The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1913-08-28

the funeral cross between them. eacA
with her hearts burden OF griefs'
convictions and r~esentments, eacn TO
coiled. se~nsitively, from the others
touch. But life and the burden mo
imposes were too strong.
"How can you say, Mrs. Stoddard'
that work Is not for me- when tnere
Is suffering you can relieve, ickne
that you can cure? am asking a naro
thing, ! know; but we viii help 10
make II as easy as possible Tor you'
and we are in great need"
Should the servants Of the LORD
falter in doing his work." Mrs. Stoo'
dard's voice intonec r~eyerently, while
she looked at Agatha with her sincere
eyes. mo. He gives strength 70
perform his commands. But sickness
and sorrow and death are on every
hard; to some it is appointed for a mo-
ment's trial, to others 1t is the wage
OF Gin. We can not alter the Lords
DEGREES"
Agatha stared at the rapt speaker
with amazed eyes, and presently tne
anger she had felt at Doctor Thayers
wordc rose again within her breast
doubly strong. The doctor had given
but o feeble version of the judgment;
here was the real voice hurting anathe-
ma. as did the prophets Of old. But
eve 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 SIN 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?"
81 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.
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
IbdIl6SSly luJO ASdIhd . ldSSB W. w
know about you. 1t is spoken OF by
all how you follow a wicked and
worldly profession. You can't 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 he
own texts might easily be turned
against her. But she had 40 heart for
argument, even IL it would lead her
to verbal triumph owe her compan-
ion. Instinctively she felt that not
thus was Mrs. Stoddard to be o
Whatever you may think about me
or about, my profession, Mrs. Stod-
dard," she said, you must believe
me when I say that Mr.. Hambleton
is free from your censure and worthy
OF your sincerest praise. He is not
an opera singer-of that l am con-
vcnced-"
Susan Stoddard here i~nterpolated a
stern Don't you known"
IlSIeu, mISs oIOuddiu' SklSu
Agatha in desperation. When the
yacht, the jeanne Dare, began to sink,
there was panic and fear everywhere.
While l was climbing down into n
OF the smaller boats, the rope broke,
and | fell into the water. l should have
drowned, then and there, If 1t had not
been for this man; for all the rest Of
the ships load jumped into the boats
and rowed away to saw themselves.
He helped me to come ashore, after I
had become exhausted by swimming.
He is Ill and near to death. because
he risked his life to save mine. Is not
that a heaven-inspired act?"
Mrs. S~toddard's eyes glistened at
Agatha's tale, which had at last got
behind the older .woman's rmo 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, 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.
S~tod6ard; 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. S~toddard's words, like an
~antiphonal response in the litany.
MY way has been different from
yours; and 1t is a way that would be
| difficult 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.