hen
the union belongs to the higher plane. But the highest plane of all is
where the two, at the time of marriage, consecrate themselves to each
other and to the service of the Lord in His humanity, keeping their
bodies, as the temples of God, pure and sacred; where both live above
all lustful desires for each other, keeping the life forces for making
the mind and body strong, and fitting themselves to be instruments of
the Divine. Such a union brings the highest bliss to each of them, and
the greater good to the world at large. They do not require children to
make them happy, for their life is in the Divine One. They fully realize
that in Him they live, move, breathe, and have their being, and they
forego for themselves the pleasures of parentage in order to become a
spiritual father and a spiritual mother to the many."

Mrs. Herne gave Penloe her hand, and said: "I sincerely thank you for
the light you have this day given me."

That evening Clara Herne told her husband Penloe's ideas on the marriage
relationship. After listening very closely to all she said, Mr. Herne
sat thinking for a while, then said: "Clara, for a long time I have been
reflecting on that subject, and it perplexed me much, but now that
Penloe has made it so very clear, it seems like so many other things
which are hard to find out and understand, but when explained by a
master mind like Penloe, appear simple.

"Clara, can you estimate what a great gift Penloe gave you in imparting
those very important truths? and the knowledge he gave you, he knew you
would tell me; therefore, I feel he has given us both a precious gift,
more than if we had received a present of five thousand dollars. We
cannot prize such a dear friend too highly."

They had an hour's very agreeable talk on the matter, and they were both
of one mind, and decided that there and then they would live the new
way; and they both sealed their sacred vow with a pure love kiss.

CHAPTER XVI.

TIESTAN.

A few days after Stella had returned home from her visit to her aunt in
Roseland, she and her mother went to call on Penloe; for Mrs.
Wheelwright was as anxious to see such an original man, as Stella was to
set her eyes on a face that had such a beautiful expression.

As we have said, Penloe was living all alone, his mother's work being
for the present in Chicago.

When Penloe came to the door he received Stella in such an agreeable way
as to make her feel perfectly at ease