The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-05-21

The Easter season approached while
he was in this state of indecision. He
very seldom went to church now, espe-
cially since he had become intimate
with Warren Chauncey. The very at
mosphere of n church was in itself
reproach, and the solemn hush, the
odor of the flowers and the sound of
prayer were intolerable to him in some
of his restless moods.
Warren Chauncey was out of town
for the day, or the young men would
doubtless have been together, as
usual upon their Sunday morning stroll.
AS it was, Alec Hunter was free to enjoy
the beautiful day and its attendant
good influences without the sneering
remarks of the hardened wording fl
tered through them.
The church bells began to ring
Come, come, come to church, come to
church, come, come"
''Well, if the very bells haven't taken
up the Easter Tone" he said to himself.
81 believe I'll go. It's been an age since
have been to church"
IL blltiI Ill Tic very seat III
front of him sat a lady who reminded
him of his mother; the resemblance
was startling at first, and he became
absorbed in the study of her face.
His mother had been in his thoughts
when he entered, and it seemed as if his
thought of her had been answered by
her very presence as he encountered
the backward glance of the lady in the
forward pew.
The peace and JOY of the service
seemed enveloping him about like a
garment, when, like an ugly kissing
thing, the thought of Warren Chauncey
came TO him.
ut is nice, respectable way enough
of spending a dull day." he had said one
Sabbath, as together they had watched
the streams of people taking their ways
to the churches. ut is a good cloak,
this piety, to guard one against too
prying eyes"
This speech came to his mind just as
the face before him turned a little, Civ
ing him a better view.
There was a rapt expression upon it
which reminded him still more of his
mother.
Her piety had been real--a cloak to
keep her warm, lamp to guide her
feet, holy influence to permeate every
action of her life; he knew that well,
and he believed the lady before him was
like her.
With the thought of Warren came
the memory of the questionable scheme
into which he was being drawn.
"My son, if sinners entice thee, con-
sent thou not"
He started. No one had spoken, yet
memory and conscience had voiced
themselves in the familiar words a.
most audibly.
He seemed to see his mothers pale,
tear-stained face as he had seen it last
in the little cottage home. His waver-
ing resolution crystallized in that mo
ment to stern resolve to say no once
and for all, to the tempter.
Nay, more, he would no longer expose
himself to the temptations which this
mans constant companionship entailed.
He would send for his mother, and they
would have their home together, hum
bic as it might be, and he would be no
longer homeless.
When the service was over the lady
turned to him with welcoming smile
and introduced herself
'We are glad to see you here" she
said, warmly, as she offered her hand;
come again and worship with us"
1t was so little to do, the hearty word
of welcome to a stranger, but the touch
of her motherly fingers thrilled away
down to his heart, strengthening the re-
solves he had made as we'll as the link
which would in future bind him to that
particular church.
He went out from it stronger and
better man, an Easter harmony awak-
ened in his soul which would echo out
through all his future life.-Union Sig
nal.
TEMPERANCE TIDiNGS.