The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-02-06
Original Story.
BETTER THAN GOLD.
BY ERMINA G. STRAY.


TREVOR LORNE came down
i the pulpit steps, and stood at
the foot of the rostrum, smilingly
receiving the congratulations OF the
congregation; for he knew he had
perached mastery sermon that
morning, and it was hardly human ma
ture not it be pleased when told of it.
Trevor Lorne could doanything we'll,
Whatever he undertook was sure to
succeed, whether reading and i'm
personating to please an audience
and raise money for the church, or
preaching a sermon to point mems
hayward hearts to Christ; and Trevor
Lorne knew it, and rather reveled in
his power to do so many things and
do them well.
The church was crowded, for every
body in Glendale who knew Trevor
Lorne at all, was anxious to hear him
preach.
"That man can do anything"
Mrs. Smith said, as her husband
helped her on with her outer wrap,
for it was mid winter and the day
was cold.
"Yes," Mr.. Smith, observed, 81
believe he can, and | know CT only
one other person in Glendale who is
his equal"
"Mr. Thornton?"
"No; certainly not. Thornton never
went into everything. I mean Miss
Ross"
"Oh! Sidna Rossl Well she doesn't
dabble ia everything, now, as she
used to. But let's speak to Mr..
Lorne before we.go home"
Mr.. Lorne shook hands right and
left and bowed and smiled, and won
dered if he hadn't better go into the
ministry. He had only supplied
this morning, and was not an or.
dained pastor; but just now, it was
the most alluring path his feet had
ever essayed to press. There was so
much cordial good nature among the
people, and Mr.. Lorne was very sus-
ceptible to kindness and good ma
ture; and yet very faint cloud was
rising in his sky to mar the happi-
ness of the day.
Just over by the organ, Sidna
Ross stood pushing in the stops,
closing down the top, and later gath
ering up the books. Plainly Sidna
Ross did not mean to come near
him, and he cared more for Sidna
Ross's opinion than for all the rest
of Glendale. Well, perhaps she did
not desire to express it before all the
congregation; she would see him
later; but when Sidna Ross went out
with very determined air, the cloud
had overspread the sky, and throwing
on his topcoat and hat Trevor Lorne
made bolt for the door.
The people were pouring out of
the church. Some getting into their
conveyances and driving away; those
who lived in the village walking
home or stopping in little knots and
groups, inside and outside the church
for last word.
Trevor Lorne looked up and down
the street. Yes, there she was, look
ing neither to the right nor left, but
going home. With a last nod and |
smiling goodbye Trevor Lorne went
down the church steps, and his long
limbs soon took him striding over the
pavement in way that showed lac
plainly meant to overtake Sidna Ross
and demand an explanation of her
inexplicable conduct.
Turning the street, Miss Ross, with
a backward glance, saw him coming,
and stopping, waited until he came
up
"You want to speak with me, Mr..
Lorne," she said gravely, as though
she had known all about it, as indeed |
she had,
'Why did you run away without
speaking to met" he asked, as he
came up and they continued down
the street.
"Without congratulatiDg you, you
mean" Sidna replied quietly. 81
thought you would have enough of
all that in the church to turn your
head, without any aid from me"
Mr.. Lorne looked at her sharply
for a moment and then, NOV, Sidna,