The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-07

"Well, yes; do remember It," said Mr..
bartholomew. Now that you speak of it
do recall it. 1 forget the young woman's
name, but | well remember her. She has
gone out Of trade, as we say-left here some
time ago, greatly to my regret"
Morgan turned away abruptly. He had
nothing more to say to Mr.. Bartholomew,
for, while it was easy to express something
he did not feel, 1T was quite another thing
to telgn Indifference where he was so
greatly interested. And now it was almost
impossible for him to leave the store with
out making further injuries respecting
Laura Many time as he passed the door
the feeling that she was within and that he
was serving her by not entering gave him
not only seif-apprOval. but manly senti-
ment of loyalty. If he could not see her he
could honor her at a distance and wait
But now, to find her gone, utterly dsarmed
him and held him up before himself as one
c0ntemplateS another man. He almost re-
GREETED having agreed so willingly to
Laura's determination to end their inno-
cent acquaintance. He even wondered if
she was coquette and had receded, ex-
pecting him to follow.
Morgan left the store, but as he passed
out he met the gray-haired porter aud rec
0gnlZed him as the man who had attended
Laura home at the time of the accident
The porter also remembered the young
journalist, and, pauslng for moment, Nor
gan's anxiety oyercame his dignity. Making
y
commanding Thomas for his attention at
the time, he said, in dssimulation's left
hand manner, "Of course YOU know moth
ing Of Miss Everdale now, Thomas?"
"Of course | do" said the old English
man. ''She is singing in fine old church
on some avenue uptown, 1 think. Did you
not know that she often took part with
Camp and Heeny?"
Camp and Heeny!" exclaimed Morgan,
land pray tell me who are tley?"
UI,tr NJ 4
must know! | once went to see Mr.. Ever
dale to ask if l could help her, and she gave
me ticket to hear Camp and Heeny sing in
the opera house"
Sing in the New York Opera House and
never even hear Of them? You must be
mistaken, Thomasp'
Not l, )" maintained the man; ''that Camp
and Heeny, sings murderers' parts IN The
choicest style, sir, and have heard him !"
Suddenly the mist vanished. Laura, with
an !tallanlzed cognomen. probably, was
singing in concerts with Campanini. and
also in some New York church, but where?
Morgan's first impulse was to employ
Thomas TO fluid her, but, knowing that with
her hne pride and dignity such course
would offend her, he at once abandoned the
ldea. DAYS passed before the unconscious
something which drove him on in the DUR
suit OF happiness developed any plan for
nudlng the one woman who held his life
within her hands. Every church on every
avenue now had the young journalist for
an occasional attendant and as Easter
drew near and choir rehearSals were in
order, all his evenings were devoted to
dropping in wherever there appeared TO be
the slightest hope of finding Laura. At
last 1t was within day of Easter, and
Morgan STAIRS courage had almost touched
the point of negation. Business called him
10 the western side OF the city late in the
afternoon OF Easter even, and as he saup-
tered back across the town he turned into
a dlngy, unfamiliar neighhOrhOod, and in
the peculiar atmosphere of a foggy twilight
heard a melodious church-bell not far off.
Nnat an exquisite t0ne!" he exclaimed.
wonder II people in those crumbIinE old
houses appreciate it-there's no such melody
IN any bell uptownP'
a few more steps brought him to the
front of old st. Clements. Furrowed by
the marks of time and browbeaten, as it
were, by an elevated railroad structure.
the venerable edlfice seemed pushing itself
forward to the recognition of passers-by.
Something Of its persistent dignity and
patience in holding its way through SO
many changes crept into Morgan's heart.
Like the pyramids.it held an atmosphere of
uncomprehended strength, and the anxious
lover felt its power.
IF it were worth WHILE" said he. az
would go in, but surely she would not be
here. l must wait and bide my time in
faith.
For should I wait, some time the light OF dav
Will come and sit beside my door.
He raised his hat in reverent feeling, and
was about to turn away when a soft prelude
from the organ detained him, and in
another moment clear soprano voice be-
gan Luther's well-known Easter hymn of
1924 Morgan knew it WELL His heart
bounded AS its strains brought back the as
sociations of his boyhood, and it required
but moment more for him to enter
the old church, walk part way down the
aisle and look up at Laura EverdaIe-for
there in old st. Clements "the light of
day had come to him in the twilight shades
of Easter eve. Trembling with emotion.
he seated himself beneath the organ gallery
and listened TO the voice of the. woman
who had grown into his heart and life
through silent, patient waiting aud acted
but unspoken love.