The Morning herald., 1876-12-20
CORD hND CREESB.
CHAPTER XIII:
THE BADINAGE OF OLD FRIENDS.

Mrs. Thornton said nothing for mo-
ment.
"By.the-way, I've been reading such a
nice book" she resumed. "lt has just
come out, and is making sensation. 1t
would suit you, l know"
"What is it?'
She rose and lifted book from the ta-
ble which she handed to him. He took it,
and read the title out loud.
"Christian's Cross"
A strange expression passed over his
face. He looked at her, holding the book
out at arm's-length with feigned conster-
nation.
"And do you have the heart to recon.
mend this book to me, Mrs. Thornton?'
"Why not?"
"Why, it's religious. Religious books
are my terror. How could l possibly open
book like this ?"
She laughed.
"You are Mistaken" she said. "It is
an ordinary novel, and for the sake of your
peace Of mind l assure you that there is
mott particle of religion in it. But why
should you look with such repugnance
upon it? The expression Of your face is
simply horror"
"Pietistic books have been the bane of
my life. The emotional, the rhapsodical,
the meditative style of book, in which one
garrulously addresses ones soul from be-
ginning to end, is simply torture to me.
You see religion is a different thing. The
rhapsody may do for the Tabernacle peo-
pie, but thoughtful men and women need
something different"
Il AIN so delighted to hear such senti-
ments from clergyman They entirely
accord with my own. Still | must own
that your horror struck me as novel, to say
the least of it,"
Would you like me to try to prosely-
tie you ?'
You may try if you wish. I am open
to conviction; but the Church Of all the
ages the Apostolic, the Catholic, has a
strong hold on me-"
You need not fear that l will ever try
to loosen it. l only wish that | may see
your face in Trinity Church every Sunday"
That happiness shall be yours, an
swered Mrs. Thornton. 'As there is no
Catholic churh here, l will give you the
Aonor Of my presence at Trinity
If that Is the case it will be place OF
worship to me-"
lie smiled away the extravaganza Of
thls last remark, and she only shook her
That is compliment, but it is awfully
profane"
;, mot profanity; say rather justi6able
Really, l feel overcome; 1 do not know
what to say. At any rate. l hope you
Will like the book; know you will find it
pleasant"
Any thing that comes from yon could
not be otherwise" said Despard. AT the
same time it is not my habit to read novels
singly."
them?
u always read several at time"
Mrs. Thornton laughed at the whimsi-
cal idea.
you see," said Despard, lone must
Keep up with the literature of the day. l
used to read each book az it came out, but
at last found safety. The best novel pals.
For my own comfort l had to invent a
new plan to stimulate my interest. l will
'ell you about it. l take ten at a time,
spread them on the table in front of me,
and read each chapter in succession"
Isn't that little confi,sing"
~, Not at ALL" said Despard, gravely.
Practice enables one to keep all distant"
But what is the good Of it?'
This" replied Despard; 'you see in
each novel there are certain situations.
rerhaps on an average there may be forty
each. Interesting characters also may
average ten each. Thrilling scenes twenty
each. Overwhelming catastrophes fifteen
esch. Now by reading novels singly the
eaect Of all this is weakened, for you only
nave the work Of each in its divided, iso-
,a'ed state, but where you read according
20 my plan you have the aggregate Of all
these effects in one combined--that is to
say, in ten books which j read at, once 4
ahaYe two hundred thrilling scenes, ode
aa aaaffdred f and Ahy oyssyA AelMiag sissek