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Around the World in 88 Years -E Book - Arthur Burt

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I had arranged my own deliverance, but someth<strong>in</strong>g amaz<strong>in</strong>g happened.Marion Simmons’ shop <strong>in</strong> Lancashire closed and <strong>the</strong> governmentconscripted her to work <strong>in</strong> a hospital, send<strong>in</strong>g her all <strong>the</strong>way from Lancashire, pass<strong>in</strong>g by hundreds of hospitals, and assign<strong>in</strong>gher to one that was located three miles away from whereI lived. Mrs. Fentiman opened her home to her, and now everynight <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> services, I was star<strong>in</strong>g at this woman whom I hadtried to break from.I did all I could to avoid her. I never claimed to be <strong>in</strong> love withMarion, but she was completely prepared to give herself to me. Istruggled and struggled; her eyes would follow me, and we wouldbump <strong>in</strong>to one ano<strong>the</strong>r. Yet <strong>the</strong>re had been noth<strong>in</strong>g physicallybetween us. I struggled with a volcanic pressure burn<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>sideme, until one day I confronted her.“Look,” I said. “I must talk to you. This th<strong>in</strong>g has to stop betweenyou and me.” Noth<strong>in</strong>g had ever happened between us, and hereI am say<strong>in</strong>g it had to stop. “Will you meet me this afternoon at2:00?” If I had asked her to meet me at 2:00 <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g shewould have met me.We walked along a country road and I discussed <strong>in</strong> my superspiritualway how we would completely destroy this attractionwhich we both agreed was wrong and dishonor<strong>in</strong>g to God. Whilewe were walk<strong>in</strong>g along <strong>the</strong> road discuss<strong>in</strong>g it, thunderclouds blewover us and before long, <strong>the</strong> storm hit. The thunder rolled, lighten<strong>in</strong>gflashed, and <strong>the</strong> ra<strong>in</strong> came down <strong>in</strong> sheets. We could seeno place to run for cover <strong>in</strong> any direction except a farmer’s hayshed across <strong>the</strong> field, so we took refuge <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong>re.We had come for a walk to discuss how <strong>the</strong> th<strong>in</strong>g would f<strong>in</strong>ish,but that was where it started — that was <strong>the</strong> first time I everkissed her or embraced her. For several years, I was <strong>in</strong>volvedwith Marion Simmons; although, dur<strong>in</strong>g that time, I did not go“all <strong>the</strong> way” with her. Later, I would come to despise myself forbe<strong>in</strong>g so dishonest, so wrong, so s<strong>in</strong>ful, and so wicked. Even thoughI had noth<strong>in</strong>g to offer her because I knew God had jo<strong>in</strong>ed me toMarj, I trifled with that girl’s affections. I could go home to mywife, but she went back to noth<strong>in</strong>g. Although I never made anypromises to her, I kept her dangl<strong>in</strong>g, know<strong>in</strong>g she believed Marjwould die, and <strong>the</strong>n we would be toge<strong>the</strong>r.74

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