The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1919-08-14
The Turning
3, JACK LAYTON
Copyright. 1919. b Western N.w.pap,r U.,ee.

Down the long white road, came the
new minister's cutter. It's bells jim
gled merrily, and the minister awak-
ened from a study by the sight Of two
branching paths. pulled up his horse,
trying to recollect which Of the two
led to Cuttings Corners.
He had listened absently, during his
u%nappetizing dinner, while the farm.
er's wife had tiresomely directed him T:
"Down Pine Hill to Burdens Cross.
ing, then turn" which way?- to
Cuttings Corners"
Paul Hyland could not remember;
and there was no sign post to give in
formation. It wal all so different from
what he in his enthusiastic zeal had
planned. This first humble charge
which even his ability found difficulty
in fulflling-the stuffy boarding place,
the village church with its weary old
members. And now the added charge
of afternoon service at Cuttings Cor
ners. He was, in fact, in no sense the
man for the place. One older in expe-
rience could better understand these
peoples unchanging needs.
He, in his youth, was fred with the
desire for building work, Paul wanted
to see things grow about him. He want
ed eager faces among the resigned ones
in the pews; young CHEEKY voices. in
place Of hushed and trembling ones in
the choir. His innovations were frown-
ed upon. Paul was not sure that his
people looked upon him with respect.
His two college chums wrote joyous
ly Of their happy fields Of neat par
sonages, where young devoted wives
assisted in their labors. Paul had
been too absorbed to devote time to
forming attachment. He had wondered
while at college at his friends divided
interests. Now they had passed
him upon the road to success. He was
as much alone and apart in the world
as he seemed now, %hesitating between
two pathways in the midst Of the white
expanse.
With a momentary return Of boyish
daring he laughed, turning swiftly to
the right; he would take a chance.
II after a reasonable time, no church
structure appeared, he would reverse
his way and try the other road. An
impatient waiting congregation would
be but another evidence of his insult
ability for this position.
But far down the desolate way, his
anxious gaze searched out a white
church tower. There were lights in
the windows, shining a welcome. The
young mans spirits arose involun-
tarily. He was hummong a tune, as
he drove the horse around to the ada
cent farm. Then Paul entered the edi-
fee. 1t was larger than he had
thought, and more inviting than the
church where his regular services were
held. But he was earlier than he had
anticipated. Except for a girls figure
lowering about the pulpit, the room
was empty.
He saw in the bright light that she
was grouping flowers about the pulpit,
blooming plants which showed loving
care. And the girl was humming, too,
a bright little song that echoed in ones
heart.
Paul came forward, bowling as he
removed hat and cloak.
II am the new pastor" he said to
the girl, ARE we earlyY"
AS she turned and surveyed him,
Paul caught his breath. She was such
a lovely girl; her face sweetly appeal
Ing, as he had always dreamed one
woman's face might be, when he
should meet her. And there, with the
flowers in her arms and her clear eyes
upon him, Paul realized wonderingly,
yet with quick assurance, that this
was the one woman, whom he had met
at last.
Il thought" she replied that you
were not to come until four o'clock,
though the people will assemble before
then. l." she explained, Jam a trus-
tees daughter. I've been trying to
make the place look homelike for YOU"
With the bell tolling its message
overhead, the two sat together in an
oaken pew, talking as young people
will talk whose aims and aspirations
are the same. And when Paul gave
his message that day, it found an IN
swer in the eager faces appraised to
his.
The trustee paused perplexedly when
he came to him afterward.
"Your name is Paul Hyland," he
said. Yet, ayland. is the name of q
young minister over at Pine Hill, while
we were told to expect an older man
named billiard"
Then all at once the Joyous light
left the young preachers eyes. II see,"
he said, that my being here IL q
mistake. must have taken the o
turn at the crossing"
The trustee grasped the young mans
hand.
"Your presence here is certainly not
a mistake" he said. We need some.
one, just like you. Perhaps that was
the right turn after all. We will see