The San Francisco call., 1903-12-20


Irritated Edgar exceedingly. He saw
no explanation whatever. He perceived
that he should have to fight the first
alto. This was not only a great respon-
sibility in itself, but the necessity Of
evading the parental eye added to the
nervous strain and the consciousness
that on this particular Sunday after
noon Mr.. Ogden occupied one Of the rear
pews, with the idea Of seeing how he
behaved during service and subse-
QuentIy accompanying him home, so
weighed upon the spirits OF the first
soprano that William Walters accom-
plished the choir steps in the recession
al without stumble.
The rector noticed with pleasure the
seedy-looking man in the back OF the
church; he was just then smarting
little under the accusation OF 'aristo-
cratic tendencies" body OF conser-
vatives had never approved OF the boy
choir. He hoped to get the man into
the Brotherhood Of ST. Andrew II he
were allied to no other organization
Mr.. Ogden, as we know, was on ousi-
ness Of his own-business that kept him
glaring flxedly in the rector's direction
(which encouraged that good man still
further It IS to be doubted II the bro
therhood would have appealed to him,
however. Not that he would have been
hiudered by any narrow sectarian ten
dencies. Mrs. ogden. who did up the
shirt waists Of the Presbyterian min
tster's daughter, was by her presented
regularly with a missionary bank in
the form Of a papier mache cottage
with a chimney initiating red brick;
and Edgar, employing Napoieonlc
strategy, triumphantly attended the
Methodist Christmas festivals ana the
Baptist Sunday school picnics' the lat
ter society offering a merry -go-round
on a larger scale, the former providing
the infant faithful with more pracd-
cable presents and larger candy bags.
Mr. ogden felt, with certain justice,
that his church connections did him
credit on the whole, and excused him.
self from any undue energy In that di-
rection.
He watched his son keenly. but Ed
rar's ecclesiastical demeanor was with
ont a flaw. Mornover. his plans were
gradually maturing. He sang amen at
proper intervals and managed to get
between the organist and the tenor,
who depended on Mr.. Fellows to mark
the time for him with his left hand,
and In consequence OF being unable 10
see him. bungled his offertory solo; but
his thoughts were otherwhere. be had
decided to slip out Of the south transept
door. thus eluding parental pursuit, and
fight Howard Potter IN his own back
ward before he slept. He would prac-
tice upon his victim q recent scientific
ACQUISITION proudly styled by him the
uppercut." which he had learned from
an acquaintance at the cost OF 10 cents
and three sugar cookies
At this point the anthem prelude
drew him to his feet He had saved his
voice. according to directions, for his
solo. and in the waiting hush every
word flowed, soft and pure, to the end
of the church.
Mercy and truth, mercy and truth,
mercy
All, that exquisite soft swoop down
ward! The organ rippled on contented-
Iy a continuation OF Edgar's hutelike
tones-"and truth are meet together!
There was all the richness Of a
woman's voice, all the passionless
cIearness of a boys and all the morn
ing innocence OF child's.
It occurred to him suddenly that the
north transept would be safer-it was
on the side furtherst from home.
righteousness and peace, righteous
ness and peace have kissed each other"
He wondered II Howard had learned
the uppercut since their encounter.
Tins face was as the face OF an
angel; a long slanting ray from the
rose-window fell across his cu-ls.
Have kissed each other" Edgar
sighed softly. Have kissed each other
the caressing tones melted into the
organs, whispered once more, leach
other" and died lingeringly. A long
breath, an audible "Ah-h-h!" drifted
through the church. The choirmaster
kicked his feet together under the
organ for Joy. He little knew that at
that very moment the future Of his
vested choir was swinging lightly in
the balance.
But such was the fact. Fate. which
links together events seemingly iso-
lated, smoothed Edgar's way to his
flight, but allowed him to be beaten.
II this had not happened, his wrath
would not have vented itself In hector
ing a bad-tempered bass at the
wednesday rehearsal, by scampering
in front of him and mimiclSing with
wonderful accuracy his gruff. staccato
voice.
''He taketh up the isles-as a very
little thing!" mocked Edgar.
shut up!" growled the bass.
"a very little thing!" Edgar con-
tinued, Indignantly. slipping across his
Victims path.
"Oh, all right. young feller." called
the bass, enraged at the grins and ap-
plause of the other men, "an right!
Just you walt till Sunday. that's all"
If Edgar had not teased him so he
would not have added: IT know what'u
! happen, then, If you don't"
"What?" Edgar inquired derisively,
catching up with him.
You're going to be bounced, that's
what" said the bass, irritably.
Jaw, come off, 1 amt, eitherg''
'WelI, you ought to be. the whole
pack Of you," the bass continued, de-
cidedly, bag and baggagel And good
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