The Princeton union., 1899-10-19

window and stood there looking ont at
the people driving on the boulevard.
His l3 cigar had gone out, but he still fin-$
gered it nervously. Then he turned
from the window and walked up. and
down the room. "A servant stepped
across the hall and announced dinner,
and he told her to wait for Felicia.
Rose came down stairs and went into
the Library, and still Mr. Sterling paced
the drawing room restlessly.
Hee. he had finally wearied Of the walking
apparently and, throwing himself into
a chair, was brooding over something
deeply when Felicia came in. H.
he rose and faced her. Felicia was
evidently very much moved by the
meeting from which she had just come.
At the same time she did not wish to
talk too much about it. Just as she en-
tered the drawing room Rose came in
from the library. = ~
- How many staid p she asked. Rose
was curious. At the same she was skep-
tical OF the whole movement in Ray
mond,
''About a hundred" replied Felicia
grayely. Mr.. Sterling looked surprised.
Felicia was going out Of the room. He
called to her.
"Do you really mean to keep the
pledge?" he asked.
Felicia colored. Over her face and
neck the warm blood flowed as she an
swered, ''You would not ask such a
question, father, if you had been pres
ent at the meeting" She fingered a
moment in the room, then asked to he
excused from dinner for awhile and
Went up to see her mother.
No one ever knew what that inter-
view between Felicia and her mother
was, It is certain that she must have
told her mother something of the spir-
itual power that had awed every person
present in the company of disciples from
Nazareth Avenue church who faced DR..
Bruce in that meeting after the morn
ing service. It is also certain that Fe-
icia had never known such an expert
ence and never would have thought of
sharing it with her mother if it had not
been for the prayer the evening before.
Another fact is also known of Felicia's
experience at this time. When she
finally joined her father and Rose at
the. table, she seemed unable to tell
them much about the meeting There
was reluctance to speak of it, as one
might hesitate to attempt description
of a wonderful sunset to person who
never talked about anything but the
weather. When that Sunday in the
Sterling mansion was drawing to a
close and the soft, warm lights through
out the dwelling were glowing through
the great windows, in a corner of her
room where the light was obscure Fe-
icia kneeled, and when she raised her
face and turned it toward the light it
was the face of woman who had al
ready defined for herself the greatest
issues of earthly life.
That same evening, after the Sunday
evening service, the Rev. Calvin Bruce,
D. D., of Nazareth Avenue church, was
talking over the events of the day with
his wife. They were of one heart and
mind in the matter and faced their new
future with all the faith and courage
Of new disciples. Neither was deceived
as to the probable results of the pledge
to themselves or to the church. -.t
They had been talking but little
while when the bell rang, and DIR.
Bruce, going to the door, exclaimed as
he opened it: ''It is you. Edward!
Come in!"
There came into the hall a command
ing figure. The bishop was of extraor-
diary height and breadth of shoulder,
but of such good proportions that there
was no thought of ungainly or even Of
unusual size. The impression the bishop
made on strangers was first that of
great health and then of great affection.
He came into the parlor and greeted
Mrs Bruce, who after a few moments
was called out of the room. leaving the
two men together.
The bishop sat in deep easy chair
before the open fire. There was just
enough dampness in the early spring of
the year to make an open fire pleasant
"Calvin, you have taken very seri-
GUS step today" he finally said, lifting
his large dark eyes to his old college
classmates face. ''I heard of it this
afternoon. I could not resist the desire
to see you about it tonight
'trm glad you came" Dr. Bruce sat
near the bishop and laid hand on his
shoulder. ''You understand what this
means, 5Edward?''
II think I do-yes; am sure.' The
bishop spoke very slowly and thought
fully. He sat with his hands clasped to-
gether. Over his face, marked with
lines of conservation and service and
the love of men, a shadow crept, a
shadow not caused by the freight.
Again he lifted his eyes toward his old
friend.
Calvin, we have always understood
each other. Ever since our paths led US
in different ways in church life we have
walked together in Christian fellow
ship"
ut is true" replied DR.. Bruce, with
an emotion he made no attempt to con-
ceal or subdue. ''Thank God for it. I
prize your fellowship moro than any
mans I have always known what it
meant, though it has always been more
NJ II