Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1877-05-11
q 2Ieasant Story.
VANCE VARIAN.


was not premedtated. He was bound
for no place in particular, and when the
brakeman shouted "Newton," he thought
be would like to hear the roar of old
ocean. As the salt sea breeze came to
his face, he suddenly remembered that
the Ogdens, old friends, remote relatives,
if he remembered rightly, of his family
lived here. Should he visit them ? In
ten years he had not troubled a relative
of his with his presence, he was not 60
ing to do it now, aud least Of all these
Puritanical Ogdens.
Nevertheless he went, and the prodi-
gal son of old was not received with more
warmth and kindness than was he by
Silas Ogden, his wife and daughter, his
youngest born, Cecilia. the only child at
home. John and William were away
preaching to Aocks of their own, and
Esther was away with her husband,
helping him to perform his duty in the
land of heathens
Three days passed and still Vance
Varian felt no inclination to leave, and
proceed on bis way to no place in par
ticular He sat watching Cecilia from
under his eyelids What face she had.
Not handsome--not even pretty, if every
creature was measured by the artistic rule
Of beauty-but it wss what cannot al
ways be said of a pretty face, singularly
attractive.
Her father, they said, was never strict
enough with her, but he did wise thing
when he selected a'steady going man like
young Graham for her husband.
"Will you come with us to church to-
morrow? Mr.. Graham is to preach in
papa's place, aud know that his sermon
will please you" She did not look up at
him, but kept on with her sewing as she
spoke.
Studying her face, he said: GLOW
do you know his sermon will please
me 2"
II do not think you are so very hard
to please" she said, smiling, "and |
never knew anybody yet that his sermon
failed to please. There is a magnetism
in his voice and manner that makes you
take every word he utters home to your
self feel 50 good when Mr.. Graham
talks to me my wicked heart is filed
with so much awe and reverence that |
think | will never do anything wrong
again, and don't until the next time.
1t is so hard, you know, for ones heart
to be always filled with awe, though
it would be an easy matter enough if
Mr. Graham was always near me--now,
you are laughing at me. +"
Vance was laughing, but when he
said
ooh, no; I'm not laughing at you, .
he spoke truthfully.
"And," he continued, carelessly, "Mr
Graham may be all you describe him,
but his sermon will not please me, for
all that. | was never pleased with a
sermon in my life, neither was / ever
particularly diSpleased with one. You
see never 90 to church since | left
home, unless | happen to be caught il
some quiet out-of-the-way place on q
Sunday where there is no other show
open. Out Of sheer desperation would
20 to church and listen, not to the sermon,
but TO the music. Have you choir in
your church p
yes" she answered. very quietly.
"Do you sing in it ?"
She nodded her head.
"Then shall go and listen to your
singing"
| III ~ 10
"Not to tho Sermon" and Vance
laughed again.
Vance Varian sat in the old gray
church. He had made up his mind not
to listen to the sermon, but he was
listening in spite of himself. Turn his
eyes which way he would be encountered
the kindling magnetic gaze of the
preacher. The service was over, and at
the church door he waited for Cecilia.
"Will you take walk on the cliffs
before you 20 home p he asked, when
she appeared.
Eyes, she answered, after some hesi-
tation.
He took her hand in his, and she
allowed him to lead her up the stray
Cling path They assembled the cliff,
neither speaking word.
They reached the top, they stood and
watched the boundless ocean stretched
out before them, and listened TO the thud
Of its mighty waves as they dashed
against the rocks below.
Suddenly Cecilia turned toward him,
and looking up in his face, she said
you did listen to tho sermon |
was watching YOU all the tune"