Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1900-05-14

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as to the meaning and purpose of church
membership. 1t was such sermon as a
man can preach once in lifetime and
with enough in it for people to live on
| all through lifetime.
The service closed in a hush that was
slowly broken. People rose here and
there few at a time. There was re-
luctance in the movements of the peo-
pie that was very striking
Rose. however, walked straight out
the pew, and as she reached the aisle
she turned her head and beckoned to
Felicia By that time the congregation
was rising all over the church.
Felicia instantly answered her sis
ter's look
t'I'm going to stay" she said, and
Rose had heard her speak in the same
manner on other occasions and knew
that FeliciaS resolve could not be
changed. Nevertheless she went back
into the pew two or three steps and
faced her.
'EFelicia, she whispered, and there
was a flush of anger on her cheeks,
''this is folly. What can you do2 You
will bring disgrace upon the family,
What will father say? Come.
Felicia looked at her, but did not an
swer at once Her lips were moving
with petition that came from a depth
of feeling that measured a new life for
her. She shook her head.
'No; [ am going to stay, I shall
take the pledge l am ready to obey it.
You do not know why I am doing
this.
Rose gave her one look and then
turned and went out Of the pew and
down the aiale. She did not even stop
to talk with her acquaintance. Mrs.
DelanO was going out of the church
just as Rose stepped into the vestibule.
$50 you are not going to join the
doctors volunteer company Mrs. De-
lano asked in a queer tone that made
Rose redden
''No, Are you? It is simply asburd
l have always regarded the Raymond
movement as fanatical You know
Cousin Rachel keeps US posted about it. >
eyes; [ understand it is resulting in
great deal of hardship in many cases.
For my part. l believe DR., Bruce has
simply provoked a disturbance here. It
will result in splitting Nazareth Avenue
church You see if that ism t so There
are scores of people in the church who
are so situated that they can t take such
a pledge and keep it. l am one of
them. added Mrs. Delano as she went
out with Rose.
When Rose reached home, her father
was standing in his usual attitude be-
fore the open fireplace, smoking cigar.
vi. :,
came in alone
s'She staid to an after meeting, re-
piled Rose shortly. She threw off her
wraps and was going up stairs when
Mr.. Sterling called after her
IAN after meeting? What do you
mean2''
CDR. 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.
81 didn't expect that of DR.. Bruce.
Did any of the members stay?''
81 don't know, l didn' 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.
rtoir nd 40
the library, and still Mr. Sterling paced
the drawing room restlessly.
He had finally wearied of the walking
apparently and, throwing himself into
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 it. Just as she en-
tered the drawing room Rose came in
from the library.
Glow many staid?' she asked. Rose
was curious. At the same she was skep-
teal of the whole movement in Ray
mond
"About a hundred, 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
pledge?" he asked.
Felicia colored. Over her face and
neck the warm blood flowed as she an
swered, "You would not ask such
question, father, if you had been pres
ent at the meeting.' She fingered a
moment in the room, then asked to be
excused from dinner for awhile and
went up to see her mother.
No one ever knew what that inter-
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