The National tribune., 1894-01-18

tdLuo ieNcl dS ~. WAS 6 uUOT WHICH OfJoHCA vi
rectly on the minister's home, which was really
part of the same building as the chapel. The
preacher could therefore leave the chapel with
out having to pass through any part OF it. Guy
usually descended the stairs of the pul pit after
each service, and come around to the commuB.
ion-rail. where the ceremony of hand shaking
with the chief officers was relgiously gone
through: some of them were expecting the
strange preacher to do the same, and even went
up to the railing for the parpose of self-intro-
duction; but he had already left the chapel
through the door behind the pulpit. F
They felt aggrieved at not knowing more
abont the arrangements made for supplying the
needs of the chapel. Here was strange
preacher-an excellent one, it is true-sudden-
ly appearing in, and disappearing from, their
own pulpit, without a word of explanation
from anyone.
Mr.. Delvin's daughter who had come in late
certainly volunteered the information that her
father, when coming down stairs had fallen
and spraned his ankle, with the result that it
became impossible for him to keep his appoint
ment. messenger had at once been dispatch
ed to aceuaint Mrs. Harkaway with the state
of affairs; but what had been her subsequent
course and how she had secured the services Of
the brilliant substitute, who had so entranced
them, no one knew.
They went away, pleased and angry at the
same time-a thrill of satisfaction at the glow
ing words they had listened to being their
chief feeling. Supposng, instead OF poor, we'll
meaning. but comparatively dreary Guy Hark-
away, they had that other for their pastor
Why, all the other churches in the neigh bor-
hood would be deserted visions OF an enlarged
and thronged Ebcnezer foated before their
imag gnation they saw themselves the deacOns,
Leaders," lay preachers, of one OF the most
popular religious ceniers in the metropolis; at
score of steaming dinner-tables that day the
mere possibility of such thing was discussed,
as men discuss the uses to which they would
apply great fortune if they suddenly became
possessed of one.
In the evening the chapel was crowded, and
again there arose fresh cause for discontent-
for instead of the fiery young preacher, whom
ailng msmmas and lackadaisical daughters
who never went out o. nights had come to bear,
there stood before them i'll the pull pit old Mr..
James, whose nasal drawl had never been
known to fail to lull his entire audience into
complex state which was half dependency
and half sleepiness.
Guy Harkaway returned from Atherstone on
the wednesday following. Grace who was out
at the time, found him seated, when she came
in In the little drawing -room his head leaning
on his hand. She ran up to him with cry of
joy aud put her arms about his neck. She bad
never been parted from him so long before.
Il am SO glad you have comet" she said.
But you are not looking well-not well"
Its the nerves. my aunts doctor told me.
He says want rest which Of course is out of
the question"
Grace turned her head away and sighed.
But tell me, Guy, is she-dead?"
She is almost well as you are, my dear.
To die, and TO have absurd fancy that you
are dying. two different things"
"Oh!" said Grace.
And now tell me all the news-how did you
get on on Sunday? What sort of sermons did
Mr. Delvin give you?"
I've got on very fairly; but Mr. Delvin did
not preach, after all. He sprained his ankle
and couldn't; was it not stranger"
"Strangc!"
"Yes; it seemed TO mo as if it was a kind of
judgment on your leaving your work for the
sake OF 10 matter how many pounds, and by
my advice, too Never again, Guy, dear, never
again must you do that Oh, 1 have been 50
wretched and scared!"
But" he said. opening his eyes in alarm,
you found soDeone-you did not leave the
pulpit empty, Grace? The people will never
forgive"-
Yes found someo %
"Whom, then2"
"Mr.-Mr James,"
"Oh, that will do" he said with relief Did
the people seem to like it?"
Yes, pretty WELL But, Guy, dear do not
refer TO Sunday and Sundays work in speaking
TO anyone 1t can only have the effect of re-
minding them of your absences; and should
anyone speak TO you about it, discourage the
subject as much as possible. viii you now"
Without quite understanding her eagerness
on the matter, he acquiesced mildly, and ask ed
| for something 10 eat.
1t soon became apparent that the doctors
diagnosis OF Guys malady was only too ac-
| curate; bis nerves were sadly uustrung, he
was beginning TO see things in distorted
light to find insupportable the daily crosses OF
his life which as healthy man he had been
able to accept as inevitable. That very even
ing, as he sat by the cosy hearth of one of his