The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-02-26
CHAPTER XXI.

| In short breaths or long inspirations
as the story shifted from phase to
phase. and when at last he had nm
lshed, she clasped her hands and gazed
up into the depths of the sky with
eyes that were swimming in tears.
| Poor doctor. poor old man." Pepee-
Ia sighed at last. "Oh! How we have
wronged him. how we have made him
suffer. He was always kind! He was
rough, but he was kind. Oh! why
could I not have loved himf But
did not. I could not. My heart was
asleep. II had never once walked from
Its slumber until 1t heard your voice,
David. And, afterwards-wellI I could
not love him! But why should we
have wronged him SO? How base 1t
was! How terriblel 1 pity him,
blame myself-and yet I cannot wish
him back. What does all this mean
for u.s. David? Perhaps you can see
the light now, as you used to! think
from your face and your voice that
you are your old self again. Ohl II
you can see that inner light once
more, consult 1t. Ask II II there Is
any reason why we cannot be happy
now? Tell it that your Pepeeta Is too
weak to endure this separation any
longer. am only a woman, David!
cannot any longer bear life alone. /
love you too deeply. cannot live
without you"
Waiting long before he answered. as
II to reflect and be sure, David said
quietly but confidently. "Pepeeta, l
cannot see any reason why I'VE should
not begin our lives over again, start
Ing at this very place from which we
made that false beginning three long
years ago. We cannot go back. but,
In a sense, we can begin again"
But can we really begin again p
she asked. How is 1t possible2 / do
not see! We are not what we were.
There is so much of evil In our hearts.
We were pure and innocent three
years ago. Is 1t not necessary to be
pure and innocent? And how can we
be with all this fearful past behind
us2 We cannot become children
againl"
II have thought much and deeply
about It," David responded. Il know
not what subtle change has taken
place within me, but know that II
has been great and real My heart
was hard. but not 1t is tender. 1t was
full Of despair, and now 1t Is full OF
hope. / am not as innocent as / was
that night when you heard me speak
In the old Quaker meeting house, oil
rather I am not innocent In the same
way. My heart was then like spring
among the mountainsl 1t had sort Of
virgin innocence. I had sinned only
In thought. and in the dreamy imagi.
nations of unfolding youth. 1t is diff
ferent now; a whole world Of realized
actualized evil lies buried in the depth.
Of my soul. 1t Is there. but 1t Is there
only as memory and not as a living
force. There must in some way,
cannot tell how, be purity of gull
as well as of innocence. and perhaps
It Is purity of still higher ant
finer kind. There was peace O
mind which I had as an innocent boy
which do not possess now; but
have another and deeper peace. Their
! was childish courage; but 1t was tn,
courage of one who had never beer
exposed to danger. There il anothe
|, courage in my heart now, and 1t Il
the courage Of the veteran who ha
barred his bosom to the foe! / know
mot by what strange alchemy these ii
verse elements of evil can have be
come absorbed and Incorporated int,
this newer and better life. but this
ldo know, and nothing can make M
doubt it-that while am not so good
J lyet am better; while / am not 81
lpure, yet / am purer. Yes. Pepeeta
II think we can go back on our track
1--WE can be born again! We can ono
Imore be little children. I feel mysel
Ia little child tonight who, fey
and crushed under load Of wretched
ness and miseryi God seems near 4
mel life seems sweet to me. Let u
begin again. Pepeeta. We have trav
eled round circle, and have com
back TO the old starting point Let u
begin again."
"Ohl David" she said, kissing tn
hands she held; how like your oil
self you are tonight. Your words O
hope have filled my soul with Joy. I
liit your presence alone that has don
, lit. or IL It Gods. or 10 II both7
J change has come over the very worl
laround US. Ali is the Same. and ye
/ Ian IL different. The stars are bright
, or. The brook has a sweeter music
, There IL something Of heaven In thi
Intoxicating cup you have put to m
. liipsi / seem to be enveloped by
spiritual presencei Hushl Do yo
hear voices 2"
The excitement had been too intens
lfor this sensitive woman to endur
. with tranquility. Her heart. her con
: science. her imagination had suffere
: Ian almost unendurable strain. Sh
, Inuns herself into the arms Of her love
land trembled upon his breast. and h
held her there until she had regaine
, her composure
do you really love me ystf- Oh
. asked. at length. raising her face an
.. gazing up into his with an expressio
In which the simple affection Of a III
Tile child was strangely blended wit
the passionate love Of an ardent an
adoring woman.
Love you'll" he cried; your face ha
, | been the last vision upon which
| gazed when fell into restless slum
! her, and the first which greeted re
! turning consciousness. when wake
I lfrom my troubled dream Ny life ha
, been but fragment since we parted
4 part OF my individuality seemed I