The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-12-07


had not expected to hear. for his
furnish no address; but now he wished,
especially as the days passed by and nc
Rawson Forester appeared, that he
had made some arrangement for letters
to pass between them. Ten days
feeted by. Charles Bell feared that his
little experiment in reformation was
never to be heard of again.
One evening he had gone to his room
and was just about to retire for the
night when a knock came at his door,
He opened it, and there stood Rawson
Forester; but he was not the fair and
handsome man from whom Charles
Bell had parted few short weeks be-
fore His face had the old swollen,
sodden look, his eyes were bloodshot,
his clothing was filthy and torn. He
looked even more disreputable than on
that memorable day in the Vienna
garden; but Charles Bell took no ap-
parent notice of his plight
"How are you. old fellow" he cried,
cordially. I've been looking for you
Something detained you, l suppose.
Your room is engaged. I had a fine
time in Switzerland, but wished every
day that you were with me-"
Rawson Forester congratulated
him. Charles Bell ordered up a little
supper in honor of his friends arrival
1t was obviously needed. Then they
! separated for the night, Charles Bell
taking care to see that his friend was
safe in his room before he left him.
The next morning Bell was up very
early. He had not slept much. Forres-
ter's case was on his mind He strolled
into the street thinking hard as he
walked along. He was terribly wor-
rled about the young man in whose
reformation he had invested SO much
love and money. It was evident that
the poor wretch could not be trusted
for single day alone. His moral ma
ture was too weak, but there was
something in his look as he had stood
at Charles Bells door last evening
which had plainly told his benef actor
that he was penitent, and that his
pride was on fire to do better.
He was at this moment passing a
modest residence on quiet street, and
a man was coming out of it whose garb
indicated that he was a clergyman OF
the Church of England. His face was
one to inspire confidence. Without
stopping for more than good look at
him, Charles Bell sccosted him and
asked permission to walk along beside
him and tell him story. The clergy
man, surprised, but evidently glad to
be of help to anyone, assented cordial
". and Charles Bell told him all that
he knew of Rawson Forrester's sad his
tory. The clergyman, whose name
proved to be Branch, listened with
sympathy, and approved the vague
project which his companion had in
mind.
"Come around to my church this
evening"" he said when they parted,
and showing him how to reach the
place II will have some friends there,
and will devise little service which
may accomplish your purpose. 1 will
think about it during the day"
CHARLES Bell thought of Forrester's
appearance and suggested somewhat
later date. which the clergyman fixed.
Upon his return to the hotel he found
his friend dressed and waiting for him.
After breakfast they visited tailors and
bootmakers and by a few days more
the backslider was transformed again,
and again at Bells expense, into the
gentleman
Upon the appointed evening, Charles
Bell proposed stroll to his friend, and
they soon approached the little chapel
where the clergyman had promised to
await them.
What pretty place!" rem arked
Bell. Lets look into it. Forester.
"All right" assented the young man.
and they walked in. True to his prom
ise, there was Mr.. Branch, with
young man, whom he introduced as his
brother, and two beautiful and refined
women his wife and her sister, he said
as he brought them forward
1T is delightful to see you again,
Mr.. Branch" said. Charles Bell, as
though he and the rector were the old
est of friends. II had never seen your
chapel, you know. What charming
little place it is! I am glad to have
run into it, for would like nothing
better than to have you and Mr.. For
roster become acquainted"
They talked on in the gathering twi-
light. The rector lighted the candles
which stood in sconces about the walls
near the altar and upon it, and pur-
posely led the conversation into seri-
Gus channels 1t was silgulsrly i'm
pressive scene and time. Every good
word seemed to fall with redoubled eff
feet
Il don't know what it is about these
beautiful little English churches" said
Charles Bell. but there is something
very solemn to me in them all. 1t
makes me want to be better. Now I
am not an irreligious man, though |
have never joined church. l have al
ways tried to do the best | could, and /
have tried to be such a man as think
my mother would like 70 have me-but
tonight l feel as though | ought to
take a more distinct pledge than l ever
have taken before, to lead better life.
Have you any such pledge that you ad-
minister to your poor people around
here, Mr.. Branch? It would give me
great pleasure to take it at your hands
here among these few friends who, l
am sure. sympathize with me-and
Il