The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-01-29

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 i'll and near to death, because
he risked his life to save mine. Is not
that q 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 it
to him, whose child you are?"
Agatha, chatting in her heart, paused
a moment before she answered:
"My life has not been without it's
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
antipbonal response in the litany.
"My way has been different from
yours and it is way that would be
difficult for you to understand, posi-
bly,. But you shall not condemn me
without reason"
care you going to marry that man
you have been living with these many
days?" was the next stern inquiry.
A singing blush-a blush of anger
and outraged pride as much as OF
nodcsty-surged up over Agathas
face. She was silent a moment, and
in that moment learned what it was
to control anger.
man, in any sense of the term, Mrs
Stoddard. will say this once for all
to you, though l never would, in any
other conceivable situation, reply to
such an implication. You have no
right to say or think such things"
"Wickedness must be rebuked of the
Lord" intoned Mrs. Stoddard.
"Are you his mouthpiece?" said Aga
tina scornfully. But she was rebuked
for her scorn by Mrs. Stoddard's look.
Her eyes rested on Agatha's face with
pleading and patience, as If she were
a world mother, agonizing for the sal
walton of her children.
ut is his command to pluck the
brand frcm the burning" said Susan
Stoddard. "Ungodly example is sin,
and earthly love often a snare for
youthful feet"
AS Agatha listened to Mrs. Stod-
dard's strange plea, the instinct with
In her which, from the first moment of
the interview, had recoiled from this
fanatical but intensely spiritual wom-
en-, found its way, as it were, into the
light. Such was the power of her sim
certify. that. in spite of the extraor-
binary character of the interview, Aga
tha's heart throbbed with a new com
prehension which was almost love. She
stepped closer to Susan Stoddard her
tall figure overlapping the others
sturdy one, and took one of her strong
work-tardened hands.
Mrs. Stoddard, this man has never
spoken a word of love to me. But II
ever marry. 1t will be man like
him-a plain, high-hearted gentleman.
There! You have womans secret.
And now come with me. and help us
to save a life. You cannot, you must
not, refuse me now"
The subtle changes of the mind are
hard to trace and are often obscure
even to the eye of science; but every
day those changes make or mar our
joy. Susan Stoddard looked for long
minute up into the vivid face bending
over hers. while her spirit. even as
Agatha's had done. pierced the hedge
which separated them, and compre-
hended something of the goodness In
the others soul. Finally she laid her
other hand over Agatha's, enclosing
It In a strong clasp. Then. with a
certain pathetic pride in her submits
sion, she said:
Il have been wrong. Agatha; / win
come" Agatha's grateful eyes dwelt
on hers. but the strain OF the inter-
view was beginning TO count. She