Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-31
CHAPTER vi (Continuedl

CHAPTER vi. (Continued)
Most of the evening was spent IN
song, David standing in the mario"
doorway between the two rooms, nod
ding this way, nodding that, in futile
effort to keep semblance OF time
among tho boisterous worshipers. A
short reading from the bible, very
brief prayer, shorts. Conversations
story talk from David, and the meet
ing broke up in wild clamor.
Then back through the driving snow
thew made their way. considering the
evening we'll worth all the exertlon II
had required.
Once inside the coZy manse, DAVID
and Carol hastily changed into warm
dressing gowns and slippers and
lounged lazily before the big-f1replace,
sipping hot coffee, and talking, always
talking Of the work-what must be
done tomorrow. what could be ar
ranged for Sunday, the young people )
meeting, the primary department. the
mission study class.
And Carol brought out the big bottle
and administered the designated tea
spoonful.
"For YOU must quit coughing, DAY.
3D." she said. "You ruined two GOOD
points last Sunday by clearing your
throat in the middle OF a phrase. Ana
It isn't so easy making points as that.
AREN'T you tired of hearing me
preach, Carol? We've been married a
whole year now. Aren't you findlng
nv sermons monotonous
David" she said earnestly, resting
her head against his shoulder, partly
for WEAKNESS, partly for the pleasure
Of feeling the rise and fall OF his
breast-"when you go up into the pull
nit YOU look so white and good, like
an apostle, or a good angel, it almost
frightens ME. I think, oh, no, he isn't
NV husband, not really-he is just
good angel God sent to keep me out
OF mischief And while you are
preaching 1 never think, He is mine
I always think, He Is Gods
Tears came into her eyes as she
spoke. and David drew her close IN
his arms.
Go you, sweetheart II seems ter
rible thing to stand up there BEFORE
houseful Of people, most OF them
good, and clean, and full of faith, ana
try to direct their steps in the broader
road. ! sometimes feel that men are
not fit fora it. There ought to be an
gels from heaven
"But there are angels from heaven
watching over them, David, guiding
them, showing them how. I believe
good white angels are guiding every
true minister-not the bad ones On,
know a lot about ministers, honey
proud, ambitious, selfish, vainglorlous.
a
,Ilen-but there are others, true ones
you, David, and some more. Iney
1ust have to grow together until har-
vest and then the false ones Will be-
dug up and dumped in the garbage.
For a while they were silent.
Finally he asked, smiling little.
Are you getting cramped. Carol? Are
you getting narrow, and settling down
10 rut? Have you lost your enthusl.
lsm and your sparkle?"
Carol laughed at him. David, do
you remember the first night we were
married, when we knelt down togeth-
er to say our prayers and you put your
arm around my shoulder. and we
prayed there side by side? Dearest,
that one little fifteen minutes Of con.
fidence and humility and heart-gra:i-
tude was worth all the sparkle and
fire in the. world. But have i lost 1t?
Seems to me am as much shouting
Methodist as ever"
David laughed. coughing little. and
Carol hustled him off to bed. sure he
was catching brand new cold, and
berating herself roundly for allowing
this foolish angel of hers to get chill
right on her very hands.