The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-03-09
The Redemption
Of David Corson
By CHARLES FREDERIC GOSS
Copyright. Company All Rights Reserved
CHAPTER xxI1.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER XXII-(Contipued.)
The people gathered as they did at
that other service when David MADE
the address to wAich Pepeeta had lis
tened with such astonishment and rap
ture. The entire community of Friends
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 II some great event were
| about to happen.
| There was 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. AL
were In haste, but nothing can really
upset the gravity of these calm and
tranquil people, and It was not until
after suitable time had elapsed that
the leader of the meeting arose and
said: 1.-THE time has arrived when Da-
vid and Pepeeta are at liberty to pro-
ceed with their marriage, unless there
be some one who can show just cause
why this rite should not be solem-
mixed"
A futter 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 gentleness and sweetness stir
red their hearts; you have refrained
from inquiring into the story OF my
life during the three years of my abb
sence. would be glad II could with
hold 1t from your knowledge; but 1
feel that must make 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 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
a and righteous listeners to It's darker
and more desperate phases. By an
: almost infallible instinct we discover
+ true love amid fictitious. unworthy and
, evil elements; and when seen there lie
something SO sublimely beautiful that
we PROSTATE ourselves before It and
believe against evidence, even. that
sooner or later It will ennoble and con-
a secrate those who feel It
. When David had completed the mar
] rative he continued as follows: TT Is
now necessary that I should convince
: you. II can. that with my whole SOU
: I have repented Of this evil that have
: done, and that I have sought. and
hope obtained, pardon for what is IRE
parable, and am determined to undo
! what can. 1t Is with awe and graft.
, tude my friends, that acknowledge
. the aid Of heaven. From the logica
! and we'll deserved consequences Of thii
| BIn Qlu Iot ccCdR0 Was
snatched from It like brand from tn,
burningl No mortal mind could hav'
4 planned or executed my salvation.
: Is marked by evidences of Divine pow,
= or and wisdom. Through series o
~ experiences almost too strange to b,
; credible, I have been drawn back her,
e to the scenes Of my childhood. to en-
t counter the one I have wronged and t,
Il and myself, so far as know, able no
only to make reparation. but to enjo.
0 the bliss of q love of which I am un
e worthy. II / were wise enough.
4 would set before you the spiritua
meaning of this terrible experience. bu
a I am not. Three years ago I stoo,
= here In boyish confidence and boldl,
expounded the mysteries of our humal
life. II Is only when we know nothin
Of life that we feel able to interpre
I'll Now that have seen It, tasted II
r. drunk the cup almost to the dregs-
|, am speechless. Three facts. however
!. stand out before my wisconsin, pun
ishment, pardonl I have sinned,
have suffered; have been forgiven.
!, have been fully pardoned. but I fee
q that have not been fully punished
W There are Issues OF such an expert
10 ence as this that cannot be brough
" 70 light In q day. a year. perhaps NO
" In q lifetime. Whatever they are,
10 must await them and meet them; bu
to a. Il In permitted q man to know hi
"a own mind. when he Is determined 9
to do, know that have turned upo
this sin with loathingi II God permit
me to live quietly and patiently anon
you until have 90 recruited my spir
I'd itual strength that I can go forth int
a the great world OF sorrow and OF si
M which have seen, and extend to 9th
to ers . hand OF helpfulncss such an wa
T. stretched out to me at the moment {
3 my need: but II there IL any one her
- 10 whom God has given a message fc
= me, whether It be to approve or con
- demn my course. ! trust that I sha
. have grace to receive II meekly."
" He took his seat. and II seemed Il
"a few moments that every person
the room had yielded heart and judr
ment to this noble and modest appsa
But there was among them one who's
stern ana unyielding sense Of justis
e. had not been appeased. He was q ma
rs who had often suffered for righteous
4. nessf sake and who attached moro W,
m M To the testimony Of q clear COR