Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-27

dence says So"
Prudence said Connie gravely
lis dear sweet thing, but she's awful
ly old fashioned, Carol you know
that"
Carol and Lark were speeches.
They would as soon have dreamed o.
questioning the catechism as Pru
dence's perfection.
"She's narrow. She's darling, o.
course. but she isn't up-to-date.
want to know what folks are talking
about I don't believe this poem. I'm
a Christian. But want to know what
other folks think about me and what
! believe That's all. Prudence is
fine but I know a good deal more
about some things than Prudence will
know when she's thousand years
old"
The twins still sat silent
"Of course, some folks wouldn't ap.
things like this. But l approve of it.
want to know why l disagree with
this poetry, and I can't until know
where we disagree It's beautiful,
Carol, really. It's kind of sad. 1t
makes me want to cry. It's"
I've big notion to tell papa. on
you," said Carol soberly and sadly
Connie rose at once.
Whats the matter?"
I'm going to tell papa myself"
Carol moved uneasily in her chair.
"Oh, let it go this time. IL just
mentioned It to relieve my feelings. |
won't tell him yet. III talk it over
with you again. I'll have to think it
over first"
Il think I'd rather tell him" insist,
ed Connie.
Carol looked worried, but she knew
Connie would do as she said So she
got up nervously and went with her.
She would have to see it through now.
of course. Connie walked silently up
the stairs. with Carol following meek
ly behind and raped at her fathers
door. Then she entered, and Carol,
in a hushed sort of way, closed the
door behind them.
Pm reading this. father. Any OBJ
jections?" Connie faced him calmly
and handed him the little book
He examined it gravely. his brows
sudden wrinkling at the
corners of his lips tina, might have
meant laughter, or disapproval, or
81 thought parsonage girl should
not read it, Carol said bravely. "I've
never read it myself. but I've heard
about il, and parsonage girls ought to
read parsonage things. Prudence says
So But"
But | want to know what other
folks think about what | believe" said
Connie. so I'm reading it,
What do you think of it," he asked
quietly, and he looked very strangely
1t his baby daughter. 1t was suddenly
borne in on him that this was one
,risis in her growth to womanhood
md he felt a great yearning tender
less for her. in her innocence, in her
launtless courage, in her reaching
ahead, always ahead 1t was crisis,
md he must be very careful.
81 think it is beautiful" Connie said
'oftly. and her lids dropped little.
md wistful pathos crept into her
'oice. at seems so sad. | keep wish
ng could cry about it. There's moth
ne really sad in it. think II is sup
,osed TO be rather jovial, butt
Gems terrible to me. even when it is
he most beautiful. Part Of it don't
very we'll"
He held out hand to- Connie, and
he put her own in 1t confidently Car.
il, too. came and stood close beside
i'm.
Yes" he said. ut is beautiful, Con-
lie. and it is very terrible We can't
Understand it fully because we can't
eel what he felt It is cropping
oem, :, struggle for light when one is
tumbling in darkness" He looked
at the girls. HE was
marvellous man, that Khayyam-
ears ahead of his people and his
ime. He was big enough to see the
liocy of the heather idea of God, he
yas beyond them, he spurned them.
each out, alone, and get hold of our |
ind of God. He was reaching out. |
e was struggling. but he couldn't |
ute catch hold. 1t is wonderful |
oem. 1t shows the weakness, the |
OF gifted man who has |
othing to cling to- think it will do |
GU good to read 1t. Connie Read it |
gain and again, and thank God, my.
hid, that though you are only girl, !
GU have the very tl,ng this man, this
enius. was craving. We admire his
alent. but We pity his weakness. You
ill be sorry for him. You read it |
30. Carol. You'll like it, We can't
it, as say. because We
re so sure Of our Code that we can't |
eel what he felt, having nothing But
e can feel the heartbreak, the fear,
lie shrinking back from the Provi.
ence that he called Fate-of course
makes you want to cry, Connie II
the saddest poem in the world"
Comics eyes were very bright She
linked bard few times. choking back
lie rush of tears. Then with an i'm
ulsiyaness she did not often show |