The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1917-04-13

WIN WITH INFINITE DELICACY.
was as his secret adversary that be-
took myself a second time to DENLY.
It was the decision to tell Lucy the
whole truth about the matter which
first brought us into real harmony. So
must bless this wrong headed rascal
even while condemn him.
As Easter approached, the condition
Of Mr.. Butterfield's mind seemed to
grow worse. He formed the habit Of
taking long walks In the evening and
Of rising at an unreasonable hour In
the morning. Lucy wrote me that he
would certainly break down, and upon
the Friday before Easter 1 received a
very urgent letter from her begging
me to be with them on Sunday.
l could not get away In time for
Saturday afternoons train, and / tele-
graphed Lucy that it would be impos-
sible for me to come. At the last mo-
ment, however, l decided to risk the
roads In my automobile, and as a re-
suit I left the car In farmers barn
twenty miles from DENLY and reached
that place in the farmers wagon about
IL o'clock Sunday forenoon.
The sermon had begun in Mr.. Butter
fields church when / crept in and took
the most inconspicuous seat. No one
noticed me. My first glance revealed
to me that the congregation was excep-
tionally intent upon the discourse.
There was thrill in the air that
alarmed me at first, and then l per-
ceived the flavor of keen enjoyment.
That reverent assemblage was wor-
Shipping with fervor, and at the same
time it was tasting an exquisite pleas
ure Nothing else so delights q New
England gathering as a discourse which
has message that Is not I'm the words,
yet Is clear to all; something which is
perceived, but not heard; understood
without statement, appealing to the
long cherished secret opinions of the
hearers, fulfilling a task which each
has striven with on his own account.
The Rev. Mr.. Butterfield was answer
ing Kerwin with infinite delicacy, with
| out the faintest personal reference or
recognizable quotation. yet all present
| understood. They knew also I'm what
way the two men who for years had
| held aloof had at last been brought to-
gether 1t looked like fate. Otherwise
Mr.. Butterfield might soon have passed
to his reward and never have done this
work which was his to do in that COM
munity. He had needed personal expe-
rience Of Kerwin's method Of attack,
the personal pain of finding no answer,
the Joy of final perception that all those
arguments are really beside the issue
and that realities Of spiritual things
cannot be attacked by testimony of
those who have not seen them because
they have studiously looked the other
way.
1t was the absolute end Of Kerwin's
reputation as spiritual adviser" In
that town, and everybody felt 1t to be
so. But the strangest part of 1t was
that Kerwin took the thrust so well.
He positively enjoyed It,
"The venerable villainr' said he,
meeting me after the service. "He has
undermined my faith. And at my age
too! It's rascally piece Of business"
Doubtless he felt his defeat keenly
enough, though he made a jest Of It In
such terms. Indeed, to those who knew
the man It was a measure Of his cha
grin that he should labor so consciep-
tlously thereafter to safeguard and in
crease Mr. Butterfeld's small fortune.
IL became a passion with him. and his
success was the wonder of all DENLY.