The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-07-17

mans voice break
ing the drowsy stiffness called the
woman's gaze away from the sky line
of the distant hills.
Why should we care what the world
says? It's code Of ethics is warped
and inconsistent. The modifying cir
cumstances of an act determine its
moral character. Those circumstances
the world seldom knows and, even
should it know, would not care to I'M
derstand When the evidence is all
in and the Great Judge prepares 10
bring in his verdict of Guilty or Not
Guilty. ] feel sure that he will take
into account all the eXtenIating cir
cumstances. Is your loyeless mar
riage sanctifed in the eyes of God
simply because it has been legalized
in the eyes of man? Your husband
knows only the desire of possession;
l love you with the complete trinity
of body, mind and soul Am l SHINING
because | love a woman who has made
misstep? Does God brand her a
criminal because she returns that
love? For one mistake will he for
ever shut us from Already? No, No!
Such a belief would be libel on the
goodness of God"
His voice had risen in the intensity
OF his appeal but the last words end
ed almost in a sob.
You say your husband refuses to
divorce you. My yacht lies in the
harbor; at word from you she shall
spread her wings. We"
On the threshold stood a little lad
simultaneously their eyes wandered
from the tangled curls down over the
ridiculously short eXpanse of bare,
sun-browned legs and stopped at the
dusty socks wrinkled down over the
tiny sandals. He held a huge bunch
Of daisies in his arm Entirely I'M
abashed, he returned their look of sur
prise steadily.
Il was sure l would find you here"
he began. Il followed you over the
fields and brought you these daisies
because you have no little boy; was
sorry for you
The woman caught the child in her
arms and strained him TO her yearn-
ingly. His dusty little feet strayed at
will over the skirt of her green linen
gown.
Thank you, she sa simply, one
of the rare smiles reserved for chill
dren illumining her face. But tell
me, dear, why you were sorry for
me-"
Last night" the child began, nest
ling contentedIy into the curve of her
arm, 81 heard father and mother talk
ing of you, after had gone to bed, l
couldn't hear all they said, but l UNI
derstood mother to say you had hurt
yourself. Did you bump your head?
with a sudden inspiration cause if
you did, | know just how horrid you
feel. | bumped mine once and it hurt
and hurt ever so many nig-ts. After
it stopped hurting the ugly scar stay
ed just the same
The scar, John" the wcmans head
dropped lower and lower; a painful
silence fell on the little company The
lad slipped down, and. kissing her
hand, sped away over the hills. The
child's quick intuition had perceived
the strain OF the situation.
The man rose and raised the wom-
ans averted face to his, until their
eyes met He was the first to break
the spell which held them
God sends revelations even in these
days We have entertained one of his
angels unawares" His voice was ten
der and strangely softened. Weighed
in the balance and almost found want
ing The Grey Gull shall sail to NOR
row and Il must be her only pas
senger. Forgive me, dear. l did not
think about the scar"
He folded her trembling hands in
his firm, strong ones and gazed into
the deep, steady glow of her eyes His
own were very bright with unshed
tears as he said, Goodnight"
The daisies she whispered softly,
carefully dividing the cluster of flow
ers beside her and extending half of
them towards him shyly.
He took them reverently; a new,
sweet difidence had suddenly sprung
up between them. His eyes travelled
from her well-poised head in its frame
of shining hair, to her feet, clad in
their stout little oxfords. He even no
ticec, his throat contracting sharply,
the perky little bows of her wide silk
lacings. Then he turned and walked
steadfastly away; his shoulders erect,
his face turned toward the setting sun.
The woman watched him until he
disappeared around the curve in the
road. Her hands idly folded in her
lap, she saw the shadows deepen
around her one by one. Her eyes
Toasted on the wonderful after-glow
of the sunset; she saw a new signif-
canoe in the faint ambers and dusky
violets, which were superseding the
flaring oranges and fiery reds.
When the west was yelled in cloud
of fleecy mist, the evening star came
out and the pale crescent of the moon
rose over the horizon. A wondrous
quiet settled on the hills and vales
a soothing peace stole over her. and,
sinking on her knees, she hid her face
in the brown-eyed daisies and gave
thank to God for the "Afterglow."
tv DaIIv Story puh