Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-01-21
row with which the minister himself

szHzzzM.Ev lsza1e
row with which the minister himself
or his beadle cultivated the manse
garden. could be seen mounting the
slope as a single track.
| Yes, the Reverend BENJAMIN was al
home. A little thinner, a little paler
little more compressed about the
lips thus Vic Morris found Mr.. Iron
gray. Otherwise there was no differ
ence in the manse. save that a silent
housekeeper of mature years had
taken the place of the voluble mothe,
who had run her sons head against
so many stone walls during her tor
! years conduct of the affairs of the
Kirk on the Hill.
"Morris Well! Morris!"
And a handgrip said the rest. Both
We're strong men, and the water that
stood in their eyes may have been
due as much to the muscular power
developed as to affection. Perhaps
there was little of both.
What brings you here, Morris?"
This, however, was easier asked
than answered.
| Vic had dwelt long enough in Ccot
land to know how to gain time by
asking for Mr.. Irongrays' mother
for his mother-in-law, his sister his
nephews- his nieces his relatives
up to many generations. For Scot
may grow impatient at your asking
questions as to his own headth. but
never when these concern the healths
and appetites of his kindred, however
remote.
but what brings you here?" repeat
ed Mr.. Irongray, when all these points
had been finally cleared up and dis
posed Of
First. for something to eat!" Still
Vic put off the evil day. For he him
| self saw that it could not be for long
The silent, elderly woman of forbid
ding aspect was already setting the
table. The cloth was laid In five
minutes they would be left alone.
Vic resolved to open all his heart
He could not have decided better.
After he had spoken, Mr.. Irongray
laid down his knife and fork.
II suppose that the first thing that
you will do. when you do see Janet
Fowler will be to tell her all about
your recent interview with Miss Vida
-ah-Romer?"
"Of course" said Vic promptly, 81
should not be an honest man unless
did sou
Hum" said the minister, cutting
himself frugal slice of cheese with
his sisters Ayrshire butter for des
sert, II thought that would be your
way of looking at things Well, as a
church. we do not believe in compul
q IIriry11ar oct ~
all to woman. A man has little bag
in which he drops things he wants to
forget. He forgets them = because he
wills it."
And here the voice of the bachelor
minister of the Kirk on the Hill took
on more solemn tone, changing al.
most as suddenly as if some one had
pulled lever.
And because of this, with rever.
ence be it spoken, there is something
Godlike in the worst man. He can
forget"
And he quoted catena of texts.
"Who is God like unto thee. who
pardoneth iniquity He retaineth
not His anger forever And thou
shalt cast all their sins into the
depths of the sea-"
Vic was silent. not yet seeing with
err he was being led. The minister
was at once SO simple and so subtle.
Humanity hath sought out many
devices, but a Womangod, as god of
gods hath it not found and for this
reason. Human or divine, a woman
cannot forget. and therefore cannot
truly forgive There is always bar.
rier. Therefore, once again, speak not
of the matter of Vida Romer. who
was called Bryan to Janet Fowler!
That were indeed great folly"
at seems like the breaking of a
butterfly on wheel of great texts"
said Vic; 80 many heavy reasons for
SO light thing.'
Nothing is light or heavy before
the Lord or before a woman" said
Benjamin Irongray. "Nor is anything
to be treated lightly that may wreck
your life! You tell me that you would
never be a man again a good, faith
full, enduring man. unless you have
this woman to wife,"
Vic nodded. That was putting the
matter in a new way. But, after all,
that was the gist of the affair He
wanted to marry Janet, and he could
not be happy without her. He felt
that more and more. The minister
was near enough to the mark. Let it
pass.
"a little while ago l, too, should
have hidden you follow your thought.
L did not then know how a man
may desire a fellowship the love of