Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-02-17
CHATTER -NXII.-lContinned.l

was there, for even Quakers cannot
entirely repress their curiosity, There
was evidence of deep feeling and even
of suppressed excitement. The men In
their broad brimmed hats, the women
in the poke bonnets, moved with an
almost unseemly rapidity through the
evening shadows. The pairs and
groups conversed in rapid. eager whis-
pers. They did not linger outside the
door, but entered hastily and took their
places as if some great event were
about to happen.
There was a preliminary service OF
worship. and according to custom, op-
portunity was given for prayer or ex-
hortation. But all minds were too in
tent upon what was to follow to ena-
ble them to take part with spirit The
silences were frequent and tedious. The
young people moved restlessly on their
seats, and their elders rebuked them
with silent glances of disapprovaL all
We're in haste but nothing can really
upset thes gravity of these calm and
tranquil people, and it was not until
after a suitable time had elapsed that
the leader of the meeting arose and
said THE time has arrived when Da-
vid and Pepeeta are at liberty to pro-
coed with their marriage, unless there
be some one who can show just cause
why this rite should not be solem-
nized."
A flutter ran through the assembly,
and a moment of waiting ensued; then
David rose, while every eye was fixed
on him.
My friends" he said, in a voice
whose gentIeness and sweetness stir
red their hearts; you have refrained
from inquiring into the story of my
life during the three years of my alb
sence. I would be glad if l could with
hold it from your knowledge; but 1
feel that I must make a confession of
my sins"
In the death-like stiffness he began.
The narrative was in itself dramatic,
but the deep feeling of him who told
1T, his natural oratory and the hear
ers' intent interest, lent to it a fasci-
nation that at times became almost
unendurable Signs were often heard,
tears were furtively wiped away, criti-
cism was disarmed, and the tenderness
of this Illicit but passionate and de-
termined love, blinded even those calm
and righteous listeners to it's darker
and more desperate phases. By an
infallible instinct we discover
true love amid fictitious, unworthy and
evil elements; and when seen there is
something so sublimely beautiful that
we PROSTATE ourselves before 1t and
believe against evidence, even. that
sooner or later 1t will ennoble and con-
secrate those who feel it.
When David had completed the mar
rative he continued as follows: 1T is
now necessary that l should convince
you, If 1 can, that with my whole soul
/ have repented of this evil that have
done, and that I have sought, and I
hope obtained pardon for what is ire
parable and am determined to undo
what can. It is with awe and gratf-
fude, my friends, that I acknowledge
the aid of heaven. From the logical
and we'll deserved consequences Of this
sin / did not escape alone! ] was
snatched from it like a brand from the
burning! No mortal mind could have
planned or executed my ssRlvatioil.9 1t
Is marked by evidences of Divine pow
er and wisdom. Through a series of
experiences almost too strange to be
credible. have been drawn back here
to the scenes of my childhood, to. en-
counter the one have wronged and to
find myself, so far as 1 know, able not
only to make reparation, but to enjoy
the bliss Of a love of which l am un-
worthy. If l were wise enough L
would set before you the spiritual
meaning of this terrible experience, but
I am not. Three years ago I stood
here in boyish confidence and boldly
expounded the mysteries Of our human
life. 1t is only when we know nothing
of life that we feel able to interpret
stl Now that have seen it. tasted it,
drunk the cup almost to the dregs-I
am speechless. Three facts however,
stand out before my Wisconsin, pun
lshment, pardon! 1 have sinned; I
have suffered, have been forgiven.
have been fully pardoned, but I feel
that I have not been fully punished
There are issues of such an expert
snce as this that cannot be brought
to light in a day, a year, perhaps not
In a lifetime Whatever they are.
must await them and meet them; but
as it is permitted a man to know his
own mind, when he is determined so
TO do. I know that I have turned upon
This sin with loathingi If God permits
me to live quietly and patiently among
YOU until have so recruited my spir-
Itual strength that 1 can 90 forth into
the great world of sorrow and Of sin
which 1 have seen, and extend to 9TH
ers a hand Of helpfulness such as was
stretched out TO me at the moment Of
my need; but If there is any one here
lo whom God has given a message for /
me. whether it be to approve or con-
denim my course, I trust that I shall
have grace to receive 1t meekly."
He took his seat, and it seemed for
a few moments that every person In
the room had yielded heart and judg-
ment to this noble and modest appeal.
But there was among them one whose
stern and unyielding sense OF justice
had not been appeased. He was a man
who had often suffered for righteous
ness sake and who attached more val
"a 10 the testimony Of a clear con-
science than to any earthly dignity.
He slowly and solemnly rose. His
form was like that OF a prophet Of an
Client days. His deep-set eyes glowed
Ike two bright stars under the cloudy
,dre Of his broad -brimmed hat His