Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-16

cepting Raridan, who attended what he
called early church" This practice his
acknowledges accepted in silence as one
of his vagaries. That a man should go to
church at O'Clock and then again at IL
sgnified mere eccentricity to Raridan's
fellow-boarders. who were not instructed
in Catholic practices but divided their own
Sunday mornings much more nationally
between the barber shop the post Office and
their places of business.
1t was a bright morning: the week just
ended had been, In a sense. epochai, and
Wheaton resolved to go to church. 1t had
been his habit to attend services occasion
ally, on Sunday evenings, at the Peoples
Church, whose minister frequently found
occasion to preach on topics Of the day
or on literary subjects Doctor Morning
star was the most popular preacher in
Clarkson; the Peoples Church was filled at
all services; on Sunday evenings it was
crowded. Doctor Morningstars series of
lectures on the italian Renaissance. illus
trated by the stereopticon, and his even
more popular course of lectures on the Vic
torian novelists, had appealed to Wheaton
and to many; but the Peoples Church was
not fashionable; he decided to go this morn.
ing to St Paul's the Episcopal Cathedral.
1t was the oldest church in town, and
many of the first families attended there
All fashionable weddings in Clarkson We're
held in the cathedral, not because it was
popularity supposed to confer a spiritual
benefit upon those who were blessed from
its altar but for the more excellent reason
that the main aisle of this Gothic edifice
gave ample space for the free sweep of
bridal trains. and the chancel lent itself
charmingly to the decorative purposes of
the florist.
Wheaton found Raridan breakfasting
appeared Raridan's good morning was
not very cordial; he had worn a gloomy
air for several days. Whenever Raridan
seemed out of sorts. Caldwell always de-
clared solemnly that Wary had been writ
ing poetry.
asked amiably. 3'!pt
Every Sunday morning some one asked
Raridan this question: he, supposed Whea-
ton was attempting to be facetious
yes, he answered patiently; and added,
as usual, better go along"
Don't care IL ldbsss EWheaton replied.
carelessly.
Raridan eyed HIM IN surprise.
They walked toward the cathedral to-
gether Wheaton satisfied, that his own hat
was as shiny and his frock coat as proper
as Raridan's; their lgaoves were almost of
vestibule Of the cathedral which many peo-
pie in their Sunday sipery were entering.
Wheaton had neverf been in an Episcopal
church before; 1t ALI seemed very strange
tary. the unfamiliar scenes depicted on the
stained glass wind6wsy the soft light
through which he saw well-dressed people
coming to their places. and the scent of
flowers and the faint breath of orris from
the skirts Of women. The boy choir came
in singing stirring professional that was
both challenge and fnspira ton. 1t was like
witnessing a little drama; the procession.
the singing, the fiutter of surplices as the
choir found their stalls In the dim chancel.
Raridan bowed when f6S professional cross
passed him. Wheaton observed that no one
else did so.
A young clergyman began reading the
service, and Wheaton followed 1t In the
prayer book which Raridan handed him
with the places marked. He felt ashamed
that the people about him should see that
the places had to be found for him: he
wished to have the appearance Of being
very much at home. He suddenly caught
the church. and presently her father and
their guests were disclosed. He soon dis