The silver star., 1900-03-23

MS own. and he shifted !. .lttic farther
forward, with friendly smile. II tell
you." he declared, 81 can yell n heap
iouder'n you-uns; JUS listen!
Brother Millikin did not cease to
pray. A crowd Of men gathered around
the newcomer. trying to puli him to
the ground, but he struck at them with
blows which sent them reeling down
around the horse; then the immense
volume of his voice poured forth again
and he brandished his arms wildly an
II ne were trying to brush the minis
ter's voice out Of the way. Brother
Millikin's prayer struggled on. and the
thunder pealed.
The cloud had risen so that 1t was
Just above the tree, when a flasb
leaped down from 1t, tearing on the
bows. and Flowing its way straight to
the earth. Brother Millikin and WILEY
Sides and all the people near dropped
as If dead, while some who were far
ther away stood dazed and helpless.
breathing the strange odor OF the light
hlng. and hearing the horse gather
himself after a moment of stupor and
rush away through darkness into
which the overthrown torches sent no
light. The tree was shattered.
AT last the rain gushed down: the
people who had fallen began raising
themselves to their elbows, and those
who had been less stunned went about
among the others. sheltering burning
matches between their hands and bend
ing anxiously over still, white faces
which showed no signs Of life.
Brother Millikin was the last to open
his eyes. His lips moved, but only a
whisper came from them. He tried
again, struggling to a sitting posture
IN alarm. Still he could not speak, and
look of awed comprehension came
INTO his face. He lifted shaking
hand, pointing high into the darkness,
and then let it fall upon his lips. The
shocked faces of his people bent close
above him.
i can never preach again" he whis-
pered; sob shook him, and he closed
his eyes.
Wiley Sides pressed up to the minis
ter. his big face working with SYM
pathy. STOPPING down, he put a hand
on Brother Millikin's arm. Say he
began, Il can yell a heap louder'n you
uns ever could, an I'd been yellin' un-
der this tree long before you-uns ever
started. You can jus speak low in my
ear what you wanter say, an 1 bet l
can make it heard"
1t was a sincere offer, made in all
confidence and kindlines of heart.
Brother Millikin recoiled at first, and
some one was about to pull Wiley out
of the way, when the minister leaned
toward him and whispered sharply in
his ear: Repent"
Wiley drew back as II shot, and then
foolish smile spread over his face.
He did not dare to meet the ridicule
Of refusing to listen to Brother Millikin
when he had invited him to speak.
That's a good beginnin'." he said,
complacently; shall say that out, er
do you wanter tell me some mo-. so'st
| can git 1t all Off to onct?"
Brother Millikin beckOned him near
er; the people gathered, watching their
faces. Brother Millikin's eyes shone
with an intense ferver, and he seemed
to be breathing his very soul into Wi
ley's ear, but Wiley's big face was
blank, except for the smile that lurked
around his half-opened mouth. After
q while the smile vanished. and a
frightened look came in its place. This
was the first time he had listened to a
sermon.
Swiftly as the rain rushed down out
of the black sky, the holy warnings
and promises poured into Wiley's con-
sciousness until thrill of fear went
through him: he forgot the people who
alone with Brother Millikin's insistent
whispering and the awful God OF night
and storm. He was as frightened as a
child in the dark. and all his terror
broke out in a groan.
Then Brother Millikin's face changed
to tenderness. and he whispered Of
hope and pity. and Of the open door
through which all who lay their sins
aside may pass. He told Of the un-
changing love that forgives more than
seventy times seven, and Of the Joy OF
hearts Mt peace with God.
One by one the people who could
hear nothing and see little had slipped
away. but those who were still watch
Ing saw Wiley's expression change. az
II It were rejecting the light in Brother
Millikin's eyes. 1t would have been
hard to tell how much the big man un-
derstood. and how much he had be-
come the tool Of Brother Mlllikins fer
vor. but no one questioned his entrance
into grace.
The wind rustled through tho leaves
and branches Of the shattered tree. and
people felt their hearts stirring In an
swer to the look upon the two pale
faces In the center Of the light. At
last Brother Miilikin rose. tremulously.
and stretched out his hands. calling the
attention Of those near by. He bowed