Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-05-06

seats, and by the organ sat Guy Haliam, as
white as death, but, now that the moment or
trial was come, cool and resolute. He look
ed down at the crowded church; and pres
emily he saw his sister enter. A hasty glance
at his watch showed him that the appointed
hour was almost reached. He turned round
quickly, and saw that the place OF the boy
who had come to him on the previous night
was empty. Cold drops gathered on his
brow.
~ might have expected it," he muttered;
and yet his heart was full of a surprise and
disappointment he could not account for.
He turned again to his organ with feel
ing of hopeless despair, and raised his hand
TO close the now useless score; but, as he did
SO. it was arrested by the light touch OH his
arm which had detained him before; and,
looking up, he started, seeing that the choris-
ter stood beside him. At the same moment
curious sense of recognition which hsd
haunted him during their first interview be-
came more marked and for second he
seemed almost able TO account for it; then it
faded away.
~ must be out of sight of the people," the
boy whispered. "Let me stand here-here,
where can touch you"
"As YOU like" Guy Hallam returned soft
ly. Then he took the boys hand again, and
scrutinized him more closely. "Well," he
said. "whether you succeed or fail shall
always be grateful to you But oh, my boy,
try hard! Pray to Heaven to help you, and
don't forget that everything depends On
YOU"
He seated himself before the organ as he
spoke and the boy took up his position be-
side him. With grand swell of harmony
the music poured through the old Cathedral,
hushing the murmuring people and filling all
the building with its loveliness. Then arose
a chorus of boys voices which scared and
fell and at last died away, leaving the organ
again to take up the strain alone. 1t played
a few simple chords of prelude and voice
began to sing.
Even now, when Downbury has become
hourshing place, instead of the old-fashion-
ed market-t0wn ii was-now, when it boasts
fine concert-hall and listens critically to
London ''stars'-eyen now it remembers and
speaks of that marvellous singing.
The story which Guy Hallam had taken
for his cantata was the beautiful story oil
Ruth, and the words which the wonderful
voice took up were the tender ones which
have been loved for centuries and will be
loved while the world lasts-"Intreat me not
to leave thee or TO return from following
after thee; for whittier thou goest, will go;
and where thou lodgest l will lodge; thy
people shall be my people, and thy God my
God; where thou diest will die, and there
will be buried"
As the last sounds died away, there was
the sound as of sobbing amidst the vast con-
course of people throughout the great Cathe-
dral; but the composer of the music which
had so moved them neither heard nor needed
the involuntary tribute to his genius.
Beautiful as he had known his work TO be,
he had never dreamed that it could be en-
dowed with such beauty as had been just inn
parted TO it. A new soul seemed breathed
into it. A mist rose before his eyes, he paid
no heed to the music before him-nor did he
need it. He forgot where he was, forgot the
spell-bound multitude that listened to him.
He felt only communion of spirit with that
other which so wonderfully comprehended
his, and he was moved by its sympathy to
higher flights of genius. He played as if in
spired, and the choristers seemed carried
away. The building rang with their clear
young tones and ever and anon the marvel
lous voice thrilled the hearts of the audience.
Women sobbed aloud, tears rolled down fair
young cheeks and stood in faded eyes. The
WllOlt SlCdb dSSCulblg was iiNolotlDii sway
ed by the various moods of the music the
moments passed unnoticed. One last long
grand song of triumph scared like larks
above all other voices, the organ ceased, the
cantata was over, and Guy was famous.
Among the crowd that passed out Of the
huge doors of Downbury Minister that day
there was not one diSsentient voice. Even
would-be cavaliers were silenced, feeling it to
be impossible to say anything which would
not be condemned as unjust and assigned its
true motive. The town rang with applause,
and the wires flashed the news to all-absorb-
ing London of this young genius, this won
derful composer, who from the very midst of
the people had suddenly sprung into the
light of fame.
Nor did they cease to marvel and 10 inquire
about the singer who had so much to do with
Guys success. Whence came he, and why
had he never been heard of before? What
was his name? Was he town-bred or strang-
er?
ToBE CONTINUED.