Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1897-02-20
AT ST. KEVERNE.

Keverne, in Cornwall, had o new REQ.
tor, young and talented man, remark
able at his early age for learning and piety.
To this desirable living the young rector
brought his only sister, orphaned almost
from her birth. Ada Thornton had no
relative living save this darling brother,
who, in her opinion, was the best, the
wisest of men. Nor was she wrong.
Yet there came time when Ada's su
premacy In her brothers affections seemed
to be threatened. In vain had rich and
titled ladies stopped to solicit tho hand
some rector's attentions, but in one of his
parochial visits among the poorer class Of
his hearers he met with a lady whom he
thought superior to any he had known.
Marion Livermure rented two or throo
modest rooms for herself and little half
| sistor-a child born when Marion was nl-
ready woman grown and who like her.
| self, never knew mothers love. Like
Gerald she had devoted herself to the or
| phan sister.
it was onsa Saturday evening that he
had ventured, after hearing an animated
culopium upon her by Ada, TO disclose to
tho latter his preference. and her reply
convinced him that he had chosen wisely,
so far Gt least as concerned his sister On
that day he had solved all his doubts of
Marion's love Dnd had talked of the mar
riagc day, begging her tn fix upon an early
period, and frankly and Candidly, with.
out any attempt at hlushinR or hesitation,
she set an early day in the following
month.
The Sabbath morning rose bright and
scrono-tho very sweetest rcposc of nature
In her June ma9rifconcc The spire of
st. keverne loomcd up fair and straight
into the blue ether, and the merry bells
rang out in the clear summer air sending
a thrill of pleasure TO every one who heard
the joyful sound.
Soon the rcctory door opened and Gerald
and his sister walked arm in arm to the
church. As they entered the little chanccl
Gerald remarked how gioriously the sun
shone upon the beautifully stained win.
dows.
But for all that, your reverence will
find that there will be storm before
night" said an old man near him.
Nay, Lawton," no answered pleasant.
ly. You shall not spoil this delightful
day by croaking of what it may end in.
The lurishiUnCrs swarmCd in, and the
church was soon flied to overlooking. II
Chunccd of all days, that he took for his
text TINT portion of the beautiful Twenty.
third psalm, "Yea, though walk through
the valley Of the shadow Of death, l will
fear no evil, for thou art with mo; thy rod
and thy staff they comfort me-.
What untold depths Of tenderness, Of
flinl love, of sweet dependence upon the
|, Father were in Gerald's words!
People sat with clasped hands and lips
apart and eyes that bore witness to their
sympathy in the tears that rained from
them. In their deep emotion they saw
not that the church had grown dark since
they walked in from the bright sunlight.
Shadows deep and heavy gathered around
them, and the faces of minister and people
grew dim to each other, but they knew not
| tnt.t ft was aught but tears that obscured
| their vision.
Another moment, and then long, long
rattle of heavens lOudest artillery, crash
upon crash, electrified the whole crowd.
There was silence no longer. Shricks and
prayers and groans were intermingled, and
many fell down in fits on the floor of their
| pews, while others were struggling to get
out.
Marion Livermore and Ada Thornton
lay dpon the seat apparently liteless. A
strong sulphurous smell was pcrceptible
to the sense and also that of burning linen.
And now, from the roof of st. Keverne
ratified down the enormous stones compos-
ing 1t. Down they came into every pew
In the church. some oil them, as was after
ward ascertained, weighing over lOO
pounds, the noise OF their falling drown
ing that of the hail that had been crashing
against the window panes. IL was mo.
| ment of terrible excitement for all who
were conscious Gerald came down from
the desk to where lay the two unconscious
beings whom most no loved amid the
wreck OF the WOODWORK and the heaps OF
fallen stones. Every moment 1t seemed