Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-01-04
AT ST. KEVERNE.

AL 81. kENERNE.
Keverne, in Cornwall, had new rec
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 a time when Ada's SUI
premacy in her brothers. affections seemed
to be threatened In vain had rich and
titled ladies stopped to solicit the hand
some rector's attentions, but in one of his
parochial visits among the poorer class of
his hearers he met with lady whom he
thought superior to any he had known.
Marion Liyermore rented two or three
modest rooms for herself and a little half
sister-a child born when Marion was al
ready woman grown and who, like her
self, never knew mothers love. Like
Gerald, she had devoted herself to the or
phan sister.
1t was on Saturday evening that he
had yentured, after hearing an animated
eulogium upon her by Ada, to disclose to
the latter his preference, and her reply
convinced him that he had chosen wisely,
SO far at least as concerned his sister. On
that day he had solved all his doubts OF
Marion's love and had talked of the mar
riage day, begging her to fix upon an early
period, and frankly and candidly, with
out any attempt at blushing or hesitation,
she set an early day in the following
month.
The Sabbath morning rose bright and
serene-the very sweetest repose OF nature
in her June magniflcence. The spire of
St. Keverne doomed up fair and straight
into the blue ether, and the merry bells
rang out in the clear summer air, sending
thrill of pleasure to every one who heard
the joyful sound.
Soon the rectory door opened and Gerald
and his sister walked arm in arm to the
church As they entered the little chancel
Gerald remarked how gloriously 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, he answered pleasant
ly "You shall not spoil this delightful
day by croaking of what it may end in. F."
The parishioners swarmed in, and the
church was soon filled to overlooking. 1t
CHANGED, of all days, that he took for his
text that portion Of the beautiful Twenty
third psalm, "Yea, though walk through
the valley of the shadow of death, will
fear no evil, for thou art with me; thy rod
and thy staff they comfort me-"
What untold depths of tenderness, of
filial love- of sweet dependence upon the
Father were in Gerald 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
b them, and the faces Of minister and people
grew dim to each other, but they knew not
that it 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. Shrieks 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 upon the seat apparently lifeless. A
strong, sulphurous smell was perceptible
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 of them, as was after
ward ascertained weighing over 1OO
pounds, the noise of their falling drown
ing that of the hail that had been crashing
against the window panes. 1t 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 he loved amid the
wreck of the woodwork and the heaps Of
fallen stones. Every moment 1t seemed
certain that death was near to oil. The
heat, the suffocating smell, the great
stones falling not only inside, but threat,
ening the heads of all who were blindly
trying to escape from the church, all made
1t evident enough that the danger was ter
rible and imminent
A great struggle was tearing the heart
Of the rector. Which of those helpless
women should he try to bear away in safe
tyr 1t seemed hardly possible. when HI
looked at the torn roof above, that he coulG
be able to return for the one he must leave
Both were insensible, perhaps dead
The struggle lasted but a moment Tht
- .x,,c hoo nj; his cicta fhrOllOh th(
ranks Of flying people who were endeavor
ing to escape
Weeks after this pale image that wa
once Gerald Thornton lay upon low
couch at the rectory, the mere shadow O.
what he was. All that time he had beef
unconscious
When he raised his head, a dear frient
sat beside him, young man who hat
once yielded to temptation, but whom
Gerald's ministry had rescued from ruin
He grasped the pale, thin hand of his min
lister with fervor and gladness tina
found its way to Geralds heart.
care they all gone, Edwinf' he whis
pered, almost calmly, for he had been com
muning with the CONSIDER of Spirits dur
ing his moments of tearfulness.
mot all, = answered his friend. CAR
you able to hear cheerful newsp"
What conflict was in his heart! M
one save Ada had known of his attach
ment to Marion Livermore. Perhaps Ada
then, was living, and another loved on
had been taken. But before he could an
swer Ada glided into his outstretchet
arms, and close behind her came Marion.
Over that meeting we must draw veil
Such parting must surely make tn
meeting too sacred for witness. TIL,
church Of st. Keverne was duly repaired
and in a few weeks the desk was supplied
by the rector himself, while in the sea
below sat the rector's sister and his wife
-.-Npyv York News