Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-07-17
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! IN ST. PAUL'S
) LOFT ~ -
BY epes w. Sargent
Copyright, 1909, by the 4
S. S. Mcclure Company

English enectS, It's huge oYerlanslng
rafters, it's deep set windows and Its
dim, quietly furnished chaneel it was
a far cry from the town hall, where for
several years the band OF worshipers
had met So the happy occasion was to
be duly celebrated, and the young wo-
men Of the altar guild had taxed their
| individual and collective ingenuity-to
say nothing OF purses-in order to beau
tify the chancel with flowers.
Philip Harrison, pausing in the door
way, nodded his head approyingly.
THE girls have done well. and this
will give just the correct finishing
touch TO the decorations" he mur-
INJURED as he stalked down the center
aisle, carrying pure white dove. with
outstretched wings. His sister, who
was the president OF the altar guild.
had pressed him into service, and he
was 10 suspend the bird just above the
lecturn. He was glad that the matter
had slipped her mind until after all the
girls had gone. for since certain night
when Mildred Allen and he had part, q
in bitterness he had rather avoided the
circle of young people who rallied
round his sister in her work for 81.
Paurs.
Philip climbed up a tall ladfM and
had wired the dove to the rafter above
the lecturn when suddenly from be
Meath his feet slippLd the ladder. fall
ing with crash among the choir stalls.
Fortunately tie young man had
stout grip OH the polished oak beam.
and before the noise died away he had
swung himself up and from his perch
full twenty feet above the chancel sur
veyed the broken ladder with rueful
expression.
Suddenly he renewed his gaze from
the ladder and glanced around with IN
uneasy sense that some one was watch
ing him. This was impossible. for the
church had been absolutely empty
when he entered It. He turned eau
tiously on his perch and caught
smothered exclamation. Then he saw
not ten feet away a tousled golden
head and a pretty face, in which
amusement and fright mingled The
girl was peering from loft above the
recess near the chancel left by the
builders for the eventual aceommoda
ton Of pipe organ.
"Well, MilIy, it looks as If you were
in hole too"
She ignored both the speech and the
chuckle which followed it
81 do not see,' she replied in icy
tones, chow my predicament can be OF
the least interest to Mr. Harrison"
Philip, now quite secure on the broad
beam, hugged his knees and looked at
her entreatingiy.
"Come, now. Milly, isn't that bit
strong to the man you were practically
engaged to less than week agor
ut is hard to be reminded of the fol
lies of ones youth" she confided to the
paschal lamb which stood out In bold
relief back of the altar to her right
zone is not to blame however, for
mistaking n firt for gentleman"
'I'm not a flirt," answered Philip
hotly, and in his excitement he almost
slipped off the beam.
Mildred tried hard not to smile and
continued to gaze at the lamb.
isn't it odd," she continued, "how
some persons will fib even in church,?
The lamb wisely kept out OF the dis
cussion. but young Harrison answered
for him
"MIlly, won't you please listen?
never cared a rap for Jennie Adams.
honestly"
"Then," she retorted, suddenly for
getting the lamb, "why did you send
her those perfectly lovely violetsp
A great light came to Philip.
"Why, those were a philopena pres
ent. Didn't she tell your
THAT is a very ancient excuse for
bestowing violets on girl to whom
you are not engaged. You might at
least have informed me Of your inten-
tions beforehand. Then, you see,
shouldn't have cared, and perhaps |
might have warned you"-this just
trine viciously-"that a girl with Jen-
nie's sallow complexion does not look
well wearing violets. Crimson carna-
tons would have been better"
"Well, | will ask you next time"
Then, catching sight OF more thunder
clouds gathering he added hastily, IL
mean there will be no chance of Its
ever happening again If you will for
give me-"
His contrition seemed genuine. More
over, she was uncomfortable, and the
shadows were falling unpleasantly
fast.
Perhaps | will if-you will get me
out OF this"
How did you get in" he questioned.
II was working on the ladder. and
my curiosity led me to see what this
cubby hole was for. and then | caught
my heel In knothole and couldn't get
the thing loose until after the girls left.
They did not miss me, and-and-then
| saw you and thought I'd walt until
you got out of the way
THANK you" 1t was on his brow
chat the stormclouds now gathered.
81 had a vague idea that you were
rather glad to see me and that this
miserable misunderstanding was to be
forgotten"
"Oh, then you think girl Is to be
bullied; that because I could not help
myself I'd have to be pleasant. Well.
let me inform you that I'd rather stay
mere uI night uNttpl AhNOI Va
you, Mr.. Harrison"
She did not mean word she said,
but when n girl has been nursing q
wrong. real or hna mary, for one good
long week her hear. Lecomes not only
rebellious, but utterly unreasonable.
Without word Philip rose steadily
TO his feet and balanced his way along
the beam to the wall. She held her
breath. He might fall. He might
"Where are you goingi" she cried
tremuously.
Home" he answered shortly.
"Oh, Phil. don't--leave- alone In
the dark" she implDred.
"Why not? You have distinctly said
you waited TO get rid OF me- You evil
IDENTIFY hate The sight Of me-"
"Oh but that was before the ladder
fell. mean-oh, please. please come
back" she cntrcated.
"Will you make up this wretched
quarrel and start all over again"
"Neverr
Then goodbyw And he resumed his
progress.
You will be silledw she warned |
him.
"It doesn't matter now" he answer
ed easily.
She knew he did not mean II and that |
purposeIy he let his foot slip while he |
clutchcd AT the rafter, but she was too |
proud and an.ry 10 speak. Silently she |