The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-03-09

talty. MOI q trace OF tenuer eHiolioh
was evident on features, which might
have been carved In marble. 1t was
impossible to conceive that he had
ever been young, and there seemed
bitter irony in the effort of such
man to Judge the cause of a love like
that which pleaded for satisfaction In
the hearts of David and Pepeeta, and
to pronounce upon the destinies OF
those whose souls were still throbbing
with passion.
But such was the purpose OF the
man. His first words sounded on the
stiffness like an alarm bell and shook
the souls of listeners with a sort Of
terror.
I'VE did not seek to try this cause,
he said. 1T was brought before us
by the wish of this sinful man him
self But II we must Judge. let us judge
like Godl We read Of Him-that he
lays righteousness to the line and
judgment to the plummet.' Let US do
the same. That great wrong hath
been done is evident to every mind.
1t Is not meet that such wrongs should
go unpublished! These two transgres-
sosr have suffered; but who believes
that such wrongs may justly be so
soon followed by felicity? 1t would
be an encouragement to evil-doers and
premium upon vice! Who would re-
frain from violently rending the mar
riage bonds or sundering any sacred
tie, II In a few short months the fruit
of the guilty deed might be eaten In
peace by the culprit2 What assurance
l. A.. III 49, L..
been but superficially craven on this
guilty heart may not be obliterated in
the enjoyment Of Triumph Why
should these youths make such un-
seemly haste? If they are indeed in
| earnest to seek the truth and lay to
heart the meaning of this experience
into which their sinful hearts have led
them, let them of their own accord and
| out of their humble and contrite hearts
| devote year to meditation and
prayer. Let them show to others they
| have learned that to live righteously
and soberly. and not to grasp ill-got-
ten gains or enjoy unhallowed pleas
ures, is the chief end of human life!
The hour is ripe for such demonstra-
tion. We have seen other evidences
among us of an unholy hungering after
the unlawful pleasures of life. It is
time that halt were called. If this
community Is dedicated to righteous
ness then let us exalt the standard. It
Is at critical moments like this that
history Is made and character formed.
If we weaken now, If we permit our
hearts to overpower our consciences,
God will smite us with His wrath, vice
will rush upon us like a flood, and we
shall be given over to the lust Of the
flesh and the pride of life! TO the law
and to the testimony, my brethren
This is my message! This is the ad-
vice ye have invited! Wait year!
Watch and pray! Fit yourselves for
the enjoyment Of your love by repent
ance"
The impression made by these SOL
emn words was tremendous. 1t was as
If eternity had suddenly dawned in
that dim-lit room. and the leaves Of
the book Of doom had been opened.
Upon Pepeeta this message had fal.
len like thunderbolt. Her Orienta,
imagination, her awakened conscience
her throbbing heart had all been thrill.
ed. She did not move; her eyes were
still fixed on the prophet; her face was
white; her hands were clasped Tight,
In her lap.
The demure Quaker maiden who hat
looked love out Of her dove-like eve.
three years ago when Pepeeta appear.
ed for the first time among these uuie
folk, was in her old familiar seat. He,
life had never been the same since tina
| hour 20
with all the deep Intensity of which ,
heart so young. SO pure, 80 true wa,
capable, had been suddenly stolen from
her by stranger. Her thwarte,
love had never found expression. an,
she had borne her pain and loss a,
became the child Of a religion of si
|. lence. patience and fortitude. But tn
wound had never healed, and now sb
. was compelled to be a sad and hone
les spectator Of another scene whicl
sealed her fate and made her futur
hopeless. Her bonnet hid the sad far
from view, as her heart hid its secre,
The soul of David Corson had passe
: through one of those genuine and per
manent revolutions which sometime
take place In the nature of man. III
had completed the cycle of revolt an
anarchy to which he had been con
) demned by his Inheritance from a will
, and prcfiigate father. Whether tha
, fever had run its natural course a
} whether as David himself believed. h
: had been rescued by an ect of diyin
: Intervention, 1t is certain that Tn
. change was as actual as that whic
, takes place when grub becomex
butterfly. 1t was equally certain TIM
. from this time onward 1t was the men
( tai and spiritual characteristics Of hi
. mother which manifested themselves 4
r his spiritual evolution He became n,
: true self.-a saint, an ascetic. a mystI,
! potential martyr.
When he rose to his feet. his far
r shining with an inward light and glow
Ing with a sublime purpose. all bs
: heved that he was about to summo
| Pepeeta to their marriage. What wa
the astonishment then. when in rar
. words he began:
God has spoken to us, my friend
: We have heard his voice. II Ia 10
: aoon for me to enjoy this blissI Ye
: I win waiti I will dedicate this vea
:. to meditation and prayer. Pepeet,
. wilt thou Join me In this resolution
: II thou wilt. let the betrothal OF tn
q night be one OF soul to soul and bot
II