The Springfield herald., 1913-05-02

calm. other-worldly eyes. from her
serene. deep voice.
mo. Miss Redmond. that work is
not for me-"
But please. Mrs stoddard. will you
not reconsider your decision? 1t is
not for myself ask. but for another
one who is suffering"
Mrs. Stoddard's gaze went past
Agatha and rested on the white cross
with the inscription, Brother" She
slowly shook her head. saying again.
"No. that work Is not for me. Tho
Lord does not call me there"
AS the two women stood there. with
the funeral cross between them. each
with her hearts burden of griefs.
convictions and resentments. each re-
coiled. sensitively, from the others
touch. But life and the burden life
imposes were too strong.
How can you say. Mrs. Stoddard.
that work is not for me- when there
is suffering you can relieve, sickness
that you can cure? I am asking hard
thing, l know; but we will help to
make 1t as easy as possible for you.
and we are in great need"
Should the servants of the Lord
falter In doing his work." Mrs. Stod-
dards voice intoned reverently. while
she looked at Agatha with her sincere
eyes. NO. He gives strength to
perform his commands. But sickness
and sorrow and death are on every
hard; to some 1t is appointed for mo-
ment's trial, to others 1t ia the wages
OF sin. We can not alter the Lords
decrees."
Agatha stared at the rapt speaker
with amazed eyes. and presently the
anger she had felt at Doctor Thayer's
words rose again within her breast,
doubly strong. The doctor had given
but feeble version of the judgment;
here was the real voice hurling anathe-
ma. as did the prophets of old. But
even as she listened, she gathered all
her force to combat this sword OF
the spirit which had 10 suddenly risen
against her.
"You are hard and unjust woman.
to talk of the wages of sim What
do you know Of my life. or Of him
who is sick over at the red house?
Who are you, to sit in judgment upon
us?"
IT am the humblest of his servants"
replied Susan Stoddard. and there was
no shadow of hypocrisy in her tones.
She went on. almost sorrowfully:
"Dut we are sent to serve and obey.
Keep ye separate and apart from the
children of this world is his COM
mandment, and have no choice but
to obey. Besides" and she looked up
fearlessly into Agatha's face. I'VE do
know about you. 1t Is spoken Of by
all how you follow wicked and
worldly profession. You cant touch
pitch and not be defiled. The temple
must be purged and emptied Of world
illness before Christ can come in"
Agatha was baffled by the very sim
plicity and directness of Mrs. Stod-
dard's words, even though she felt her
own texts might easily be turned
against her. But she had no heart for
argument, even II it would lead her
to verbal triumph over her compan-
ion. Instinctively she felt that not
thus was Mrs. stoddard to be won.
whatever you may think about me
or about my profession. Mrs. Stod-
dard," she said. you must believe
me when I say that MI. Hambleton
is free from your censure and worthy
Of your sincerest praise. He is not
an opera singer-of that am con-
vinced-"
Susan Stoddard here interpolated
stern Don't you know"
Listen. Mrs. Stoddard!" cried
Agatha in desperation. when the
yacht, the Jeanne D'Arc. began to sink.
there was panic and fear everywhere.
While I was climbing down, into one
of the smaller boats. the rope broke,
and fell into the water. should have
drowned, then and there. II It had not
been for this man: for all the rest Of
the ships load jumped into the boats
and rowed away to save Themselves.
He helped me to come ashore. after !
had become exhausted by swimming.
He is Ill and near to death, because
he risked his life to save mine. Ia not
that heaven-inspired act?"
Mrs stoddard's eyes glistened at
Agatha's tale, which had at last got
behind the older woman's armor. But
her next attack took a form that Aga
tina had not foreseen. In her reverent
voice, so suited to exhortation, she de-
manded:
And what will you do with your
life, now that you have been saved by
the hand Of God? Will you dedicate 1t
to him. whose child you are?"
Agatha, chafing in her heart. paused
a moment before she answered:
"My life has not been without its
tests OF faith and OF conscience, Mrs.
Stoddard: and who Of US does not
wish. with the deepest yearning. to
know the right and to do it?"
knowledge comes from the Lord"
came Mrs. Stoddard's words. like an
antiphonal response in the litany.
my way has been different from
yours; and It is a way that would be
difilcult for you to understand. posi-.
bly,. But you shall not condemn me
without reason"
Are you going to marry that man
you have been living with these many
days." was the next stern inquiry.
Cro BE coNTINUED.)
An honest man is not a mere AMI