Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-06-17
OUR MUSIC TEACHER.
A Womanly Heart Just Saved
from Bitterness.

from bitterness.
was not Roman Catholic. but
liked to go to that service, particularly
after the new church was built, whcl
pleased my eye with its pure beauty
and appealed to my rccollections in q
way. faint. TO he sure, but delightful
to me. In those glorious mornings
would hurry along the streets, hug
ging my cloak about me, the keen all
bringing the crimson TO my face, my
eyes idly searching hither and thitheI
under hats and bonnets for face that
should strike my Imagination. and about
which l could weave strange, fanciful
histories. Thus walked on till l came
10 the less h.ckly inhabited portion OF
the city. Sharp broozes came from the
bay, whose scintillating surface was
now in sight across the plats OF land
not yet built up. l turned rapidly
round the corner. and came in sight Of
the church which was ny destination.
i looked with admiration at its heavy
stone facade; | did not even scorn tie
fingers that dipped into the holy water
in the vestibnle. Ny childhood had
been spent ia Montreal, close by its
imposing cathedral, and the glittering.
impressive ceremonies enacted there
had remained in my memory like the
shining phantasm OF a dream. So, with
all my conscious pride of intellect and
education. ! could never dcspisc the
devotees of that religion
i stood just within the door that led
from the vestibule, glancing through
the new comcrs, watching the degree
<of dexoiedness on each face as each
forehead was bedewcd with holy water.
The majority of the c0mtenances were
those of working people-soMe petty
NOW and then an aristocratic toNn
and dress swept mp to the marble basin,
and then passed me 20 the seats OF the
church, leaving a slight perfume behind.
Tie lights at the altar were cleaning
out below the picture of the Mater I'M
nadcnidta. was about turning 10 find
n seat, when a slender figure came up
the steps. Here was n face to dream
about. II had come twice as far this
cold morning. | should have been re-
paid by the interest this girl instantly
excited. She was not dressed like the
wealthy people who had passed me,
but she was more thoroughly an aris-
tocrat than any OF them. Her clothes
were almost poor, but worn with that
manner which the well dressed would
have envied. Was she Catholic?
AS she came up csught the CLEAN
of rosary of pearls at her belt.
whose heavy red gold fastenings were In
entire contrast with the rest OF her dress.
nftNa No IN - ssfs. 20. l..
self with the holy water. though she
half paused, as If feeling an inclination
10 do SO, then came through the door
and stood near me, waiting for seat
She, too, was n stranger / stood fur
lively watching the face Of the girl. A
proud, dark face, not naturally pale.
hut pallid now, from suffering, |
thought; handsome, with its full lips.
albeit so colorless now. and its hazel
eyes. though they looked cold and dis
tant now-cool with that hopeless. dis
trustful look that must have been
caused by pain. In some people suel
life struggles as l imagined for thi,
girl would have given pleading, sup.
plicating expression. For her they
were doing worse; they were freezing
nature passionate and impulsive. In
n moment gentleman came up and
asked:
"Would you like scat, miss and
your friendPn
The question was addressed 10 me. |
bowed assent, feeling more pleased than
the occasion would warrant, in think
ing that this stranger would sit with
me. We both followed our conductor.
and sat down side by side as the first
peal OF the organ burst on the air. NV
companion did not knoel, though she
followed the service IN little velvet
bound praycr-booa. II seemed TO me
that / had never heard much finer
organ music, but / was so intent upon
watching this girl that Il rolled on
comparatively unhecded by mo. She
leaned forward. shading her eyes with |
her hand, her mouth growing sadder !
and sadder, till / thought / should cry,
just looking at those lips At last a |
teaE dropped on the leaves Of her book. |
i turned away my head; IL seemed |
hardly right for me 10 look at grief |
which ] had no power to assuage. The |
tones OF the priest rang |
through the church. and the responses
Of the organ aud choir awakenedin my
heart that old romance of religion
which stands ready 10 spring into life
NJ the beck of the Roman ritual.
When ! again looked at the stranger
ler face was raised, her eyes looking
forward; no trace of tears
IN that naughty countenance The
ast peal OF music, and the vast congre-
ration rose and began 10 move toward
he door Could I not comfort this
,irl who appealed 80 strongly 10
nv sympathies-alm TO my alice
lonP was wealthy; perhaps q spoiled
hild OF too indulgent parents. The
houghts thai flashed through my mind
iere more selfish than these. 1 CON
,ssed TO myself that my wish 10 know
he stranger sprang first from my de-
ro 90 crafty nyscll Ia knowing her. /
70 had both waited till the greater I
art Of tho people had gone. She i
lrned 10 leave tho pow. No longer !
ying TO resist the impulse that pos D
issed nae, / stepped nearer and laid .
" hand lightly on her shoulder. She d
okcd up With a movement of question: i
x surprise; her eyes met mine, and
'nw gentle as she looked. II
ssPardon me. and do lot me help :,
|up | exclaimed ia a low voice,
lldlng her glance with my eyes. that s.
'lst hafo shown how sincere were my
nrdk IA
Her eyellds dropped, noi with anger b