Waterbury Democrat., 1901-03-08

huildink was thronged in all its parts by the men and their families. In the evening Stuart had planned, with the help Of Andrew ard Eric, to have some exercises in the nature of dedicatory services in the great hall. He had gone down early, leaving Rhena with Louise, who had been more restless than usual that day. She had, as the doctor thought she might, fingered on through the summer, gradually failing. No one had noted her condition more carefully than Rhena. She staid with her until she became quiet, and at last left her in charge of nurse and went down to join Stuart at the hall.
 The miners band had been preparing for some time, at Stuart''s request. to take part on this occasion. They marched into the hall early and took a position on the platform. The Sal. vation Army also proudly beat it's way up the broad aisle, headed by the ma. jor, who, while in doubt as to the ex. pediency of moving into his new quar- ters without first breaking some of the furniture to make things look just right. had finally consented to try it as it was, and if it was-too good, Stuart had arranged for the lease ot the old army hall again.
 The doctor had been caught after a long chase up into the hills, and Stuart had insisted on his being on the plat form, but could not prevail on him to offer any remarks.
 'Fm no speaker. Don't ask me, Stuart. If any of the audience are sick or feel bad after you and Eric and Andrew have talked to 'em, I'll do my best for 'em; but I would only perform an operation on their skulls without using an anesthetic if tried to talk. It would be too painful for us all. I'll agree to yell at any good points the rest of you make, if can see 'eTu without a microscope"
 Andrew spoke briefly oA ttle value of the building and its opAer11nities for Christian service, dwelling on the fact that it was not money t:4e i sTi-1rld make the plan successful, but ure Christian men and women, who put their hearts into the work that the hall was to represent
 Eric followed with q very strong speech. He was coming out of his dis appointment and bitterness, and was almost as popular with the men as be- fore. If he develops he will be stron- ger leader than he once ever thought of being. He declared his intention of still remaining where he was in the mines. At the close he took advan- tage of his opportunity to say some beautiful things of Stuart.
 Stuart was the last speaker and it was an occasion of lifetime for any man. He was profoundly moved as he faced that audience. It was the same audience lie had seen at the meet ings in the square. at the railroad sta ton, at the park and in the hall at De Mott, the same rough, stolid, iInpaS sive crowd, with here and there a face that lighted up at some human touch as Andrew and Eric had moved it. It was the same, and yet it was different. To Stuart it spoke of opportunities. He saw humanity so differently now.
 He spoke well: very simply and in manly fashion. Rhena, proud and hnp- py, felt that admiration for this strong, handsome man, her husband, which always adds to the depth and beauty of the love of man and wife More than once the tears came as she lis tSiiSu lo lIC nos hSlttt'It tClACd, NolClu9 in very plain fashion his great desire for the common brotherhood. The men listened with the most breathless inter- est. When he finished, there was q hearty cheer, which was caught up again and again, while Stuart, oyer- come by his feelings, sat back and coy- cred his face with his hands.
 It seemed q very natural thing then fer REcna to asi: all to bow their heads during q prayer. It seemed to the people that NotAing could more titly close such a day and such an occasion than Rhena herself kneeling there; with all the Salvation Army kneeling, as they used to do, around her. She had never prayed So earnestly and truly for the life abundantly to be given to them all. Even while Rhena was still upon her knees, the audience, without knowing all the reason for it. felt that this building was consecrated in very solemn and profound sense to the humanity in honor of which it was named. And Andrew, seeing that the time had come to close the services, pronounced the benediction.
 At the same hour in which Rhena had knelt down before that great silent crowd of miners the doors. of the draw ing room in Aunt Royals mansion in New York were being thrown open to one of the first events of the society sea- on. There were gathered the butterflies of the world diamonds and silks, sweet music and laughter; vanity of vanity adorned with the impressive power al ways apparent in a display of rich leisure danced and ate and drank and gossiped as if the world was all play and the main business of every man and woman was to be as free from trouble and sacrifice as possible. Aunt Royal was at her best; the trip abroad had given her jaded nerves a needed repose and she was ready now for an- other season of gayety.
 "By the way" asked 8 young man during the evening, who had been abroad several months, where is that | charming niece of yours Louise Dun-