Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-06-26
ATTHE CHURCH DOOR


When he started west from New York,
hs said he was glad he was going to get
I home in the autumn,
That indicated radical change of SEN
timent, During his five years soiourn
abroad he had frequently pictured his
home coming, and these charming vi
gnettes and pastels were invariably tinged
with the brightness Of the springtime.
His was an imaginative temperament, and
he had reveled in dreams of triumphal
marches through avenues and drives where
tender leaf and opening bud and fragile
bloom, all radiant with the perfume of a
newly awakened earth. nodded and smiled
at him from either side, while admiring
friends thronged round him with adula-
ton and praise in recognition Of the fame
and honor he had won. 1t was in that
season of the year that he had gone away,
and his fancy had evoked beatific visions
of reunion with old friends, in whose
company his genius should shine forth re-
splendent in contrast with their mediocre
attainments. They had been inspired by
no such heaven born aspirations as he, and
it was only fair to presume that they had
not passed the half way point of the ladder
On whose topmost rung he was securely
poised. That was the way he reasoned.
He had intended to come back the spring
pfter his pictures met with such decided
success III three European capitals, but his
sister frustrated his plans.
II am going to California for several
MONTHS" she wrote Don't come until
fall"
The long anticipated home coming was
gloomy enough to suit even his tastes,
which delighted in those extremes of life
that unite to form a harmonious whole.
There had been binding dashes and fur
ries of snow during the morning. By
noontime those sudden outbursts of the
storm had been superseded by "a strong,
steady wind that shrieked and whistled up
and down streets and alleys and whipped
into the faces of pedestrians the millions
of sharp pointed icy needles that leaked
out now and then from the leaden sky.
Then, be had left New York two days
sooner than he had planned, and his sister,
who made all her arrangements according
IT, schedule time, had gone out of town for
q few days, Consequently the telegram
which ho had sent prior to his departure
had failed to fulfill it's mission. There
was nc carriage awaiting him at the depot,
and the hired cab deposited him before a
house whose pretty mistress had flown and
taken tho spirit of hospitality with her.
AT O'Clock he found himself in the
rooms of a young man who had been his
boon companion in days gone by That
gentleman had been laid up with rheuma-
tisin for several weeks, and having been in
~. Il
he had but little to tell, but he was more
than anxious to listen to recital of the
achievements and plans of the other.
The young artist was reticent at first.
Presently the chimes Of St. Andrews pealed
out once more, and with their music came
desire to break through the barrier of re-
serve he had built round him after going
abroad and 10 talk freely with some one
"Ah, the chimesp' he said, stepping to
the window, which commanded view OF
the church near by "They do my heart
good Somehow their notes seem vibrant
with sadness today, but for all that they
are welcoming me home. And what mem
cries they awaken! Do you ever sec Mary
ConoyerY I wonder if she is organist
there now?"
II think she u.s. said tho rheumatic
sufferer feebly.
lyon asked me moment ago." said
the artist, what was my main object in
coming home. I'll tell you. l have never
acknowledged it to myself before. In fact,
don't know that it has ever been clearly
defined think the playing Of the chimes
must have cleared my brain of cobwebs
just now and brought out my objects and
desires clear cut as a cameo. | camo home
to marry Mary Conoyer."
To marry Mary Conover?" repeated the
rheumatic blankly. "Why, didn't know
you were engaged.
"We're not, and never were. But I'm
going to marry her. And the artist
smiled "You see, it was just like this
had always admired Mary, and before 60
ing away was on the point of proposing
marriage, but after due consideration de-
cided that it was wiser to remain unfetter-
ed. looked at it in this way: l knew
that with proper study and application my
future would be creditable one. In 9TH
or words, knew that L had it in me to
reach the summit of success and that
wealth. fame and power would be mine.
And didn't know whether Mary Conover
would bea fit mate for me when I attained
all that She was always the dearest best
and sweetest girl the Lord ever let live, but
she was such simple, quiet little thing
that thought might find it policy to
choose somebody better qualified to do
honor to my station. 1t has taken me years
to find out, but at last realize that there
is no other woman like Mary Conoyer. 1t
makes no difference what else may have,
without her life will be incomplete The
probation must have been pretty hard for
her, forced as she has been to conceal her
emotions, but won't keep her in suspense
much longer. Hello! There's something
going on over at the church. think III
60 over and slip inside and see how the old
place looks"
When he reached the streets, the chimes
rung ont the opening strains of ''Lohen-
grim and through the windows of the car
riage that had been driven up close to the
curb he could see that the bride had come
The unlimited guests still retained their
places waiting to catch one glimpse of the
bride.
And presently she came.
Half an hour later he went up to his
friends rooms.
II staid away too long" he said. 81
made mistake. A woman can't wait for.
ever. Chicago News.
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