Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-12-15

cfinging with almost 'viSiols. tangible
yearning TO the one hope she had found
listening to prayer and appeal and con-
fession all about her like one who was
a part of new creation, yet fearful of
her right to share in it fully.
The tent had been crowded As on
some other occasions, there was more
or less disturbance on the outside Of the
tent. This had increased as the night
rot To prolong the service Once in
awhile a shout as from large crowd
swept into the tent. The returns from
the election were beginning to come in.
and the Rectangle had emptied every
lodging house, den AMI hovel into the
streets.
In spite of the distractions, Rachel S
singing kept the crowd in the tent from
dissolving. There were a dozen or more
conversions Finally the crowd became
restless, and Gray closed the service,
remaining little while with the con-
verts.
Rachel, Virginia, Loreen. Rollin and
the doctor, President Marsh and Henry
Maxwell went out together, intending
to go down to their usual waiting place
for their car AS they came out Of the
tent they at once were aware that the
Rectangle was trembling on the edge of
a drunken riot, and as they pushed
through the gathering mobs In the mar
row streets they began TO realize that
they themselves We're objects of great
attention.
There he is, the bloke in the tall
hat He's the leader - shouted rough
voice President Marsh, with his erect,
commanding figure. was conspicuous in
the little company.
How has the election gomez 1t is
too early to know the result yet, ism I
it, He asked the question aloud, and
a man answered: They say second
and third wards have gone almost solid
for no license. If that is SO. the whisky
men have been beaten.
THANK God l hope it is true, ex.
claimed Henry Maxwell Marsh, we
are in danger here. Do You realize our
situation? We ought to get the ladies
to a place of safety.
That is true. said Marsh gravely.
AT that moment a shower Of stones and
ether missiles fell over them The mar
row street and sidewalk in front Of them
were completely cholled with the worst
elements Of the Rectangle.
This looks serious, " said Maxwell
With Marsh and Rollin and DR. West
he started to go forward through the
small opening, Virginia, Rachel and
Loreen following close and sheltered by
the men, who now realized something
of their danger The Rectangle was
drunk and enraged. 1t saw in Daniel
Marsh and Henry Maxwell two of the
leaders in the election contest who had
perhaps robbed them of their beloved
saloon.
Down with the aristocrats" shout
ed shrill voice, more like woman 5
than n mans.
A shower Of mud and stones followed
Rachel remembered afterward that
Rollin jumped directly in front of her
and received on his head and chest a
number of blows that would probably
have struck her if he had not shielded
her from them.
And just then, before the police
reached them, Loreen darted forward
at the side of Virginia and pushed her
aside, looking mp and screaming. 1t
was so sudden that no one had time to
catch the face Of the one who did it.
But ont of the upper window of a room
over the very saloon where Loreen had
come out a week before some one had
thrown heavy bottle. 1t struck Loreen
on the head, and she fell TO the ground.
Virginia turned and instantly kneeled
down by her The police officers by that
time had reached the little company.
Donald Marsh raised his arm and
shouted over the howl that was begin
ming to rise from the wild beast in the
mob.
"Stop You We killed womanl"
The announcement partly sobered the
crowd
"Is it true?" Henry Maxwell asked
as DR.. West kneeled on the other side OF
Loreen. supporting her
"She's dying said DR. West briefly.
LOIetu Optltl utl " Is anu sllIl4tu a
Virginia. Virginia wiped the blood
from her face and then bent over and
kissed her. Loreen smiled again, and
the next moment her soul was in para
| disc.
And yet this is only one woman out
Of thousands killed by this drink devil
Crowd back now, ye sinful men and
women in this filthy street, Let this
august dead form be borne through
your stupefed sobered ranks. She was
one of your own children. The Rectan
| gle had stamped the image OF the beast
on her. Thank him who died for sin
ners that the other image of n new sou
now shines out of her pale clay Crowd
| back Give them rooml Let her pas:
reverently, followed and surrounded by
the weeping, awestruck company OF
Christians. Ye killed her. ye drunken
murderers And yet, and yet o Chris
Il