Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-11-01
When Rose reached home, her father

was standing in his usual attitude be,
fore the open fireplace, smoking a cigar
"Where is Felicia3" he asked as Rose
came in alone
'She staid to an after meeting, re-
piled Rose shortly She threw of hel
wraps and was going up stairs when
Mr. Sterling called after her:
IAN after meetingf What do you
mean3'
"Dr. Bruce asked the church to take
the Raymond pledge"
Mr.. Sterling took his cigar out Of his
mouth and twirled It nervously be-
tween his fingers
II didn't expect that Of DR. Bruce
Did any Of the members stayf'
81 don't know. didn't" replied
Rose. and she went up stairs, leaving
her father standing in the drawing
room.
After a few minutes he went to the
window and stood there looking out at
the people driving on the boulevard
His 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.
He had finally wearied Of the walking
apparently and, throwing himself into
q chair. was breeding over something
deeply when Felicia came in.
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 1t. Just as she en-
tered the drawing room Rose came In
from the library.
"How many staidH" she asked Rose
was curious. At the same she was skep-
tical Of the whole movement In Ray
mond
about a hundred, I" replied Felicia
gravely Mr.. Sterling looked surprised
Felicia was going out Of the room he
called to her
"Do you really mean to keep the
pledge2" 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 1t is also certain that Fe-
licia had never known such an expert
ence and never would have thought Of
sharing it with her mother If 1t had not
been for the prayer the evening before
Another fact is also known Of Felicia g
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 1t, as one
might hesitate to attempt description
Of wonderful sunset to person who
never talked about anything but the
weather When that Sunday in the
Sterling mansion was drawing to q
close and the soft. warm lights through
out the dwelling were glowing through
the great windows. in q corner Of her
room whe1e the light was obscure Fe-
licia kneeled. and when she raised her
face and turned it toward the light It
was the face Of q 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
They had been talking but little
while when the bell rang, and Dr..
Bruce, going to the door, exclaimed as
he opened it. "It is you. Edwardl
Come inl"
There came into the hall 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 a 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. II heard Of 1t this
afternoon. could not resist the desire
to see you about it tonight. "
"I'm glad you came. Dr.. Bruce sat
near the bishop and laid hand on his
shoulder. "You understand what this
means EdwardP''
II think do-yes; I am sure" The
bishop spoke very slowly and thought
fully. He sat with his hands clasped to-