Venna Hastings

“ You've never sacrificed anything for anyone outside of Venna Hastings or Venna Hadly, have you? Now, dear, you have an unselfish nature. I know that,—but you've never used it. You have just received, received, received. Now just change your position in the bank and be paying teller for awhile."
"I suppose," Venna said reflectively, "if I had gone on with my settlement work, it would have helped."
"It wouldn't at all," exclaimed Anna, decisively. "The way we society women take up settlement work doesn't require any particular sacrifice. ”

“ He paused for a moment, but Venna made no remark. She was earnestly listening to his every word.
"Now, my dear," he continued more confidently, "you have, of course, always been sheltered so by your father, that you are ignorant of life in many respects. Please don't think your husband a monstrosity. I'm no better than the next man—no worse, either. I've lived in the world, seen all sides of it, too, but that is why I am all the more able to appreciate a girl like you—by contrast, you know, dear." ”

“ But deeper than this light attraction was the real human throb of the great city's throng, hurrying to and fro, some laughing, some anxious, some with a self-important strut of achieved success, others with the dogged defiance of failure and chagrin.
"The Great White Way! Was there ever anything so interesting?" thought Venna, appreciating with her bright mind the appealing contrasts. As yet she was too young to be saddened by the undercurrent of human longing and unrest.
Suddenly Venna exclaimed, "Listen, Daddy! There's a bunch singing hymns on the next comer. How great that sounds!" ”

“ It seemed an impossible joy laid at Emily Hastings' feet.
"If only your dear father could know!" she exclaimed, looking young in her new happiness.
"He does," returned Venna softly. "He knows all that happens to us," she added with a sudden pang at the thought of her own trouble.
"But, dearie. Dr. Hansom wishes us to marry very soon—of course, it will be a very quiet wedding. Do you think it is too soon?"
"No," returned Venna, lovingly patting her aunt's cheek. "The sooner you are made happy the better. I shall certainly hurry you off!" ”

“ Anna smiled her approval at this remark and held out her chubby hand to be kissed.
"You're right," returned Venna, kissing the tiny fingers. "She's a little angel—all babes are. It's a repulsive thought to connect them with the sins of this world."
"Then it won't be hard for you to accept our doctrine of pre-existence," said Brother Hallock. "It is a beautiful revelation, given to us, I think, to inspire us to live up to our origin. We know that we are the spirit children of our heavenly Father and that we come to this world fresh from His loving care. ”

“ The servants are so delighted you're coming. They're hustling all day to make the home fit to receive their queen!"
When they reached the Fifth Avenue home, Venna entered with a strange, trembling fear. A new life was before her—a happy life, but one of sacrifice—and sacrifice was a new experience!
As they entered the door, the fragrance of roses greeted her. Everywhere flowers! Hadly had spared no expense to have the home filled with nature's best. ”

“ Hadly is my name," said Venna with simple dignity. "And yours?" she asked as they followed her upstairs.
"My name is Hallock. My companion is Brother Johnson," returned the older one.
Venna led them to the open door of a large airy room, the guest room, furnished daintily in blue and white.
The young men peered in. "Surely not for us?" said the younger. "We wouldn't like to disturb such daintiness."
"Go right in and make yourself at home. Daintiness is always refreshing when one is tired. I will give you just ten minutes to reappear!" and with her most winning smile, she left them. ”

“ CHAPTER IX. To be popular in the religious world today, one must smile upon any creed; believe nothing absolutely, and regard "Truth" as too delicate a thing to be handled.
The next day did bring a storm. It was just after lunch, and Venna was sitting in the living-room with the two preachers, earnestly discussing points of doctrine. Baby Anna sat in her high chair, happily surveying the party, as each one of whom gave her occasional amusement.
"Just think of a dear babe like that being considered a sinner," remarked Brother Johnson with a tender smile at Anna. ”

“ She would rather go out with Daddy than do anything else in the world.
In a few minutes they were in the brisk November air, John Hastings adjusting his usual quick pace to the shorter, slower step of his daughter.
With all her bright energy, Venna's walking seemed a contradiction. It was rather slow, very deliberate, and with a dignified bearing that was very attractive.
In the street, nothing ever escaped her notice. She would always prefer to walk rather than ride. She hated her limousine. Cosmopolitan New York was a constant delight, and a walk down Broadway a pleasurable habit. ”

“ Venna was reading the papers with intense interest when Brother Hallock called.
She had come to look for his frequent calls as a necessity. At last love had come into her life and Brother Hallock was her greatest joy. Together they constantly planned for the Church and Red Cross work.
"So it has come at last!" said Venna seriously.
"Yes, at last! America has tried to keep out of it; but we, too, must bear our share of the world's burden. I intend to do my part. Venna, I have news for you. ”

“ I see it now."
"It is always self with us girls until we are mothers. Venna, I never woke up myself until—O, can't you guess, Venna? I have a wonderful surprise for you!" And she hugged Venna impulsively.
"You don't mean," began Venna, disentangling herself.
"Yes, I do mean!" interrupted Anna. "I'm the happy mother of a bouncing girlie six months old! I kept it as a surprise. She's such a darling, Venna!"
"I'm so glad for you, Anna. It must be a wonderful happiness to be a mother," she added wistfully.
"There, dear! I'm going to show you how to mother the whole world! ”

“ Will you refuse God's?"
"But Anna tried faith?" returned Venna.
"Sometimes faith is so strong that it works even in error. But it is not God's way. God's commands are sure. If you do not believe we have His divine authority to heal, will you let us have permission to try?"
Venna looked into Brother Hallock's earnest gray eyes and felt the power of his convictions. ”

“ Venna patted the child's head.
"She'll be well taken care of—by the Red Cross."
"Will she?" asked the old woman eagerly. "That's a piece of comfort to know."
Venna felt she was lingering too long.
"I must be back to Noyon at a stated time, so I must not stay as long as I would like to," she said. "Come, tell me some things you need. You surely need something?"
"Everything," replied the woman hopelessly. "We need windows—it's so cold—every one is broken."
Venna's heart ached. Even her money could not buy glass here! ”

“ Soffy, taking in with delight the beauty and brightness of this new comer. "Every little while, some city people will wander out here and it is so refreshing to meet them."
"How strange!" said Venna, smiling. "I find the country people so refreshing. Such a bright, rosy, blue-eyed girl has just called. She seemed to bring a breath of spring with her."
"Yes? Oh, I've no doubt that was Bessie, a winsome Methodist girl. Pretty, isn't she? All the country boys are wild over her, but she declares she'll marry a city chap or none."
"She might do better right here," said Venna seriously. ”

“ Venna, if you ever love a man you think good enough for you, let me know and I'll slip out. You haven't the least conception of my love for you. You're so ignorant of the world. You think of those other women. They were nothing to me. I guess you're right about men not stooping to such actions, but there are two sides to every question, Venna. They tempt the young men. They deserve all they get. ”

“ Should I not be as patriotic as you? Women are needed badly. I am quite a Red Cross nurse now, you know."
"Yes, you're right," he answered seriously. "But I had never thought of you going. What a world of sacrifice we are now living in!"
"Let us try to hold our heads high and smile at adversity," she replied, smiling back at him.
"For God and America!" he added, taking her tenderly in his arms. "O Venna," he said, passionately, "what have I done to deserve such a woman as you! ”

“ CHAPTER XIII. The happiness derived from doing our duty is the greatest joy the world affords.
"How I miss Brother Hallock and Brother Johnson!" exclaimed Anna, as she and Venna settled down to a quiet afternoon with their sewing and books.
"Yes, we will all miss their influence—even babe," returned Venna, looking at little Anna playing on her pillow. ”

“ Hadly was constantly on the floor also. He was the most graceful dancer among the men. Though politely attentive to his partners, Venna felt his gaze constantly upon herself, and several times blushed as she met his ardent look of admiration.
She was quite surprised with herself to think that any man could make her so self-conscious. ”

“ Didn't our lecture satisfy you concerning them?"
"No man's lecture satisfies me concerning any sect," returned Hastings quietly.
"But it is not one man's opinion, Hastings. All Christendom is against them," urged Dr. Hansom.
Venna looked from one to the other, intently listening.
Her aunt flushed with mild annoyance. Surely John was spoiling Dr. Hansom's influence over Venna.
Hastings leaned back in his chair with an air of boredom.
"How all the sects do enjoy biting and snapping at any new thing in their midst. Why doesn't each one live and let live?" he asked quietly. ”

“ We will never forget you all, and when you return to New York, we will call, and I will introduce you to our Mission President's family and other saints. I know you will enjoy our meetings."
"I know I shall," returned Venna, happy in the thought. "I appreciate your religion more and more by contrasting it with others," she added.
"It will bear the light," replied Brother Hallock seriously. He looked at her intently a moment and then added, "No good thing needs to be hidden in the dark. Only evil fears the light." ”

“ Soffy, glancing at Venna, who was drinking in the beauty of the scene with a rapt expression. "How beautiful she is!"
"If human hearts were only as peaceful as nature!" remarked Venna quietly.
"You forget, Mrs. Hadly. To-night is wonderfully serene, to-morrow may bring a storm that will transform nature into wildness."
"That is very true," returned Venna. "After all, there is a great analogy between the spiritual and the material. I can see how the Christian Scientists can stretch the point and believe one is but the expression of the other. I wish I could accept all their doctrines. ”

“ A short, stout woman entered the room and held out a friendly hand to Venna as she came forward.
"I'm so glad to meet you, dear Mrs. Hadly," she said in a quiet, pleasant voice. "Brother Hallock wrote me that you might like to have one of our faith call upon you. I hope I'm not intruding?"
"No, indeed," returned Venna, feeling a quickening influence from this bright, motherly person.
"I'm Sister Maddon. My husband is president of the —— Company, so we have to live East now. I miss the West so much, but I'm thankful we have a conference of our people here. ”

“ Now we'll make the best of life and help one another.' You know, Venna dear, the average man is no better than Hadly. It wasn't his fault that you were brought up with your eyes shut, was it? Why hate him any more than any one else? Be fair, Venna. He has a right to be well thought of in other respects. ”

“ Looking around the old familiar room her eyes suddenly filled with tears.
"Every rose has its thorn, but let's forget the sting and think only of the joy of it all," replied Venna, bravely choking back a sob.
There is a time in every girl's life when she finds herself suddenly a woman. The time of this change from girlhood to womanhood is not marked by the marriage ceremony. ”

“ You'll forget what sadness is. You will go with us, won't you, dear?"
"Oh, how I would love to! Indeed I will!" exclaimed Venna, brightening. "God is good after all. He always finds us a way."
"Of course He's good, Venna, and gives us all Good. It is only our foolish mortal minds that imagine evil."
Venna did not understand what Anna meant, but she thanked God in her heart for sending her friend and with her the sunshine.
CHAPTER VI. Under the influence of spring, sunshine and flowers, our souls give birth to new thoughts, new ambitions.
The little village store in Ashfield was buzzing. ”

“ Soffy eyed Venna keenly as if to read her very soul.
"Are you a Christian Scientist?" he asked.
"Not exactly," replied Venna. "Mrs. Halloway is trying to make me one. I live by many of their principles. There is so much beauty in some of their ideas. But I must believe in the Personality of God. I can't see how they do away with it. When Stephen was being stoned to death, the heavens opened before him, and he saw the Christ sitting on the right hand of God. Now, if we believe in the inspiration of the Bible, how can we accept this vision without the belief in God's personality? ”

“ Anna took the letter and read:
"Dearest Venna:
"I'm in a strange mood tonight. I feel as though life had ended for me. I don't know why I should write to you since you have cast me off as worthless. But somehow I'm not myself. I'm weak stuff to write to one who despises me. But love makes a fool of a man anyway. The counterfeit of love ruins a man's youth, and then when the real thing comes along, it's just about as bad. No satisfaction in any of it! I'd be glad to finish myself tonight—but I love you too much to create a scandal. Are you so hard that you can't even write me a friendly word? ”