Mrs Flint's Married Experience.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 441, 29 September 1904, Page 2

Mrs Flint's Married Experience.

By BOSE TERBY COOKE.

Vlll—(Continued ) Perhaps something in the self-respecting honest humility of thie document touched the heart of Bassett church, or periiaps only their selMove and pride of place was 'soothed by it. Be that S3 it may, the confession was accepted, and Parson .Roberts, with a valor and persistence that did him honor, insisted that Deacon Flint should go with him to inform his wife of her release from interdict, and also to open that' Door' of reconciliation to which she had so pathetically alluded. The parson's wig was fresh buckled, the deacon's queue new wound and tied, and their Sabbath-day garments prim and epeckless, as the next moraing they opened the door of the old house where Sarepta Flint had taken refuge from her oppressor. A seeae they little expected met their eyes. On the low bed, covered with its rough bluo homespun spread, iay an evidently dying figure. A more ' Solemn Vocation' than life had called Deacon Flint's wife, and she w&b about to obey. Mindwell and Sara Pratt upheld her as she gasped for breath, and the two children clang together bobbing at her feet, while Msbal, with Joe Pratt's arm abont her, and her face streaming with tearß she did not feel, Btood by her bedside g»zing at her friend. Her face blazed as the deacon and Parson Egberts entered; but roused by the click of the latch, Mrs Flint opened her eyes and looked at the youthful pair with a gentle smile i they had been the one bright outlook of her later life, and to them she gave her last smile; for as her eyes tamed toward her husband a cold terror filled them, the lids fell, her head drooped ca Mindwell's shoulder, and with o-».e long shuddering sigh she escaped forever. The forgiveness of the church and the condescension of her husband came too late: she wsb already safe where the wicked cbase from troubling, and the Consoler dries all mortal tears. Deacon Flint stood like a stone, Did remorse trouble him P Waß regret busy at his heart P Or did he feel a bitter and deep chagrin at the loss of so much income P Mabel's tears ceased; she withdrew from Joe's Arm, and went round to where Deacon Flint Btood. 'Are you proper pleased now ?' she said, in a low voice of concentred contempt and rage. « You've got her turned out; of church, and into heaven. You won't never see her again—no, never I not to all oterniiy j bac you've killed her as good aa if yon took an axe to her. You can take that hum to sleep on' • Hußh! ? said Parson Boberts, with all the dignity a little man could give to his voice maimer. 'When the Lord giveth quietness, who then can make trouble P' Bat even as he spoke, Joe Pratt, his face fall of black wcaib, set his hand to the deacon's collar, and walked him summarily into the road. Mabel had spoken trush: never again did he see hia wife's face, not ev6n in the fair peace of de*th. Whether ever in that far world of sonla they met again U, perhaps, doubtful; let us pray not. Mrs Flint's married experience was over in this world a hundred years ago, and in the nexS ' tuey neither marry nor are given in marriage.' [The End]