Read Ebook: Deep Waters; Or A Strange Story by Crozier R H Robert Hoskins

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Ebook has 1712 lines and 70608 words, and 35 pages

"True enough: but sometimes, and in some cases, we fear the termination."

"Please do not speak in riddles, Mr. Hillston. Is not the prospect flattering?"

"In one sense, yes. So far as material prosperity is concerned, I can see no possible objection. But money, my dear Ernest, does not always bring happiness."

"Do you suppose I am base enough to marry for money?" interrupted Ernest with an angry flush.

"No, no," hastily answered Mr. Hillston. "I have a better opinion of you than that. But the world judges of marriages by outward circumstances. If both parties start out in life with great wealth, people generally think they are happy matches. But there are other things to be considered in a woman besides wealth, beauty and external accomplishments. A good, solid moral character is of far more value than a great fortune. A woman's character is the first thing to be considered. Sometimes young people hurry into marriage without ever pausing to ascertain whether there may not be incompatibilities and incongruities that will forever exclude happiness from their abode. Now, my dear boy, have you thought of all this?"

"Certainly I have," replied Ernest, impatiently. "Do you mean to insinuate that Miss Vanclure is destitute of moral worth?"

"I did not say that. I only asked if you had thought about, as I should have said, the dissimilarity of your characters." But, noticing Ernest's expression of dissatisfaction, "I have not intimated that Miss Clara is morally deficient. I would only advise you to be cautious. In such matters, young people should 'make haste slowly.' However, I do not presume to give you advice on this subject. Every man must choose to suit himself."

"The choice I have made," said Ernest quickly, "suits me."

"Then there is nothing more to be said," replied Mr. Hillston coolly.

"But you do not seem to like it."

"That has nothing to do with it. It is your affair, and if you are pleased, no one else has the right to say a word."

"Mr. Hillston," said Ernest, suddenly lowering his voice from the high key of self-sufficiency and independence to a subdued tone, "you have been a father to me, and you know I have been guided by you. I have confidence in your judgment; and now if you see me about to commit an error, one that may wreck my happiness, ought not common charity, to say nothing of the relation you sustain to me, induce you to kindly point out my mistake? I can see clearly that you are not pleased at my prospective marriage. Now tell me plainly what is the matter?"

"My dear Ernest," said the old man, with the tenderness of a parent, "you know that I have ever treated you as one of my own children, and have ever consulted your interest. I would not hesitate to give you advice in this important matter if I knew how. I will only say this, if you will take no offence--"

"No, no," interrupted Ernest eagerly, "I will not. Go on, say what you please."

"Well, then, I fear that the great dissimilarity between your characters may prove a source of annoyance, if not trouble. You are grave and serious in your disposition, while Miss Clara is the very opposite."

"That may be true," replied Ernest, "but might not this very dissimilarity be an advantage to both of us?"

"It might, and then it might not. At any rate, therein lies the danger I apprehend. You ought to pray to God to direct you in so serious a business as this."

"But I am not a churchman, Mr. Hillston."

"You cannot regard God then as your friend?"

"O yes, I suppose He is; but I do not know that God would concern Himself with so small an affair as my marriage."

"What! if God takes note of the flight of the sparrow, and the flower of the field, think you He will totally overlook the welfare of His intelligent creatures? Do you not believe the Lord has something to do with everything that happens?"

"I do not know, sir. I am no Presbyterian. I understand they hold to some such doctrine as that. But I have never had any special liking for that denomination."

"Neither am I a Presbyterian. I am a Baptist, as you know. But do you suppose that Presbyterians are the only people who advocate the doctrine of special providence?"

"I do not know that they are, but from all that I can learn, they push it to extremes."

"I believe it," said Mr. Hillston, emphatically, "as firmly as any Presbyterian I ever saw, and I believe it to its fullest extent, and in all its bearings. I am not willing that the Presbyterians shall claim as a distinctive dogma of theirs a doctrine to which the Baptist Church holds with as much tenacity as they do."

"Do you believe, then, that God would concern Himself with so small a matter as the marriage of two human beings?"

"I certainty do."

"Do you believe, then, that God is a matchmaker?" asked Ernest, with a laugh.

"I believe God will direct His people in all their affairs, when they ask Him in faith."

"But suppose I am not one of His people?"

"If you are not," said Mr. Hillston, with deep solemnity, "I am very sorry for you. It is your own fault, if you are not."

"Would it be of any avail for me to ask God's direction, when I am not one of His people, as you call them?"

"Not if you are determined to go on in your sins. If you make a full surrender of yourself to Him, I have no doubt He will assist and guide you. However, in that case you would be one of His people. But how could you expect God's favor and friendship, if you stand to Him in the relation of an enemy?"

"I do not know," answered Ernest thoughtfully, and then after a moment he added, "I suppose I will have to look out for myself."

"I dislike to hear you talk that way, my dear boy," said Mr. Hillston kindly, "for if you proclaim your independence of the Divine Being, you will lead a most wretched life."

"I did not mean that in any spirit of irreverence," quickly answered Ernest. "All I meant was that, if I was not one of God's people, I would have to take care of myself. I have the utmost respect for the Christian religion. My conduct, as you know, has proved that I have."

"Yes, I know you are a moralist, and you may be one of God's children, notwithstanding the fact that you are living in sin."

"I do not understand you," said Ernest.

"I know you do not, but the time may come when you will. I will pray God to direct you, since you cannot do so for yourself. His will, no doubt, will be accomplished. You have not married Clara yet, and perhaps you may never do so."

"But I rather think I will," said Ernest with considerable energy.

"My boy, do not speak so positively. If God does not intend that it shall be so, you will never marry her."

"I should like to know what is to prevent it?"

"I know not. But remember, 'Man proposes, but God disposes.' You cannot overcome your Maker."

"I do not propose to enter into any contest with God; because I do not think He cares whether I do this thing or that thing. Therefore I repeat that I will marry Clara."

"When it happens," said Mr. Hillston, smiling, "we will talk more about it. Do not be too confident, my boy."

Ernest went to his office, wondering what in the world the old preacher could mean. Did he intend to predict that the "consummation to be devoutly wished," at least by himself, would, at last, prove only an idle dream? What would be the use, he thought, of asking God to direct him in so simple an affair as a marriage? Besides, it was too late now. Like Caesar, he had crossed the Rubicon, and he must go on. He loved Clara with all his heart--why, then, should he not fulfill his engagement? He would do it.

Alas! how short-sighted is man? How quickly are his deep-laid schemes, his skillfully-concocted plans, suddenly overthrown by some unforseen circumstance which had never entered as a factor into his calculations? Man is frequently standing on the very verge of a volcano, and knows it not till the soil crumbles beneath his feet.

FOOTNOTE:

A paleness rests on her face, leanness in the whole body, Never looks direct; her teeth are black with rust: Her breast green with gall; her tongue is dripping with venom.

A GREAT CHANGE.

Perhaps no event was so little expected as that which seemed to change the current of Ernest's destiny, a few weeks antecedent to his contemplated marriage. Not to delay with moralizing, an Evangelist by the name of Coyt made his advent into the quiet town where Ernest lived, on the invitation of the Presbyterian church. Great expectations had been formed by many of the more pious brethren, who had read accounts of Dr. Coyt's wonderful success at other places. His services were eagerly desired and sought all over the country.

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