n was more
than she could possibly bear. According to her, there was no good reason
why I could not give up my undertaking, to please her. She had
everything in the world to make me happy and was willing to give me
anything within her power, if I would only relinquish my purpose and
promise never to think of it again. She told me that she was wealthy,
that she had millions in her own name, and that her father and uncles
were multi-millionaires, to whose wealth she would be the sole heir. She
said that if I would promise to quit the work I was engaged in, that she
would give me her hand in marriage, and also deposit in the bank to my
credit one million dollars on the following day as a dowry, with which I
could do as I pleased. She was serious and, apparently in earnest, and I
did not doubt one word of what she said as being the truth. So I was
placed in the position of choosing between great wealth, the woman I
loved, and all other earthly pleasures on the one hand, and a duty which
I had solemnly sworn to perform, on the other. It was a trying
situation, to say the least. With bowed head I sat and considered all
phases of the matter, with much earnestness and equal indecision. To
think that Arletta would leave me forever was to feel that my heart was
being torn from its fastenings. To have her as my wife, this alone
seemed to be the very greatest happiness that life could afford, and
mayhap, the promise of a million dollars was not without its allurement.
A position in the very best society of the country also loomed before my
vision, as I considered these things. On the other hand, if I refused, I
could look forward to a life of poverty, hard work, and the abuse of my
fellow beings. The temptation was a trying one, and it seemed impossible
for me to refuse Arletta's offering. As I raised my head and looked into
her beautiful eyes, which expressed great love, and tenderness, and
expectation, I felt that I could not say no to her. It seemed as if I
had been placed between honor and temptation, and was about to fall into
the arms of the latter. I hesitated a moment, undecided as to what to
do, when something within me distinctly said: "Be a man. Give up all
earthly pleasures during this life and teach Natural Law, according to
your promise." Then once again the wise words of the great Sagewoman
passed through my mind:

"Always consult your soul for advice.

"Do no act your conscience will not sanction."

Instantly ari