Oswald Langdon | Page 6

against the pitiless avarice
of the faithless rich. This or that conception of the redemptive economy,
or concerning the personnel of its central figure, may be tolerated, but

there can be no hopeful sign for him who actively or passively
oppresses God's 'little ones.'
"A story has been told of One whose weary, homeless head, often
envied hole of fox and nest of bird; 'despised and rejected,' yet making
autocratic claims to kingly prerogatives over an empire more limitless
than that of Cæsar Augustus; having in marked degree, a high-born
soul's characteristic indifference to personal affronts, yet terribly
indignant at slights to the poor; Who, standing with His imperial brow
bared in oriental sun, His right hand resting in benediction upon
curly-headed babe, the other thrilling with prophetic instinct of the
leftward gesture of 'Depart,' uttered this sentiment, Better a millstone
necklace and deep-sea grave than offense against the helpless.
"How heartless, for one reared in luxury, placed beyond the reach of
want, having refinements and accomplishments of intellectual drill,
leading a life of selfish ease, pampering every personal taste, while
millions of these needy wards lack common bread."
Names and sacrifices of noted philanthropists were eloquently
commented upon, and pathetic instances were narrated of noble women
who had spent their lives in this human ministry.
These appeals had awakened in Esther's mind a fixed resolve to devote
herself to some form of home missionary work. She fully had
determined to forego all associations and environments not conducive
to greatest usefulness in her chosen mission.
Trustingly waiting providential direction, Esther had returned from
London, doubting not that a life of contented service would unfold with
the years.
Thus panoplied with mail of self-consecration to an ideal, Esther
Randolph met and withstood the suit of Oswald Langdon.
Oswald never overtly exceeded the bounds of social propriety, nor
boorishly inflicted his presence upon Esther's attention. The high
constraints of native manliness and gentlemanly instinct precluded such

coarse tactics.
Esther's failure to appreciate this rare chance, and to acquiesce in her
lover's evident interest, resulted not from any strange apathy or dislike,
such as sometimes influences girlish choice. To her father she said: "I
see in Oswald's remarkable individuality much to admire. His refined,
magnetic enthusiasm is contagious, and at times most fascinating. His
delicately guarded, subtle compliments, yet earnest, sincere speech,
inter-* *est me greatly." It was but natural that the tender, wistful
courtesies and considerate deference of this masterful suitor should be
pleasing to Esther's womanly spirit. This high-principled girl, strong for
self-sacrifice upon the altar of duty, was intensely human. Oswald felt
this charm, and readily yielded to its power.
As Esther became sensitive of her interest in Oswald's future, she
became more conscientiously determined upon absolute dedication of
self to higher purposes than earthly pleasures.
Being perplexed at the strange girl's conduct, Oswald concluded to
learn its cause. His waking hours, while alone, were spent in framing
all sorts of delicately worded questions and comments about subjects
which he thought of interest to Esther, calculated to draw out this
hidden secret.
Unconscious of his craft, Esther's responses were void of light as
Egyptian sphinx.
Oswald became wildly curious as to this mystery. It occurred to him
that there might have been a case of early infatuation.
To his skillfully framed, delicately propounded questions about her past
life, Esther answered frankly, with happy enthusiasm, giving each glad
reminiscence.
Perhaps her aristocratic father had confided to Esther cherished plans
concerning proper social alliances, and this loyal daughter yielded to
the parental will.

Oswald's tactful delving unearthed no coercive "find" of restraining or
constraining parental influence designedly swaying Esther's choice
toward any fixed social status.
It was apparent that this girl felt toward her father a loving sense of
filial reverence. That Esther would defer to Sir Donald's unexpressed or
spoken will, Oswald doubted not.
There seemed to be such habitual interchange of parental and filial
regard, so much of loving care and trusting dependence between this
father and child, that Oswald knew in any emergency these would be
far more autocratic in power of high constraint than any dogmatic
assertions of authority or sentimental excesses.
Does she divine his purposes and evade the issue? Are any peculiar
English property entailments obstacles to his suit? Is this hateful barrier
some high family scheme of marital intrigue or establishment? These
and other less probable possible causes are canvassed by Oswald with
much tact and persistence.
Much of information derived by this resourceful inquisitor was not
through question or reply, but was elicited by adroitly worded opinions
upon remotely similar subjects adapted to time and occasion of their
utterance. Still the mystery deepened.
Oswald had been at Northfield for about three weeks, and was entirely
recovered from his injuries.
Though loth to leave this interesting home, he