Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-10-07

vain, cowardly fool. But did the best
l could" he passed his hand over his
face, and his fingers crept nervously to
his collar, "but 1t wasn't any use! 1t
wasn't any use !" He turned again to
the bishop. II heard you preach a SER
mon once. 1t was about our opportuni-
ties. You said we must live In the open.
l had never thought Of that before and
he looked at the bishop with a foolish
grin on his face. He stood up suddenly
and extended his arms. Now l want
you TO tell me what TO do. | want to be
punished This mans blood is on my
hands. | want TO be punished" And he
sank to the floor in a heap, repeating,
as II to himself, Il want to be punish
ed -
There are two great crises In the life
of a man. One Is that moment Of dis
closure when for the first time he rec
ognizes some vital weakness in his own
character The other comes when under
stress. he submits this defect to the eyes
of another. James Wheaton hardly knew
when he had realized the first, but he
was conscious now that he had passed
the second. 1t had carried him lik, a
high tide to a point Of rest; but It WIS
a point of helplessness, too.
1T isn't for us to punish YOU the
bishop began, 'and I do not see that you
have transgressed any law"
THAT is it that is it 1t would be
easier." moaned Wheaton. John turned
away. James Wheaton's face was not
good to see.
Yes, 1t would be easier" the bishop
continued. Il can see that in going back
to Clarkson many things will be hard
for you--"
Il can't, Oh, can't" He still
crouched on the floor, with his arms ex-
tended along the bench.
But that is the manly thing for you.
If you have acted a cowardly part, now
is the time for you to change, and you
must change on the field of battle. | can
imagine the discomfort Of facing your
old friends that you will suffer keen hui
initiation; that you may have to begin
again but you must do it, my friend, II
you wish to rise above yourself, and you
NAV depend upon my help
The old man had spoken with empha-
sis, but with great gentleness. He turned
TO Saxton, wishing him to speak.
II he bishop is right. You must 20
back with US, Wheaton" Put he did not
say that he would help him. John Sax
ton neither forgot nor forgave easily. He
did not see in this dark hour what he
had to do with James Wheaton's affairs.
But the Bishop of Clarkson went over
to James Wheaton and lifted him up; 1t
was as though he would make the physi-
cal act carry a spiritual aid with it.
I'VE can talk of this to better purpose
when we get home" he said. You are
broken now and see your future darkly;
but l say to you that you can be re-
stored there's light and hope ahead for
you. If there is any meaning in my
ministry it is that with the help of God
man may come out of darkness into
the light again"
There was moments silence. Whea-
ton sat bent forward on the bench, with
his elbows on his knees and his face in
his hands.
They are waiting for u.s." said Sax
ton.
A special train was sent to Great Riv-
er. and the little party waited for it on
the station platform, surrounded by
awed villagers, who stood silent In the
presence of death and a mystery which !
they but dimly comprehended. Officers |
Of the law from Clarkson came with the |
train and surrounded Bishop Delafield, |
Wheaton and Saxton as they stood with |
Grant Porter by the rude bier of Wary |
Raridan. The men answered many ques-
bo SbariH 0f tho tppk |
the detectives away with him. Margrave
had sent his private car, and the return
ing party were huddled in one end Of it.
save John Saxton, who sat alone with |
the body Of Wary Rardan. The train |
was to 90 back Immediately, but it wait
ed for the west-bound express which fol- |
lowed t and passed the special here. |
There was a moments confusion as the |
special with its dark burden was switch |
ed into a siding to allow the regular |
train to pass. Then the special returned |
70 the main track and began its home
ward journey.
John sat with his arms folded. sunk |
into his great-coat, and watched the gray |
landscape through the snow that was fall
ing fast. The events of the night seemed |
lylke Il UlutOuS uIthH IL W lo al
,eivable thing that within few hours so
lire a calamity could have fallen. The
very nearness of the city to which they
we're bound added to the unreaity of all
that had happened. But there the dark
burden lay and the snow fell upon the
gray earth and whitened it. as if to
cleanse and remake it and blot out its
color and dread. The others left Saxton
alone he was nearer than they; but late
n the afternoon, as they approached the
,ity. Captain Wheelock came in and
.ouched him on the shoulder; Bishop
Delafield wished to see him. John rose,
giving Wheelock his place, and went
Jack to where the old man sat staring
lit down by him.
where's Wheaton, the bishop asked.
John looked at him and at the other
men who sat in silence about the car.
lie went to one of them and repeated the
bishops question, but was told that
Wheaton was not on the train. He had
,een at the station and had come aboard
he car with the rest but he must have
eturned to the station and been left.
Tohn remembered the passing Of the
express, and went back and
old the bishop that Wheaton had not
ONE with them. The old man shook his
ead and turned again to the window
nd the flying panorama Of the snowy
andscape. John sat by him, and neither
poke until the trains speed diminished
I crossing on the outskirts of Clark
on. Then suddenly, hot at heart and