The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-09-01

lose something if | don't let it sink il
slowly"
He nodded comprehendingly.
st understand" he answered.; "bui
that is more than could have said
half an hour ago"
"Why?g
Because l have only just expert
,nced it. What a haven this place is! "
I'm glad you feel that.
Must we go now?''
mo. We might listen while the orr
ganist practices. | often stay"
They passed into the rear alcove OF
The church-a little chapel in itself
from which the distant altar candies
mere specks of light, shed a glory
ike radiance, hushing the scene to a
reverent. almost holy quiet. There
vas nothing awesome in the stiffness.
It was the gentle. sympathetic silence
hat Gains and refreshes. The low
raftered ceiling, the soft colors, the
blurred and shadowy outlines of the
pictures, the rambling, unconventional
construction, the half-hidden hooks
and corners, all harmonized with the
-estful spirit of the place.
For some time neither Kennard nor
leslie spoke, and it was not until the
1rganist paused that Leslie broke the
silence
"How did you happen to come here
this EVENING""
my good genie must have directed
me. Do you attend here regularity"
81 never do anything | like regular
", for fear of making it commonplace.
come here when it will do me most
good. There are days when only the
cathedral can satisfy me. at other
Zines l need the severity of the Pres
oyterians. or the intellectual stimulus
which the Ethical Culture people.
sometimes give. There is so much
necessary routine in life that every
one ought to avoid monotony, espe-
,ially when it endangers the meaning
Of beautiful things"
"But you are not subject to moods.
[ have your own authority for saying
you like to be Just glad. +"
"Ah, but there isn't a trace of mo-
notony in gladness. One day it makes
you feel like singing and dancing, on
another it makes you ambitious to do
or be something, sometimes it fills you
with compassion and tenderness for
every drooping thing in the world, and
then, again, it sends you to your. knees
In prayer"
Kennard made no response as his
companion ceased speaking, and to.
gether they silently watched the YER
ger extinguishing the altar candles,
until the last tiny flame was blotted
out, and the church shrouded in total
darkness, save for the green-shaded
organ lights which shone ghostlike
and mysterious against the black back
ground.
When Kennard spoke again, his
question seemed to be part of some
thought.
''Do you ever feel craving for out
ward forms and visible signs?" he
asked. They say man slways re-
ve-ts in his old age to the simple, I'M
faith OF his infancy. Per
haps am entering my second child
hood prematurely, but when I'm weary
in mind and disgusted with people and
things, always find myself close to
my childish beliefs. There are times
when must have some great big pres
ence to fall back upon, and to get it ]
will unquestioningly accept all the
necessary forms and mysteries, and
swallow the superstitions with the de-
voted credulity cf-well, of your
friend Mrs. Mullin, for instance.
Il think l understand she an
swered smilingly. Speaking of Mrs
Mullin, how is my protege Mallory get.
ting along?"
1--WE no idea"
The answer was impatient. and Miss,
Harlan glanced at her companion in
II hope there's nothing wrong with
lim?" she observed. a little anxiously.
I'm sure hope so too"
The words were uttered before Ken
lard fully realized how ungracious
hey We're, and he conversation paused |
lwkwardly before he tried to soften;
he effect
I'm quite sure the man is-that
Mallory is doing WELL"
1t was a hating and clumsy attempt,
nut Leslie accepted it without COM
nent.
I'm glad of that. ! wanted to ask
'ou whether" She paused, as Ken
lard took up a hymnal and nervously
humbed its pages. ''You don't want
0 talk about this tonight" she con-
inued. 'T'm sorry -"
mo. rc-I merely thorsht that per-
lars''-ha closed the hool. without
fitting his eyes from it, and hesitatedi