Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1913-06-13

the funeral cross between 0AS 60
with her hearts burden Of gTietN
convictions and resentments, each 70
coiled. s~ensitively. from the others
touch But life and the burden life
imposes were too strong.
How can you say. Mrs. stoddard
that work 10 not for me- when there
is suffering you can relieve. sickness
that you can cure? am asking q hare
thing. l know; but we viii help to
make IL IS easy al possible for you.
and we are In great need"
Should the servants Of the Lord
talter in doing his work. Mrs. stod'
dard's voice intoned reverently. while
she looked at Agatha with her sincere
eyes. mo, He gives strength TO
perform his commands. But sickness
and sorrow and death r OF every
hard: to some IL 10 appointed for q mo
ment's trial. to others It Ii the wares
Of sin. We can not alter the LordS
DEGREES"
Agatha stared 1t the rapt speaker
with amazed eyes. and presently hs
anger she had felt at Doctor ThAyeTs
words rose again within her breast
doubly strong. The doctor had given
but . feeble version OF the Judgment;
here was the real voice hurting ansthe'
ma. as did the prophets Of old. But
even as she listened, che gathered all
her force to combat this sword OF
the spirit which had % suddenly risen
against her.
you are O 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?"
II 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 erv and obey.
Keep 70 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
~feariessly into Agatha's face. I'VE DO
know about you. II 10 spoken Of By
all how you follow a wicked and
worldly profession. You can't touch
pitch aud not be defied. The temple
must be purged and emptied OF world
liness before Christ a come In"
Agatha was bafled 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 nc heart for
argument even II It would lead her
to verbal triumph over her compan-
ion. In~stinctively 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 say that Mr.. Hamhleton
IL free from your censure and worthy
Of your sincerest praise He 10 moi
an opera singer-of that I am con
vfnced--"
Susan stoddard here interpolated q
stern Don't you known
Listen. Mrs. Stoddard!" cried
Agatha In desperation. When the
yacht, the Jeanne Dare. 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 moi
been for this man; for all the rest Of
the ships load Jumped into the Goats
and rowed away to ave themselves,
He helped me to come ashore. after |
had become exhausted by swimming.
He ia nj and near to death. because
he risked his life to a " mine. 10 ho<
that q heaven-inspired act?"
Mrs. ~.Stoddard's eyes glistened al
Agatha's tale. which had at last go<
behind the older woman's arnor. But
her next attack took q form that Aga,
tina had not ~fQreseen. In her revereni
voice, 30 suited to exhortstion, she Dc
manded:
"And what will you DO with you.
life, now that you have been saved b
the hand Of God7 WIZ you dedicate II
to him. whose child you are?"
Agatha. 'chafing In her heart. paused
o moment before she answered:
my life has not been without ia
tests Of faith and Of conscience. Mrs
Stoddard: and who Of 10 does mol
wish, with the deepest y~earning. IS
know the right and to do 1T"
knowledge comes from the Lord
came Mrs. s~toddard's words. like "a
antIphonal response in the litany.
my way has been different froz
yours; and It Ia q way that would b.
dihlcult for you 70 understand. possa
bly,. But you shall not condemn -
without reason"
Are you going to marry that maj
you have been living with these mazJ
days." was the next stern inquiry.
CTo BE CoNT1NUED.)