Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1894-10-25
Continued.


He paused, and there was dense ST.
lence for some seconds, ana ENeraru
saw that the blue brilliance of his eyes
was blurred with tears; while Sir Lao
mel and Ingram experienced Il sense
of profound relief in the hope that the
too-eXcitins sermon was ut an END.
The congregation rose joyously to theiI
feet, eaSed of strain that was Decoh-
ing intolerable.
When Cyril had left the pulpit, his
father pronounced the benedlction on
the kueeling crowd in his calm, sweet
tones, 50 restful after the storm ana
passion of the young preachers richly
ccmpassed voice. But the blessing did
Not reach Cyril's distracted soul. Tax
ing advantage Of the shadows when he
reached his place in the chancel, he
glided swiftly behind the pillars, like
some hurt spirit fleeing from the benz
son that would heal it, till he reached
the yestry, where he threw himself i'll
n chair behind Il screen, and covered
his face. When Mr.. Maitland in due
time followed the choir thither, he did
not at first observe the silent, ShoStiy
figure III the shadow; and then be-
coming aware of him, he left him to
himself till the choristers were gone,
thinking that he was praying. But on
approaching nearer, he was startled 10
hear strong sobs issue from the Nelied
figure.
My dear boy he demonstrated,
this will never do. Too much excite
ment is unwholesome both for priest
and people Come, master yourself,
dear lad. You are unwell; this fasting
is not wise. Henry was right.
"Oh, father" sobbed Cyril, lit is not
the fasting! Oh, shut the door, and lei
us be alone, and let me tell you all
ALL
Come, come" said the gentle old
man; calm yourself, and tell me what
ever you like later. AT present we are
both worn out, and need change OF
thought. You have Il great gift, deal
fellow, and l trust your words nave
struck home to at least one con
science"
They haye-oh, they have indeed.
repeated Cyril, with increasing aSita
ton: land that miserable conscience
oh, father, father! how can tel
YOU
Hush! hush! This is hysteria, as
Everard predicted Say no moHe,al
insist upon your silence. Remember
where we are! Drink this water. Stay
will call Henry and MI. Maitland
went quickly into the church, where
Everard was yet lingering with Lillian
who always had various errands con
nected with the parish to transact IL
the porch, and beckoned him to the
Vestry.
CIVIL did not resist his fathers viii
any more, but sunk back with moan
half of anguish, half OF relief, and
listened meekly to the rough kindli
ness Of Everard and the gentle remon
strances of his father.
This is Il pretty scene. MI Malt
land" observed Eyerard, on entering
the veStry. III: OF course he is ILL
after exciting himself on an empty
't-
as these, my friend, is Bedlam. Take
this brandy, and then so quietly home
and get good sleep, and let us have
no more of this nonsense, for goodness
sake"
SO Cyril did as they bid him, and
held his peace. Had he but acted Oh
his hearts impulse, and spoken oul
then as he wished, he would have pro
luced sorrow and dismay indeed, but
the long, lingering tragedy which was
to involve So many lives should have
been forever averted.
once, perhaps, in each crisis Of our
lives, our guardian angel stands before
us with his hands full of golden oppor-
tunity, which, if we grasp, 1t Is well
with US; but woe to us if we turn our
backs sullenly on our gentle visitor
and scorn his celestial gift! Never
again is the gracious treasure offered,
and the favorable moment returns Ao
more.