The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-16

my love! we are comingto disagree
ment." ..... -,-....- ,....
"You are-you won't do anything to
crafty me-"
" Anything in reason, my dear"
OH if Pm unreasonable I've nothing
more to say"
She slid off the seat and stood erect on
the floor behind him. He turned round
and faced her with open-eyed surprise.
My dear! you know love you"
" am not sure. You will not give
me what l ask"
81 cannot"
"Then you do not love me-"
=" love you too well to crafty your
wish. 1t would be a serious mis-
take. | cannot change the whole man
ner of my life"
" Not even to please me-"
You are not generous"
Without word she turned away as if
to go downstairs into the church. ST.
lently he lit candle that stood near,
turned off the gas, and prepared to close
the organ. The dark church seemed
darker still. Gigantic shadows spread
over the walls His hands shook, and in
spite of himself his eyes grew misty and
dim.
She was perfectly familiar with the
place, and boldly went down the dark
stairs alone, with anger in her heart and
bitter tears in her eyes. She was thank
full that the darkness would hide them.
He followed her down the stairs, and,
not finding her in the church, went into
the vestibule. She was not there. She
must have gone out Blowing out his
candle, he opened the street door and
looked out. She was not in sight. Call
ing her by name in the vestibule and
church, and receiving no answer, he
went out and locked the door behind him.
Annoyed and much disturbed that he
could not find her, he walked on hastily
toward home. She had not been there,
and he hastily walked around the next
square to her fathers house. To his
surprise there was only one window
lighted and that was the drawing-room
window. He rang the bell, and a fright
ened servant put out her head and asked
who was there. Was heryoung mistress
not at home? No; she had not returned.
AT first he had been angry, now he was
alarmed. He returned to the church. A
watchman, as was his duty, had tried
the door, and was just coming down the
steps. Had he seen any young lady
about? No; young ladies were never
out alone so late. He must go into the
church and look for her. No; the watch
man would not allow it. In vain he pro-
tested that he was the Organist, and had
key, After some parley over it, the
Waterman consented, but said he should
wait outside.
Begging match, he entered the
church, found his candle, and with
trembling steps entered the great dark
church. 1t seemed cold and cherries,
What had become of her? Had she
tainted in the church? 1t had hardly
seemed possible. He went up the stairs,
held the candle over his head, looked
everywhere, called her name again and
again. Not sound in reply, save the
echo of his own voice. In despair he
walked up the wide aisles. Nothing
there. He went round to the side aisle,
and nearly cried out in terror. She lay
at full length upon the floor. The glare
of the pickering candle fell upon her
pale face, and with cry of anguish he
knelt by her side and felt her pulse.
Thank God! She was not dead. Set.
ting the candle in pew, he took her
gently up in his arms and, carrying her
to the chancel, laid her down on the step.
A pew-cushion made her more comfort
able, and with his handkerchief he
brought water from the baptismal font
and bathed her forehead. She sighed a
little, and he hastily procured the candle
and lighted one of the chancel lamps
He would call the Waterman and send
for carriage and help. As he started
to go she opened her eyes, recognized
him, smiled feebly and then closed them,
as if in pain.
What is it, love? Are you hurt?'
GA sprain-my foot. | heard you
coming on the stairs and hid myself,
but must have tainted. Take Off"
"Ah, yes, the shoe"
She put her hand over her mouth as he
unfastened her gaiter. The foot was
swollen, and she cried out in spite of her
self with the pain.
We mus get you home at once. l
will call a carriage"
"No-no-it will be better soon. Battle
it, please, dear" t
He drew off her stocking and prepared
to battle her in jured foot. His touch
was like woman's. The water from the
cold marble font seemed to relieve her.
She sat up and leaned against the chan
Gel rail and watched him in silence. Pres
emily she said:
How strong you are, and so kind.
What should have done if you had not
returned? | recovered once in the dark
before you came. At first thought was
| dead-then-the pain reminded me, and
then-that is all remembered Strange,
wasn't it, that we should have such a
dreadful quarrel? | was very angry
when | came downstairs, and / did not
mind my steps" ....
1--WE have had no quarrel. 1t takes
two, you know"
"Oh then you mean to give it up?
Oh! l am go glad"
Give up WHAT" .....
"The organ"
81 did not say So"
con- my love, you did"
Not knowingly" t.
Here sharp twinge of pain caused
her to catch her breath with little cry
| and a start