The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-01-22

| church?p
''No, ma'am; no indeed You sec
it's this way; Somebody gave the or.
gan. All they did was to take it and
he thankful-it was all they could do, y
Alan said, eagerly, intent to explain
away the hurt TO sister Southall's
churchly dignity.
"Who was that somebody? ?' she de-
manded, fiercely.
"What makes you want to know ?''
asked Alan.
Because I'd like ter wiring his neck
an make organ bellows out er him, F"
Mrs. Southall said, her square jaws
setting hard. "Young man." she went
on, 81 hope you've spoke the truth
that you, my church brethren an sis
tren, have not been colloguin to trick
me. Twenty years ago they tried the
same thing. fit them, tooth an toe
nail, ag'inst the desecretion er the sane
tuary. You don't remember it. You
warn't much more'n four then but |
beat the organ crowd that I've stood
fiat-footed ag'inst ever sence, an slall
stand till die"
"Why Aunt Lucindy, what differ
ence can it make?" Mary Frances
broke in. "I'm sure the music will be
better, an certainly you believe God
ought to have the very best of every
thing for His house and worship"
"Don't talk you 'Piscople ways ter
me-" Mrs. Southall said, angriIy
"Child, it amt the sound, but the sperit
that is pleasin' ter our Lord. You must
sing with the soul when you come up
Tor the holy place an what soul, I'd
like ter know, is thar in er box er wind
an brass? To my mind it's "A heathen
sound, worse'n the abomination of
desolation. I've sung tribble in Ash
bury meetin'-house thirty-five years,
but jes as shore as they keep that thing
thar-try ter praise God by machinery
std er the humble an contrite heart,
I'll never set foot thar again alive, an
ef they carry me in my coffin, I'll do
my best ter rise an confound EN-"
Mrs. Southall said, gettin' unsteadily
to her feet and leaning heavily upon
the back of her chair. Mary Frances
ran to her side, but was waved of. For
a minute the elderly woman stood a
statue of tremulous fury, then she bent
her gaze full upon Alan Keith, saying
slowly.
"Alan-I don't know as you know
anything more'n you've told-but this
| say-if you do know whar that-or-
gan Lgulp over the word came from,
want you ter tell them that sent il
never ter come about me no more.
I've no fellowship fer 'em-no Christ
ain feelin'. Dan1 shall take our let
tiers at once--we'll go ter some little
church whar the members don't want
er mix fashion with thar religion. 1t
comes hard ter leave the place whar
my fathers an mothers have set under
the gospel droppin's-but I'll do It
ruther'n ter hear that squakin' an
boomin'-ter see the place | love made
er theayter, with the little preacher fer
play-actor. / mistrusted him when
found that poetry book i'll his saddle
bags; now he's showed the clOyen huff
an all can do is ter say, him cn' his
organ crowd keep fur away from me-"
Young Keith stood up very straight.
"Mrs. SOuthall," he said, respectfully,
al never meant ter tell anybody-it
seemed too like boastin'-I bought the
organ all by myself love the sound
of it; it helps ter take my soul from
earth. Last fall sOwed extra wheat
purpose to make the money, and
from the way it yielded | can't think
God saw anything wrong in the pur-
pose. / bought tits only a little
one-wishin' | could buy better, the
very best. Now you say | sha'n't
come here no more. Then must say
somethin' else before | go"
Needn't take the trouble. | know
it; you want May Frances; you'll
never git her with my consent. You'd
better go on home an quit thinkin
about her." Mrs. Southall said, frigid-
ly, though curious small tremors ran
through her voice.
Keith turned to Mary Frances and
held out his arms. With a little
shamed cry she slipped within their
clasp, then sprang away, hiding her
face in her hands. Keith drew them
down tenderly, saying:
Little girl, you'll marry me, what
ever happens"
"Then she'd better do right of; she
can't stay here no longer ef that's her
purpose" Mrs. Southall said, her lips
narrowing 10 line.
'The sooner the better for me"
I.eith said. 'Get your bonnet, sweet
heart Ny mother is ready and wait
in to welcome her daughter"
Mary Frances went close to her aunt
put out timid hand and said, softly:
'Aunt Lucindy, please-please-don't
be so mad. Alan didn't know. He
wouldn't-he couldn't have done tiff
If he had dreamed how you felt about
il. II can't bear to-leave you-this
way-after you have been so kind"
"You can stay; but ef you do, you'll
never speak ter him ag'in," Mrs.
Southall said, nodding her head.
Then, as Mary Frances began to sob,
she broke out wildly:
Lord God. Father almighty
What has Thy POI servant done that
this thing should come upon her ?
Haven't l been faithful i'm season an
out, goin' Sundays, rain er shine, ter
Thy po' temple ter sing Thy praises
an raise the tunes? An it seemed
You had give this child ter me that
wus childless. Have | made an idol
of her? Are you jealous that | must
lay her on the altar"
''Come away; we make her worse
by staying" Alan said, again taking
Mary Frances hand. The girl made
as if 10 renew her appeal, but shrank
from the set face and tense gaze that
fronted her. Bending, she laid her
lips lightly to one flaccid hand, then
went after her lover, who whispered,
exultingly: 'We'll have music for
our wedding, dear-an' ever after, !