The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-12-07

well-known Episcopal church not far
from his hotel. 1t was announced that
there would be preaching by the rec
tor, "the Rev. Rawson Forester"
''That name could hardly belong to
any body but my old FRIEND" thought
Charles Bell. Il must 60 around to
that service"
The appointed hour found him
among the worshipers in the large and
fashionable church which had been
designated in the paper. He secured a
good seat and waited anxiously for the
appearance of the rector. Stately, ele-
giant. dignifed, he at last advanced
from the vestry. He was indeed none
other than the young misanthrope OF
the Vienna garden.
"What an interesting tale he will
have to tell" thought Charles Bell
with quickening pulse, and he could
hardly wait for the conclusion of the
service to hear that st ory.
What meeting they must have
had!" you exclaim. Il can imagine
how Rawson Forester threw himself
into the arms of his benefactor and ac-
hnowledged with streaming eyes the
debt of gratitude he owed him. He
told him that all his success under God
was due to the disinterested efforts of
that benefactor. He told him how con-
stantly he had watched for him through
all those years-how he had longed to
share with him each new hope and joy
that had come to him-he took him
home to his wife and children and de-
clared that henceforth his home should
be Charles Bells home: he said to his
wife: This is the best friend 1 have
ever had!"
But you are going too fast for the
facts in the case
Two or three parishioners had pre-
ceded Charles Bell into the vestry, and
he waited for them to finish their in
terviews. At last his turn came, and
he approached Rawson Forester with
a confident smile and an outstretched
hand. The rector accepted this civilly
at first with a trifle of doubt, then more
cordially as look of recognition crept
over his face. He had always had a
slight lisp, and time had increased it.
Ivy, Mr. Bellr' he exclaimed, call
ing his name without difficulty. How
do you do? This is weslly, yon know,
great pleaszha, you know. 1t is a
long time since we met, in deed, you
know. l hope you have been-ah-
we'll all this time. Delighted, I am
suah, you know. 1 wish l could talk
with you for awhile. you know-I
weally do-ah-but my family are not
vewy well-ah-and then l have al
ready been detained, you know. and |
must beg to be excused, you know.
Vewy glad to have seen you. am
suah, you know. Good night" And
Mr.. Charles Bell found himsel If standing
alone in the midst of the luxurious
little vestry, while the smiling rector
was vanishing within the door OF an in
ner apartment
He returned to his hotel. He had
seen a good deal of life and of human
nature, but be had learned tonight
more than he had ever known before,
and considera bly more than is proba-
bly, understood by the elegant congre-
CATION to which Rev. Rawson Forester
ministers
This meeting occurred during the
winter of 1891. In the fall of 1892
Charles Bell died. 1t will probably be
a relief TO Rev. Rawson Forester. if he
reads this story, as it is devoutly hoped
that he will. to know that he will not
be in danger of meeting his old friend
again on earth, and human and finite
understanding can hardly see how they
can ever meet elsew here--kate Cpson
Clark, IN Leslie's Weekly.