Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1903-04-09

UlllUS VII LlIc IOHCl VI Ullc = SlCdU oLOuC
church, and bathed all the western
sky in Splendor.
ST. Mary'S church, high on the hill
from the old town, fronts and east, so
that the rosy glow Of early morn is
reflected in its crystal glass doors, and
at night when old sol lowers in the
form fitting background for the old
steeple, the Spire of which, SO exalted
in height, seems almost to kiss
Heaven.
st. Mary's is the pride of Kingston.
1t had been built many, many years
before by one John Kingston, who
after life of wild dissipation, broken
in health and fortune, gave his small
residue for the erection of a gray
stone cathedral on the high hill, with
directions that upon bis death, his
body be cremated, and the urn con-
tanning his ashes be kept in the base
Of the church Spire, for said he "That
will be as near heaven as | shall ever
get
Within the church it was almost
dusk; the fading light, struggling
through the cOlOred diamond paneS,
cast odd shadows on the time-wOrn
peWS.
The sound Of an organ is waited out
upon the breeze; the triumphant
pealS of grand pipe organ, played by
master hand. The player was man
in the prime of life, strong OF limb
and handsome, but with face deeply
lined, as if by constant toll and study.
With Il grand amen" the music
ceased, and the player turned to dn
old man who sat upon the altar steps.
"That is my own composition,
D'Armillo" said he, what do you
think Of it?"
''Ah Monsieur, ct eZ enchanting"
replied the old man, 'Ze La Gloria is
beautiful: and the muzeek, ah-Zat-
Monsieur you do play with re whole
soul. 1t is re grand; re tones of re
organ are re most mellow in all ze
world. Monsieur will play zat to-
morrow during re Easter Offering
yes? 1t is not each Sunday zat we
have such sweet muzeek. | tell often
Madam MoiSelle Margaret, if she only
play With &c heart, not alone with Ze
tingrerS- she plays quite correct, Ze
notes, ze time, SO, yet-nO never with
the inside soul of her-ah, | know not
why tbs so. But you do make ze
organ speak, and Kingston may well
be proud Of you, Monsieur, and zey
are"
The younger man laughed lightly
"Well, D'ArmillO, | have never for
gotten the old town, or old friends,
and | value word of praise from you
as highly as the compliments l have
received from Kings and Queens
during my travels in foreign parts.
But come, it grows late, the shadows
are deepening. Early in the morning
| will send some lilies for the altar:
and now for home, and bit to eat"
He assisted D'Armillo to rise. and
offered his arm, for the old man was
lame.
Had either of them glanced to the
left they would have observed the
figure of girl living face downward
in one of the pews. But they came
down the center aisle, laughing and
chatting, while the girl held her
breath in dread lest she be discovered.
D'Armillo locked the church doors
and p0cketed the keys, for he was the
church sexton by occupation, although
yiolinist by profession.
When the doors had grated to on
"There," 7" she said aloud, ''Im locked
III. buU L Sdh SCU OuU SOllclOW SOlllC-
time between now and morning
And Edward is home again-after
seven years; seven years in which
have grown old and plain; yet he
looks older too: he has forgotten me
long ago no doubt: how he plays; it
just went through me; that's what
old D'Armillo means by playing with
the inside OF you: he says plav only
with my fingers. Tomorrow Edward,
pompous with his fame and travel,
will be sitting here to critiCiSe; SO
that's his gift to the church, the new
pipe organ, upon which he is to play
LA Gloria" When | play he will
note that the little village maid has
not improved in the seven years he
has been playing to royalty. Why
can't | play that? Because-oh-its
such dull ache just to keep living.
He couldn't sound an "Ameu" that's
perfect prayer of JOY if his heart was
as sore as mine is. Let me See-Seven
years. was eighteen then; how
provoked he used to get, because as
he said, played so mechanically.
WASH 1T cut out for a musician, and he
should not have wasted bis valuable
time giving me lessons. But that day
he slapped my tingerS-they smart
yet ali because | played so correct
and precise. How angry | was-but,
Oh Ed, I'm not angry now: such a
quarrel as we had in this very church,
it fairly frightened D'Armillo lust &c
liSten-and gone ever since-ah we'll
you never cared Ed-you might have
sent me one line. just for old times
sake. +"
Her voice had gradually grown
louder, till the tones echoing in the
empty church, recalled her to a sense
Of her surroundings. and she rose anC
made her way to the vestry door
seeking an avenue OF escape. She was
tall and slender. with fair brown hail
and deep gray eyes. with a wiStfu
far-aWay look in them. She WA:
graceful, gentle and modest anc
there was about her that intangible
something that attracted attention
and compelled admiration. "Margarcr
was such a nice girl" was the un
varying opinion of all the village folk
She lived with. and cared for, he,
widowed mother, she performed he
duties; played her part in the little
social matters; and walked through
life with that smooth even gait thai
apparently denotes calm content
But of her inward life her night,
pillow could tell what the watchfu
eyes Ut her friends could not.
easter morn dawned bright anC
clear The sun shOne. IL gentle breezt
SpraDg up from the south, and al
nature gave promise verdant spring
Within st. MaryS the congregation
carly assem- bIpd Tho old church ,y.,