The Worthington advance., 1901-04-05

'O) GUlld were Qcc-
Grating the chancel of beautiful old
St. Stephens. They had banked the
window sills with moss, in which
flowers were imbedded, and they had
woven a leafy screen, which they had
raised above the altar, and in which
sprays of blossoms were so placed as
to form that most sacred emblem, the
cross. Meanwhile the florist had
brought number of palms and other
large leaved plants and massed them
in wall of green on either side. Now
while twilight fell the girls were ar
ranging the cut flowers, Pot-plants
and long wreaths of smilax which
were to make pulpit desk and font
alike proclaim the gladness of the
Easter-tide.
"The world itself keeps Easter day."
trilled Louise .Mattison, as she stepped
back to study the effect of her work.
"There, girls" she added, in tone of
satisfaction chow do you like the
font?"
"Lovely!" cried an admiring chorus.
"Now let us go,' said Pauline judi
son. 1--WE are all through and we
must hurry home or it will be pitch
dark"
I'VE really should not have stayed
80 late as this" said Antoinette Ward.
81 shall be frightened to death to go
home. Did you know that one of the
patients escaped from the asylum to-
day?"
"Mercy, Antoinette! why didn't you
tell us before? Are you sure it's
true"
Eyes; DR.. Barton telephoned to papa
about it. They can't find trace of
him. It's that man who was so pow
crfully affected by your voice, Louise,
the day you sang at the asylum. Do
you remember? The one with such
a dreadfully disfigured face"
"Remember!" cried Louise, with a
shudder; ''shall ever forget? The
creature still haunts my dreams!"
1--WE are in no danger while we have
Louise" said Antoinette, with a some
what forced gayety. ''This very man
who has escaped was raving, locked,
in padded cell, the day we were out
there, and the sound of Louise's voice
in the hall as she sang quieted him so
that they were able. to let him out.
She sang again expressly for him, and
you should have seen him, sitting
Epellbound, drinking in every note.
Should we meet him we'll just let
Louise"
"Thank you," said Louise. dryly.
"but have sung my last to lunatics.
That one experience will suffice for
the balance of my life. See here, girls,
do you think these roses will last if
they are left in the warm church all
night, or would it be best to put them
downstairs?"
"Oh, they'll do all right up here,''
said Pauline. There is no time for
further fussing. Do let's be off, for
it's supper time, and, anyway, I'm
afraid to stay in this dark place SO
late"
'Come along, Louise" said Antoin.
ette,' as the little group passed down
the aisle; "you and Grace both 60 my
way"
mot tonight, my dear,' Louise re-
piled. Sorry to disappoint you, but
told mother when left home that I'd
spend the night with Aunt Libbie
Do you know she added, as they
reached the vestibule, I'm little
worried about those roses. believe
III just 60 back and carry them down
into the basement. Good night, girls,
she called, as she turned back into the
church. "Don't wait for me. I'm not
q bit afraid, and take the car right
at this corner, you know" {$s
3 AS the other girls went down the
street they were noticed by the sex.
ton, who was standing on the op.
posite corner talking to friend.
"There," said he, they're gone al
" last. Axed my fires and got every.
thing ready to lock up full hour
ago, and I've been waiting around
here ever since. I must get along
now I've got the chance, so good
r night to ye." ~ IT,, :. :5*xs zss
i, Crossing the street, he entered the
church and peered about. 1T y was
empty and quiet. Satisfied that All
was as it should be, he went out
closed and locked the great door and
hurried away. =. -. st. t..s,, sS,s N II I AZ
Down In the basement Louise was
{ putting the roses in q cool corner
when her ear caught the clang 81 the
IS closing door. She sprang up the
steps and ran across the transept and
5 down the long side-aisle. Painting
II she tried the door, shook it, ratified
the knob, pounded on the panels, ,bu,
III s. vain. She ran to the towe,
S