ht, "Why is this so?" Why could not the same
attractive power which exists between some couples when they are married
be continued? Charles Herne did not know, his wife Clara Herne was no
wiser than he on that subject, though neither of them had made their
feelings known to the other.

CHAPTER XV.

A CONVERSATION ON THE PORCH.

Penloe had heard several times in regard to Charles Herne being an
exceptionally fine man, liberal in thoughts, as far as he went, very
just and generous to his men, so that the day that Penloe received a
very kind invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Herne to be their guest for a few
days, he accepted it knowing intuitively that he had a work to do there.
As a guest Penloe was not always talkative, but what he did say was very
interesting. He made himself one with men and they all took a great
liking to him; Mr. and Mrs. Herne were very much impressed with the
personality of their distinguished guest, and they enjoyed his visit
with them. He had been several times there since his first visit, and
they had become great friends.

Charles Herne remarked to his wife one day: "What a genial, sociable,
humorous companion Penloe is; while of course, he is thoroughly in
earnest and has but one purpose in all he does, which is to manifest
what he calls the Divine, yet he is not serious, sober, and grave all
the time; he is so joyous, hopeful, and full of good-natured fun, but he
never lets it overcome him. I like him because he never says and does
anything for effect or to be considered smart; he is so simple, humble,
and unassuming in his manners, keeping himself in the background. His
influence on me is so different to that of any other man, and impresses
me very deeply. I always feel a better man after a talk with him. In
short, I feel his fine influence in the room even when he is silent. He
gave the men a powerful talk in their parlors the other evening. He has
a faculty for adapting himself to each one; just knows what to say, when
to say it, and how to say it. Several of the men have made the remark
to me that he is a very dear brother to them."

He had visited the men several times since, and they had become great
friends. Any one in a very short acquaintance with Penloe could not help
being impressed with his sincerity of character, his genuineness and
honesty of purpose, as well as his deep spirituality. Therefore, it
naturally follows that he would attract the confidence of his friends.