Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-04-16

an hour or two before she ougstnt 20 be Of
Tended
In less than half minute Angie verrina-n
saw mae. not in Sunday attire, enter her pew
and q, his ewes upon the still unoccupied pull
pit second later she knew who he Was. and
then she fixed her own eyes on the back rail OF
the pew in front Of her. The two occupants 81
the pew retained their positions without change
until the minister arose and announced hymn
and the congregation began TO sing. There
was but one hymn book in the pew-it Was IN
Angles hand when the yschtsmen entered the
church, so the girl approached Jack and shared
been as = worshipcr he did know how 20 sing;
he had sang with Angie occasionally in volun-
teer concerts. and fAttered himself that their
voices blended eXquisi;cly. Tie did his best az
the hymn; II be sang well maybe she would be
pleased. and 20 please that little angel he would
cheerfuliy sing has voice away even were he TO
go dumb forever after.
Then he paid attention 20 the service, al
though he counted the minutes until the nc 70
hymn. for Angie had decorously retired 90 the
farther end OF the pew the moment the OPEN
ing song ended lie forgot ali about his late
associates. who would be 90 foolish ~ 60 think
OF . trio Of ordinary men while seated within
almost an arms length OF Gngcl2 Jack
wondered what Angie thought OF each pRrt.cu-
lar portion OF The service. As he could not ask
her at the time and might never find a good
opportunity TO interrogste her on the subject,
he once IN a while looked sly,y toward her 60
discover. X possible, how she was being inn
pressed Apparently one portion OF the cxer-
clses was Just as interesting 10 her as another,
for ner eyes wandered neither TO tho right OF
LEFT. consequently she never oEce met Jacks,
which was somewhat Disappointing. He told
himself That II wasn't exactly fam Tor n girl to
coax fellow to church ana then not pay the
slightest ats ntlon 20 him.
Els sky frightened when the second hyma
was announced. As the congregation did not
arise 10 sing IL was merely manners for
Jack instead f.Angie to move so that they
might sSain share the HYMN book. That
hynn WASH haH long enough, Jack deter
mined to write a vigorous letter TO the local
papers as soon as he reached homo on the
pefhlclous habit OF making periods of re-
Hglous praise as short as possible, while
prayers and sermons were made longer. Per-
maps 1t was because he was 90 absorbed in
thought on this subject that he did not move
back to his own end Of the pew when the
singing ended.
As to the sermon-it seemed too short for
Easter. or. indeed. for Rny other SUNDAY.
twas tho first sermon Jack had ever heard
which was not long enough. Nhy, Jack could
have sat and listened 20 Shat minister all day
sat beside Angle and been happy at being
where It seemed the glow OF her cheek was re-
hected TO hls. where he could see her gloved
hands clssped decoroasly yet 60 pretnly and
hear continually the music OF er gentle
breathing. lie dida't wonder that fellows
with Acknowledged swcctLearts went regula rly
TO church-like the fellows with sweet wiysa
III Angie were his he would go to church with
her all day long on Sunday. If she liked, OF,
happy thought, he would take her on the
Sprite TO some cha eight or ten miles av AZ
and worship Ter iurng the entire trip.
Little though Jack knew IL, the sermon had
been a very good one. IN the opinion OF Angie
so good and so inspiring that when she arose
TO sing tao last hymn Jack thought her voice
that Oh an angel. aud although he did his best
TO accompany it be felt himself utterly Ut fit to
be standing beside its owner. What concerted
fellows men were, to be sure and what fools
they made Of themselves whsn they Laughed AZ
young women for going to church. he would
make an alb GO. confession 20 Angie. right after
service, If she would let him, ana he wound
free his mind to the boys the way back 10
the yacht still. probably they couldn't be
made to understand, poor fellows, for they
hadn't sat beside Angie for an hour. and had her
sweet voice from scarcely hymn books length
away.
After the benediction Jack turned toward
Angie and said: You see repeated and came
back"
I'm SO glad, exclaimed Anglo, looking as if
she entirely meant what she said. Don't yeu
believe you're the better for III"
I'm sure l am"
'.It was one of abe best Easter sermons ever
heard" Angie continued. Did YOU ever hear
q better"
I'm sure don't remember, though didn't
hear a word OF this one. 1 was thinking terri
bly, hard all the whllo."
"lou wicked man! Can't you leave business
out of your head one day of the week."
"'Twasn't business, Angie; twas a good
Easter subject. was thinking all the while
about the angels-or one OF them"
Angie biushed, looked discreet and re-
marked:
I'VE must go: the church 10 nearly empty,
and you needn't try to make me believe shat
YOU have sat here for an hour and half with
out hearing any OF the service. IL ITS true
you must come again by way of atonement"
I'm do IL If may occupy the same pew and
IL you IL forgive me for my ru, oaess IA going
into IL today. dressed as 4 am. 4 meant 10 for .
joke, but twas a very poor one"
You're welcome to your joke. II you got aay
fun out Of II" said Angie, for your-your
manl.ness in coming.
''lts very sweet Of You to saw 80. Angie, I"
Jack replied He felt too grateful for words to
express. and as there was nobody behind them
he looked down moment and took one Of
Angles hands in his.
Jack" said Angie. reprovingly, but she
could not release her hand. Beside, Jack said
quickly:
Il want you 10 shake hands on something
You said a moment ago that niust come again
aud 1 promised to do IL 4 mIgIt SIT IN
the same pew. IL It a bsrgain?'
Indeed II is" the glrl replied and Jack
would have been willing to make oath that Q
little hand pressed his own.
suppose. though, that should come oftsn2
Habit Is powerful influence. You know"
Angie succeeded IA Withdrawing her hand O.
she answered:
You know anybody lie welcome At our church
and that visitors are always provided with
seats"
ices, bu. tho ushers would put me among
the other sinners. AZ Is necessary for NV spr
Itual welfare that always should sit bcside q
saint as have been dong today. May II"
nlafl frst tod
moment before she replied.
III it really Is necessary, as you say, why
yes"
Thank you. But Angie. people would be
sure to talk, in such a Case. There's only one
way to prevent it"
They were near the door; Angie quickened
but he said hastily:
If 1 could tell people that I'd given you my
soul in exchange Tor your heart. everybody
would understand Won't you consider that .
bargain, too. and give NE your hand on iiI'
'oh, Jack. sighed Angie, you always we're
given TO sudden inspirations.
There's no hing sudden about this. Angie.
I've been nursing II for years. Speak quickly,
before we reach the door; II you'd rathsr not
speak give me your hand"
The girl stopped. looked up frankly and ex-
tended her hAI.d. Jack looked quickly behind
him; no one WAS in sight so in a second he lad
drawn the girl aside from the open doorway,
put both arms about her and kissed her.
Jack exclaimed Angie. I'm this holy
place."
The place is no holier than the deed. dar-