The indicator., 1904-09-10

man who has reached II conclusion.
''thats IA little too unusual for me.
Why" looking pityingly ut the mis-
sionary, at amt natarcl,'
Right you are, my boy" said Bruce
with II laugh. ats deucedly unnatu
raj"
mot for him." said the missionary
quietly. Then Bruce joyfully took him
up and led him on into discussion OF
evidences. and from evidences into
metaphysics, the origin of evil and the
freedom of the will, till the missionary,
as Bill said, was ratified worse nor O
rooster in the dark
Poor little Mrs. Muir was much
scandalized and looked anxiously at
her husband. wishing him to take her
out But help came from an unexpect
ed quarter. and Hi suddenly called out
Here you. Bill! Shut your blanked
jaw, and you, Bruce, give the man a
chance to work of his music
That's sor' Fair playw Go ont"
were the cries that came in Response
to HIS appeal.
The missionary. who was all trem.
bling and much troubled, gave Hi Q
grateful look and said:
I'm afraid there are great many
things don't understand, and / am moi
good at argument" There were shouts
of go on" Fire aheadr' "Play
the game"' but he said, 81 think we
will close the service with a hymn"
His frankness and modesty and his re-
spectful. courteous manner gained the
sympathy of the men, so that all Joined
heartily in singing, sun of My Soul.S
In the prayer that followed his voice
grew steady and his nerve came back
to him. The words We're very simple,
and the petitions We're mostly for light
and for strength. With few words Of
remembrance of those in our homes
far away who think of us and pray
for us and never forget" this strange
service was brought to u close.
After the missionary had stepped out
the whole affair was discussed with
great warmth. Hi Kendall thought
'the Pilot didn't have no fair show"
maintaining that when he was "ropin'
a steer he didn't want no blanked ten
derfoot to be shown in his rope like
Bill there" But Bill steadily main
tained his position that ''the story Of
that there picnic was little too un-
usual for him. Bruce was trying
meanwhile to beguile the Duke into q
discussion of the physics and meta.
physics of the case. But the Duke re-
fused with quiet contempt to be drawn
into region where he felt himself a
stranger, He preferred poker himself
If Bruce cared to take hand. and so
the evening went on, with the theolog-
ical discussion by Hi and Bill in a
judicial, friendly spirit in one corner.
while the others for the most part
played poker.
When the missionary returned late
there were only few left in the room,
among them the Duke and Bruce, who
was drinking steadily and losing
money. The missionarys presence
seemed TO irritate him, and he played
even more recklessly than usual, swear
Ing deeply at every loss. At the door
the missionary stood looking up into
the night sky and humming softly
"Sun of My SOUL and aftS n few
minutes the Duke Joined in humming
q bass to the air till Bruce could con-
tain himself no longer
~ say he called out, this isn't any
blanked prayer meeting, is it?'
The Duke ceased humming and,
looking at Bruce, said quietly: well,
what is it? What's the trouble?"
"Trouble!' shouted Bruce. 81 don't
see what hymn singing has to do With
poker game"
"Oh, l see! I beg pardon. Was
singing?' said the Duke. Then, after
pause, he added: you're quite right
say. Bruce, let's quit. Something has
got on to your nerves" And, coolly
sweeping his pile into his pocket, he
gave up the game. With an oath
Bruce left the table, took another
drink and went unsteadily out 10 his