with swift
farewell glance at the room behind
| her she walked out, only to hear her
husbands voice saying 10 Betty:
Where is Mrs. Brooks? | want her.
Laura S heart beat almost to suffoca-
| ton and her cheeks were scarlet with
excitement.
Laura he called ooh. you are
here, as his glance fell upon her. Il
met one of the Bentley children be-
| fore l had gone far. and she said her
mother needed you badly. | have re.
turned for you. Will you go?"
She stood a moment irresolute. the
hot blood surging to her cheeks Her
lips moved as if she would speak.
John took her hand tenderly and said /:
MY Laura will not refuse the re-
quest of this poor woman, who per
haps is in great need of a woman 3
tender hand"
With bowed head she stood.
Il will co. she said at last but
there was no smile In her face and her
voice trembled. She dared not meet
her husbands eyes.
They had reached Bentleys door
and entered noisesssly. The poor
woman was suffering but conscious.
She smiled feebly when she saw the
minister's wife, and stretched out her
thin hand. Laura pressed it kindly
and asked after her needs.
Late in the afternoon when the sick
woman was comfortable and could be
left with her children, John came to
take his wife home. She was silent
and constrained and even her hus-
bands kind words and affectionate
manner failed to bring the desired
smile. His tender heart was greved.
and that night long after she was fast
asleep, he sat thinking What did it
all mean? Why was she so changed
so cold and silent? Thoughts came to
him that were banished instantly and
almost tiercely. Laura was his wife
and with prayer on his lips for her.
he slept.
When he awoke the sun was shin.
ing, and the pure air and balmy f.
IN "a hlI
Sabbath calm seemed to rest every
where
He was busy with thoughts for hi
morning sermon as they walked on to
ward the little church in the valley
He knew Dick Bentley would be there
on the front seat as usual. for he never
missed Sunday, no matter how hard
he had been drinking What should
he say to him? How help him? Bent.
ley was a man who liked to have peo-
pie rely upon his word and he must
show him in some way how he had
broken his promise to his wife
An unspeakable JOY came to the
minister as he opened the Bible upon
the little pulpit, and his eyes bright.
ened as he announced his text, Until
death do us part The words came
easily as by divine inspiration He
forgot everything but his subject and
the man before him, and preached as
never before. His eyes glowed, his
fine face was spiritualized.
His audience were eager, eXpectant,
xxtL yA,, Ia 4, i
ognition of his. powerful words.
Dick Bentley's face showed signs OF
anger, then gradually the look changed
and the great tears welled from his
eyes and dropped upon his coat sleeve
and his heart grew tender.
On the other side of the room a fair
young face was bowed in grief Shame,
regret and supplication were written
there. 1t was the face of Laura, the
minister's wife. She had listened in.
tently to her husbands words, her
heart rebelling, TIL at last her will
was broken and she saw her wrong
Till death do us part" Had she not
promised that? How was she fulfilling
her vow?
The minister knelt in prayer. ray
OF light stole in and seemed to rest
upon his head in benediction.
When the prayer was ended and he
arose from his knees two figures knelt
side by side at the altar steps The
womans lips moved in prayer.
"Oh, Lord" she said, our sins are
grievous unto us. Remember them
against us no more"
She is praying for Dick Bentley, "
they whispered.
The congregation was dismissed,
but still the prayer poured forth from
those lips: "Oh, Lord, remember them
no more"
At last she arose and came toward
her husband with shining face and out.
stretched hands. My husband" was
all she said, but II was enough for
John, for he took her in his arms and
wiped her tears away.
Dick Bentley arose and with glad
tears and "a God bless you" for each
OF them, walked quickly away.
Laura turned her happy face to her
husband and. with arms around his
neck. whispered: Until death do us
part" and John, with radiant face
murmured: Amen"
Cause OF NapoIeon's Fall.
There Is no doubt Napoleon fell