Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1913-07-11

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.
mo, that work is not for me. The
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? am asking hard
thing, / know; but we will help to
make it 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 it is appointed for mo-
ment's trial, to others 1t is the wages
OF sin. We can not alter the Lords
DEGREES"
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 hurting 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 so suddenly risen
against her.
You are a 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?"
T am the humblest of his servants"
replied Susan Stoddard, and there was
no shadow of hypocrisy in her tones.
She went on, almost sorrowfully:
But we are sent to serve and obey.
4 Keep We separate and apart from the
children of this world is his com
mandment, and I 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 a wicked and
worldly profession. You can't touch
mitch 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-
J 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 1t would lead her
to verbal triumph over her compan'
J 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
i dard," she said, you must believe
me when I say that Mr.. Hambletor
: 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!" crie'
!, Agatha in desperation. When thu
D Yacht. the Jeanne dare. began to sink
r there was panic and fear everywhere
I While l was climbing down into on
e of the smaller boats. the rope broke
, ! and I fell into the water. should hav'
q drowned. then and there, IL 1t had no
9 been for this man; for all the rest o
4 the ships load jumped into the boat
+ and rowed away to save themselves
L He helped me to come ashore, after
/ had become exhausted by swimming
l. He lie i'll and near to death, becaus
II he risked his life to save mine. Is no
that a heaven-inspired act?"
Mrs. Stoddard's eyes glistened
= Agatha's tale, which had at last &c
= behind the older woman's armor. Blu
= her next attack took form that Ag'
: tina had not foreseen. In her reverer
= voice, so suited to ,exhortation, she d.
N manded:
a And what will you do with you
!, life, now that you have been saved B
a the hand of God? VIII you dedicate
= to him. whose child you are?"
~ Agatha, chatting in her heart, pause
!. a moment before she answered:
A my life has not been without Il
tests OF faith and Of conscience, Mr.
Stoddard; and who Of US does N
wish, with the deepest yearning.
: know the right and to do it,"
- knowledge comes from the Lord
m came Mrs. Stoddard's words, like q
~ antipbonal response In the litany.
my way has been different fro
"a yours; and It Is a way that would
=. difficult for you to understand. pos:
bly,. But you shall not condemn n
without reason"
Are you going to marry that me-
- YOU have been living with these mai
- days7" was the next stern inquiry.
On w oI -
ce An honest man is not a mere ar
IL. NAL; he knows right from wrong. an
Ia loves the right