The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-01-31
By Charles N. Sheldon.


4-Racnei went come here unless she
can do it and keep her pledge at the
same time, said Felicia after a pause.
s.What pledge?'' Mr.. Sterling asked
the question and then added hastily:
-.Oh, 7 know Yes; a very peculiar
thing that. Powers used to be friend
of mine. We learned telegraphy in the
same Office; made a great sensation
when he resigned and handed over that
evidence to the interstate commerce
commission, and he's back at his te-
legraphy again. There have been queer
doings in Raymond during the past
year. I wonder what DR.. Bruce thi;:
of it, on the whole. I must have a talk
with him about it.
4sHe breaches tomorrow, said Fell
cha. Perhaps he will tell Us something
about it. -
There was silence for minute. Then
Felicia said abruptly, as if she had
gone on with spoken thought to some
invisible hearer, "And what If he
should propose the same pledge to the
Nazareth Avenue church p
tsWho? What are you talking about?"
asked her father, little sharply.
.sAbout DR.. Bruce I say what if he
should propose to our church what Mr..
Maxwell proposed to his and ask for
volunteers who would pledge themselves
to do everything after asking the ques-
ton, What would Jesus do ?
.'There's no danger Of it, . said Rose,
RISING suddenly from the couch as the
tea bell rang.
ssIt's very impracticable movement
to my mind, said Mr.. Sterling sharply.
1<I understand from RachePs letter
that the church in Raymond is going
to make an attempt to extend the idea
of the pledge to the other churches If
they succeed, they will certainly, make
great changes in the churches and in
peoples lives, I" said Felicia.
4sOh, well, let's have some tea first, "
said Rose, walking into the dining
room. Her father and Felicia followed,
and the meal proceeded in silence Mrs.
Sterling had her meals served in her
room. MI. Sterling was preoccupied
He ate very little and excused himself
early, and, although it was Saturday
night, he remarked as he went out that
he would be down town late on some
special business.
Don't you think father looks very
much disturbed lately2' asked Felicia
little while after he had gone out.
.sOh, don't knowi I hadn t noticed
anything unusual, replied Rose. After
a silence she said: care you going to
the play tonight. Felicia? Mrs. Delano
viii be here at half past Z. think you
ought to 60 She will feel hurt if you
refuse. y
4.I'n 60. don't care about it. I can
see shadows enough without going to
the play.
CHATS dcseful remark for girl
10 years old to make. . replied Rose
@but then you're queer in your ideas
anyhow, Felicia If you re going up to
see mother, tell her I II run in after the
play if she is still awake.
Felicia went up TO see her mother
and remain with her until the Delano
carriage came. Mrs Sterling was wor-
ried about her husband She talked in
cessantly and was irritated by every re-
mark Felicia made. She would not list
eo to Felicia's attempts to read even a
part of Rachels letter. and when Fe-
iicia offered to stay with her for the
evening she refused the offer with a
good deal of positive sharpness.
So Felicia started off to the play not
very happy. but she was familiar with
that feeling, only sometimes she was
more unhappy than at other times. Her
feeling expressed itself tonight by q
withdrawal into herself When the
company was seated in the box and the
curtain was up. Felicia was back OF
the others and remained for the even
ing by herself Mrs. Deiano as chaperon
for half dozen young ladies under
stood Felicia Well enough to know that
she was queer, as Rose so often sad,
and she made no attempt to draw her
out Of the corner, ard SO Felicia really
experienced that night BY herself one
of the feelings that added to tie no
mentum that was Increasing the coming
on of her grea: crisis.
The play was an English melodrasaa
full of startling situations realistic
scenery and unexpected cEmaxes There
was one scene in the third act that i'm
pressed even Rose Sterling
1t was midnight on Blackfriars
bridge The Thames flowed dark and
forbidding below St Paul's rose
through the dim light, imposing. its
dome seeming to foat above the build
ings surrounding it The figure Of a
child came upon the bridge and stood
there for moment. peerlng about as
If looking for some one Several persons
were crossing the bridge. but in one Of
the recesses about midway OF the river
woman stood. leaning out over the
parapet with a strained agony OF face
and figure that told plainly Of her IN
II I,i lv