Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-07-18
CHAPTER XIX.

Twilight had begun its grateful task
of obliterating the city's crudities;
blotting out hideous advertisements,
screening architectural moEstrosities,
and harmonizing desperate incongrui-
ties with the wondrous touch Of its
shadow hands. In the distance, lights
were already pickering, but richly
eowned women and men attired In
fashions sombre uniform were still
marching and countermarching in
Fifth avenues monotonous Sunday
promenade.
Self-conscious humanity pluming it
self Is an amusing spectacle If the OBJ
server be attuned to appreciate its hu-
morous aspect, but Kennard was In
no mood for comedy. His world was
out of Joint, and as he stalked down
the crowded thoroughfare, he took
savage satisfaction In dissecting the
individuals he knew in the throng,
and dcducing from their private his
tories the most sweeping and scathing
conclusions.
lossal fraud, and Kennard greeted it
with comprehending sneer Of cynical
contempt as he turned into q quiet
street to avoid tn, endless procession
of which he had become an unwilling
part. A glow of soft light caused him
to glance across the street into which
he had retreated. Facing him stood a
cluster Of buildings. strangely foreign
to it's surroundings. seeming to form
q tiny colony by itself, fascinatingly
quaint and picturesque in its seclu-
sion. A small front garden permitted
an architectural effect at once pleas
ing and unusual in the crowded city,
and cave to the enclosure an atmos-
phere of peace and security in delight
full contrast to the uncompromising
environment.
The gathering dusk curtained the
further recesses of the low buildings,
and the dim light from the soft-hued
windows suffused gentle glow which
set the picture in restful tones.
Kennard gazed at the scene with un-
conscious relief. Then he crossed the
street, and walked through the shrine
like entrance into the little. garden.
Every great city is essentially bru-
tai: but whether it be swayed by IL
,'entious frivolity. or worldly indiffer-
rnce, or heartlesS greed-no matter
what form the brutality may take, or
Low deep-centered it lies--there ure
always nuuks and corners which es-
ape prufaratiuu aud raGiate d soften
las inauclce.
Crazy Paris in her widest deliriums
has respected certain affairs; callous
London occasionally grows senti-
mental over some threatened struc-
ture; materialistic, irreverent New
York stood bareheaded for a moment
the day a great actor lifted his hand
and whispered: God bless the little
rch-around-the-C
Kennard passed along the box-bor-
dered pathway, and quietly pushed
open the church door. The soft tones
of the organ greeted him as he paused
on the threshold. The little church
was dark save for the candle-lighted
altar, which threw the chancel into
clear relief and magnified its distance
from the door. Above the murmur-
ing of the organ an earnest voice was
repeating the splendidly simple words
Of the vesper service. There were out
few people in the building, and Ken
nard, tiptoeing down side aisle, seat
ed himself in one Of the rear pews.
He did not want to see the oticiating
priest-something in the mans pres
ence might detract from the beauty OF
his voice He did not want to asso-
,iate personality with this place at ALL
He had had enough Of hypocritical hu-
manity for one day He longed to lose
himself in his surroundings, to sur
render himself completely 10 their in
luence. He even dreaded the moment
when the prayers would end and force
him 10 a realization that here were
more hypocrites performing an obso-
Iete function, half from fear and halt
from custom Involuntarily he shut
his eyes and bowed his head to keep
his thoughts from the course they were
again beginning to follow. The voice
Of the priest fioated further and fur
ther away, now merging into the deep
harmonies of the organ. and now
bringing out the beauty OF q word or
reinforcing the fullness of note in q
wondrous blending Of tones.
A clear young voice joining in the
choral Amen" and a slight rustling
warned Kennard that the prayers had
ended. He raised his head and glanced
about him. In the opposite pew
young girl was just rising from her
knees. The half light partially
screened her face, but there was some
thing hopefully familiar about the
poise of her heaS, something delight
fully encouraging in the dim outline
Of regular profile, something exulting-
ly reassuring in the general enect OF
the shadowed figure; but Kennard ex-
pected disappointment, until Leslie
Harlan turned and smiled greeting
Of recognition.
The benediction was personal
blessing, soothing and sympathetic,
and the occasional faded away into
q silence which the distant, mutfied
Amen" seemed to sanctify.
Neither Miss Harlan nor kennard
moved from their seats as the congre-
cation filed out. and it was not until
the sexton locked the west door that
Miss Harlan rose and stepped into
the aisle.
81 never can speak to any one for
some time after that service, sne
whispered to Kennard as they shook
hands "The beauty Of 1t seems to
lose something if don't let 1t sink in
slowly"
He nodded comprehendingly.
81 understand" he answered.; but
that is more than | could have said
half an hour ago."
"Why?"
Because l have only just expert
enced it. What haven this place is!"
I'm glad you feel that"
Must We go now?"
"No, We might listen while the or