Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1882-02-28


II Is, he added with mournful smile,
"my only recreation"
Elaine was too much a woman OF the
world to be embarrassed, and she
gracicusly put the organist at his ease
by an animated dissertation upon ancient
music, in which subject che Was
thoroughly Mt Tome. Then she left him
as his pale check was flushed with
e1 ,itement and pleasure, and dropped
in upon the Rev. Leonard. who was
lying on Turkish lounge, smoking
scented cigarette, and composing his
Sunday sermon.
"Who is hel" she asked, abruptly.
"Whog" sitting up in Difference to
her visit.
"Why, the organist; he plays
divinely, and has the most interesting
face ever saw"
"Oh, the organistl Why, think he
is music mad but he does play well,
doesn't he? He's the schoolmaster and
general factotum of the village has
spent small private fortune in charity,
and would take off his coat and shoes
to morrow and give them to tramp il
he thought he needed them. He isn't
quite right--a sort of fanatic, You
know"
"How strangel" said Elaine, coolly;
"such men are so rare that they ought
to be exhibited at so much head.
Meanwhile / shall want to hear that
lovely music every day"
"You shall. will tell him you wish
il, and he can take the time from his
black alpaca old woman and red flannel
sufferers"
"On second thought I believe I don't
care, said Elaine. "You needn't men
tion il to him. Very likely would
get tired of il II heard it too often.
What books are these, cousin, any new
novelsy
Not here" answered Leonard, with
laugh, "theSe are Paley's theology
and Dicks philosophy. am looking
up some facts for next Sunday"
Don't hold the hay so high, your
sheep won't get any. Do you never
talk TO them without books or paper p
"Why. You know, Elaine. our church
does no. believe in an emotional reli-
gion. The peope themselves would
not understand il.
"Husks husks," answered Elaine.
Glow tired they must get OF them.
Leonard, | don't like that expression,
Our church Ii is not ours. Iremem.
Der when | was at school. l said one
day i would give the world for piece
of bread and the dear old teacher
stopped and said The worn is not
yours TO give, my child"
why. how energetic you are, cousin
mine; since when have you renowned
the pomps and vsnities OF this wicked
world p
IL have not renowned them at all
thew have renowned me by becoming
tame and meaningless. Oh, Leonard,
/ had such plans Of a summer here,
helping you 20 do noble work, helping
TO forget that twenty five years of my
life have bean frittered away. and now
/ am disappointedr
She wiped away two pearly tears,
tossed her plumed bat on her head and
went out, leaving him to his siesta and
his cigarette.
The little termagant," he said-she
was as tall as be. but men like to call
women little--"I-don't believe-I'will-
propose; what an uncomfortable wife
she would make, tying 20 reform some
thing or somebody 81 the time
TIE little village on the sea shore
vas a pretty nd picturesque plsce, and
Fiaine spent DAYS in wandering about
it-sonetimes with her handsome min
isterial relative, ottener alone she was
A constant study and object Of admira
ton 10 the primitive people she met,
who studied her as If she had been
some marvellous bright-winged tropical
bird. in her cardinal seaside costumes,
and dainty accouterments. Sometimes
she met Algy Fisher, the Young teacher,
leading some truant child to Its home,
or patiently teaching a refractory pupil
in the open air, unmindful that he WAS
giving time aud strength In service not
required Of him. He looked thin and
delicate and Elaine saw that he was
suffering. and once she stopped sudden
II in her walk and demonstrated with
him. =,
you are killing yourself IN the
service Of this people; have you no
interest in your own lifeT And then
he answered, gently
.Nv life is not nv own it belongs
TO suffering and afflicted humanity
everywhere my time Will be short. i
have more work to DO Z 4n other men"
ooh" said Elaine wringing her hands,
ssand / stand here all the day idle Is
there nothing can doT
"Plenty DO you see that cabin on the
sardsY
Where the children are at the door
wbare-vhere the man that was drowned
Yesterday is p
Eyes ! 90 there those children need
but nv cousin, surely he has been
there?'
"Yesi he read the twenty-third
psalm to them last night, but you--you
will find something to do"
"Thank you," she answered, softly
81 will try"
She pashed the rough cabin door
open with her white ieweled nand, ano
stood in the midst of the room, DIR
and desoiation, which, combined,
presented such spectacle OF misery tc
eyes uusccustomed 10 it. A woman was
sitting by a rude bench, wherein lay .
covered form, crying bitterly, nor did
She cease during Elaine's stay glriel
was now her only Injury. Elaine looked
at the poverty of it all and went away
With her thoughts full OF mental
measurings, and when the day OF the
funeral came, the widow and orphans
we've in decent black, there was months
provisions in the house, and the bitter.
EDGE of their grief was taken Oh, ano