Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-03-16
A LESSON IN LENT.

1t was Ash Wednesday, and the even
ing service had just drawn to a close.
The congregation began to dispense, but
here and there little groups fingered to
exchange enthusiastic comments on the
sermon Of the new rector, whose elo-
Quence was doing so much to recall back
sHders to their pews at st. Polycarp's.
Rich Mrs. lockwood who never put
less than a dollar bill in the plate, and
whose opinions were heard with respect.
becoming the center Of one gathering, did
not hesitate to air her convictions that he
would end in q bishops gown, and as for
the maiden ladies, moral Caryatides hold
ing up the dignity of the church, they
could not find adjectives enough to eX-
press their emotions. Was it any wonder
that the yeStrymen murmured apprOba-
ton: They avoided looking each other
III the eye lest they should show how
deeply they had been moved by the young
clerGymans ardent appeal to their better
natures.
Even Peter Sargent was slower than
usual in hobbling his way to his carriage,
for he had felt the spell of the eager
words till his cold heart kindled anew
with the ideals and aspirations of youth.
No real warmth was there; the fire had
long ago burned itself ont. This was emily
dying flicker among the ashes, and
could not last, yet in its glow the old
cynIc caught momentary glimpse OF life
as he had once dreamed and meant it to
be, and his caustic epigrams were tenn
pered tor many day in consequence.
Ohsequious people stopped to speak to
him as he limped along, for in his role
of eccentric celebrity, he exercised an
awful fascination over lesser mOrtals, but
one and all were dismissed alike with an
Of-h2nd nod. He was no mood for
oh hn m,
especially pOrtentOus frown for the ami
hlation of NeighbOr Elisha Green of the
Leather Scrap company, who was bear
Ing down upon him, when a firm foot
step approached from the rear, and Ran
dali Wye, Invested of his priestiy robes,
appeared
The frown relaxed and became 4 grim
and Wintry smile.
How do you suppose, young man." he
said abruptly. taking the others out
stretched hand in his chilly fingers, chat
you viii feel about these things forty
years hence, when you have tried living
up 10 your impossibIy lofty standards %
Are they impossible, sir?''
The keen eyes under the shaggy eye
broWs gazed into the rector's boyish
face and marked how haggard it had
grown of late.
For poor finite beings, [ should say
yes. Outside influences come between
Us and them; they grow vague and dim;
they end by fading away in the distance.
By and by we forget that they ever ex-
isted''
But we can defy those influences, M
Sargent" Randall held his head up like
q war-horse going into battle. The light
fell strongly on his fnely-cut features,
an effect which the old man did not fail
to note, for he had an artists soul
He laughed harshly.
Can we? Wait until we meet them.
ON matt demi-dieu ct Ton meurt eDicier'
can be said Of most of us. However
should like to talk at length with you
me. We can chat comfortably before the
hre, and perhaps have a bite of supper"
1t was an invitation for which many a
brilliant man Of the world had sighed in
vain.
Thank you; not tonight. I cannot to-
night"
Peter shrugged his shoulders.
Am | an outside influence to be defied
or IS it just the usual notifying Of the
flesh on the first of Lent?''
Randall made no reply, for at that
moment they had reached the porch, and
out Of its shadows stepped very beauti-
full young woman, who turned as if by q
tacit understanding to him. Before he
could speak, however, Mr. Sargent inter
posed, bringing his cane smartly down
upon the tagged floor
We'll. well, well, Miss Milly, how's
this? Where's your maid?
AT home and sound asleep in my dress
ing room. | warrant you, uncle!' was the
bithe rejoinder, given with great non
.chalance
Then you had better drive back with
me-"
NO, dear uncle. Do you see this rare
moonlight? Think how the beeches along
the avenue will stand out against the sky,
and do not be surprised if l prefer to
walk with Mr.. Wye, who l am sure will
take me under his wing
The old man glanced sharply from her
to the rector, who could no longer be
called pale. A vivid flush crimsoned his
very brow.
Certainly" he hesitated, eff Miss
Floyd wishes [ shall only be too glad to
take her home"
She'll have her own way" grumbled
her uncle. Il don't understand the new
variety of woman. Don't encourage her,
don't approve of her, but particularly
don't thwart her. She is dangerous
enemy to make. When the parental
thunderbolt falls, Camilla, remember /
tried to save YOU"
He said no more. Randall helped him
down the steps in an embarrassed silence,
and as he shut the door of the brougham
with courteous good night, sir" he was
conscious of 4 sarcastic twinkle in those
sharp eyes.
InereS an ln1uence tor him, and
worldly one. too!' muttered Peter bowl
ing along the road behind his Russian
horses. 'Well. let him fight it for awhile
and see where he comes out with his noble
ideals. On matt demi-dieu ct Pon meurt
epicier.' 1t is too true for most of u.s.
In the loneliness and darkness of the
luxurious little carriage he leaned back
on the cushions with something like
sgr0an.
In the meantime his niece had started