Bridgeton pioneer., 1917-09-20
The Change In
Edwin Leroy
BY ETHEL HOLMES

Edwin Leroy was not an especially
spiritual man, though he was what
may be termed a thoughtful one. He
was not given to philosophic specula-
tons, nor was he Of a devotional ma
ture. If he had any especial intellec-
tual prediction it was for science,
though even In this he read only what
was written for popular instruction.
Circumstances had compelled him to
assist himself on several occasions, and
this had given him a reputation for be-
ing combative.
One day-rather, one moment-a great
change came over him. He was walk
ing on a road and met a girl. He
looked at her; she looked at him. She
lowered !'er eyes, but before she did
so some vague internal announcement
was ma .e in both that they were
mates. Leroy turned and Joined her.
There was no conversational introduc-
ton. They walked on together.
The mating between Edwin Leroy
and Camilla Heald was a spiritual as
we'll as a physical one. The two souls
became one at the moment of meeting.
A year after their marriage Camilla
died. Leroy laid away his earthly
partner with no great show of feeling
lie did not weep at her grave. To
him she had not been buried She had
not wholly departed from him. He
was denied material communication
with her, but there was spiritual
unity between them that could not be
broken.
One day Leroy was strolling about
tn his garden. He seemed to be talk
ing to his flowers, but he was COM
muning with the spirit Of his wife. A
man entered and hurried toward him.
"Sir," said the stranger, "I loved
woman whom, l have been told, you
married. Though she did not love me-
loved and stiA love her I am told
that she is dead. 1 desire to visit her
grave. Will you tell me where you
have buried herr"
II have not buried her."
The writer looked at Leroy wonder
ingly.
''That receptacle" continued Leroy,
that conveyance. that machine of
flesh which is intended to hold a soul
during a brief period of preparation
for superior existence. has been
buried. You will find it in the church
yard short distance up the road"
Having Giyen this information. Le-
Roy turned again to Ills flowers The
fact tina, another had loved his wife
did not seem either to interest or move
him. THIS indication that he was so
sure that his dead wife lad belonged
to him alone antagon:Zed the visitor
Had | rlet Camilla" said the latter
"a few months before you found her
the result might have been different"
No" said Leroy. 1T would not"
why arc YOU so sure of that?"
Because Camilla was destined for
perfect union. She could never have
accepted any other
There was something irritating to
the stranger in this complacent view
of LeRoy's with reference to the wO-
man who had refused the one and
mated with the other. While the wild
over remained unruffled, the discarded
lover waxed warm with smoldering
anger.
Your love for her was human" he
said You possessed her in the flesh.
Now she is mine. Some day will go
to her."
Many are going. but who shall meet
IN the infinite we cannot know while
here"
'In the infinite there is no marriage
Camilla will be TO Ele at least as much
as she will Ie to You"
she will not be to you what she has
bcea to me-"
This reference TO the fact that the
woman lie had loved had been iii thu
flesh possessed by his rival caused The
stranger to lose his el:aaimity.
"You lie." he SAID
Leroy stopped 10 pick II flower,
Did you hear me-" said the other
angrily. Il say You lie"
IF you wish to quarrel with me"
said Leroy. rising and at the same
time inhaiing the perfume Of the flow
er he had plucked. you Will have to
ne no quarrel III which the dead is con
r..rned."
The man stood looking IT Leroy l..
sort of confused wonder This last
word shamed him.
Pardon" lie said. Il have not been
used to living in this world wherein
you live. am mortal; YOU seem to
have placed your foot on the threshold
of the infinite
II have not placed it there; she is
drawing me- She is the magnet. l the
needle Where she Is there ! point"
Il heg that yen will eXcrse this I'M
warranted irtruSiolI: il was not intend
ed as such when i came here"
"For~i"o ny want OF attention TO
your Wish Gene; Will show you
the grave"
The two walked i'll silence TO the
churchyaril. and Leroy led the way
among The tnmhs. some Of pure. fresh
hcvn a:arH'r. Oghers cruEb:iug and