The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-20

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 grad
ually failing. No one had noted her con-
dition 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. 10
take part on this occasion. They marched
into the hall early and took a position on
the platform. The Salvation Army also
proudly beat its way UP the broad aisle.
headed by the major. who while In doubt
as TO the expediency OF moving into his
new quarters without first breaking some
or the furniture To make things look just
right had finally consented TO try II
as II was, aud II II was too good. stuart
had arranged for the lease or 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 platform.
but could not prevail on him TO ofrer any
remarks.
I'm no speaker. Son's ask me, Stuart.
IL any OF the audience are sick or feel
bad after you and Eric and Andrew have
talked 20 'em, Ill DO my best for EN-:
but would only perform an operation on
their skulls without using an anaesthetic
IL tried To talk. IL would be too pain
ful for US all. I'll agree 70 yell at any
good points the rest OF you make, II /
can sec 'em without microscope"
Andrew spoke briefly on the value of
the building and its opportunities for
Christian service, dwelling on the fact
that 81 was not money that would make
tho plan successful, but live Christian
ma aud h. Aai. h..f. 80
ino the work that the hall was to
represent.
Eric followed with very strong speech.
He was coming out OF his disappointment
and bitterness. and was almost as popular
with the men as before. II he develops he
will be a stronger 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 10 say some beau
tiful things of Stuart.
stuart was the last speaker, and Il
was an occasion OF lifetime for any
man. He was profoundly moved as he
faced that audience. II was the same
audience he had seen at the meetings In
the square. at the railroad station. at the
park and In the hall at De Mott, the same
rough. stolid, impassive crowd. with here
and there face that lighted up at some
human touch as Andrew and Eric had
moved II. II was the same. and yet IL
was different. To Stuart II spoke Of op-
portunities. He saw humanity so differ
emily now.
manly fashion. Rhena. proud and happy,
felt that admiration for this strong. hand
some man. her husband, which always
adds TO the depth and beauty Of the
love Of man and wife. More than once
tho tears came as she listened 20 the
way Stuart talked, voicing In a very plain
fashion his great desire for the common
brotherhood. The men listened with the
most breathless interest When he finished,
there was a hearty cheer, which was
caught UP again and again, while Stuart,
overcome by his feelings. sat back and
covered his face with his hands.
IL seemed very natural thing then
for Rhena 10 ask all TO bow their heads
that nothing could more fitly close such
day and such an occasion than Rhena
herself kneeling there. with all the Saliva
hsr she hsd never ss praysd % go 90
earnestly and truly for the life abund-
antiy 10 be given to them all. Even while
dience. without knowing all the reason
for II, felt that this building was oonss-
Grated In very solemn and profound
Il was named And Andrew, seeing that
the time had come TO close the services
pronounced the nediction
At the same hour In which Rhena had
knelt down before that great silent crowd
or miners the doors OF The drawing room
In Aunt Royals mansion In New York
ra Sslns os thrSwn open to one q the
were gathered the butte rifles OF the world.
diamonds and silks. sweet music and
laughter; vanity OF vanity. adorned with
the impressive power always apparent In
q display OF rich leisure. dancsd and ate
and drank and gossiped as II 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 need
ed repose. and she was ready now for an
other season OF gayety.
BY the way" asked a young man dur
Ing the evening. who had been abroad
niece OF yours. Louise Duncan. who used
Aunt Royal paled a little. You did not
living with her brother in Champion. 1t
y Doubtful II she survives the winter.
The winters In champion are horrible. /
'.'Ah. we are thankful It was only one
here in New % %YOTk y ss' %as the seArsS salsns s1s
reply.
Aunt Royal smiled at the compliment
and the gay company, it's elegance, its
h9wers It's perfume. It's happy careless
ness OF the worlds woe, almost shut out
tnt p1cSurc Oh tlat dgOulxlnG uBuTe mat
kneeled one night over there close BY
that beautiful woman at the piano ana
begged for But strike UP the music
faster, faster: let Us eat drink and be
merry for tomorrow We die.
The musicians at Aunt Royals had be-
gun the soft, Dreamy waltzes Just as
Stuart and Rheng came into the library
OF the Duncan house at Champion. They
had been sent for In haste by ths nurse |
who had noted serious change In Louise
rs the evening drew on. They went at
once ipto the bedroom
It did not need the doctors presence
already there, nor the stern look on his |
face, 90 tell them toat the end was near
louise was partly raised on pillows, and |
her eye glowed With the fever of madness |
that had all along been consuming her.
''Coper' che cried. peevishly. we shall |
be late; Don't you hear the clock strik- |
ng7" II made every one IN the room start |
10 hear the great clock in the hall Just |
at that moment strike IL.
Come, give me my gloves and fan, and |
tell Yem 10 drive around at once. Be |
careful OF my drees! Do look right? The |
iances will be started. We shall miss |
he first How Glow you are! / wanted |
,ilise OF the valley, and you sent up the |
'reisias, don't think they are a bit |