The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-04-06
CHAPTER XIX.

and harmonizing desperate incongrui-
ties with the wondrous touch of its
shadow hands. In the distance, lights
we're already Pickering, but richly
gowned women and men attired in
fashions sombre uniform we're 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 a
savage satisfaction in dissecting the
individuals he knew in the throng.
and deducing from their private his
tories the most sweeping and scathing
conclusions.
In his ewes the whole city was a CO.
lossal fraud, and Eennard greeted 1t
with a comprehending sneer of cynical
contempt as he turned into quiet
street to avoid the 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
cluster OF buildings strangely foreign
to its surroundings, seeming to form
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 gave TO the enclosure an atmos-
phere of peace and security in delight
ful contrast 10 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 1t be swayed by IL
centious frivolity, or worldly indiffer-
ence, or heartless greed-no matter
what fern the brutality may take, or
how d.ep-centered it lies-there are
always hooks and corners which es-
cape proclamation and radiate soften
Ing influence.
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 moment
the day great actor lifted his hand
and whispered: God bless the little
Church-around-the-C -Corner!"
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 but
few people in the building, and Ken
nard, tiptoeing down a side aisle, seat
ed himself in one of the rear pews.
He did not want to see the officiating
priest-something in the mans pres
ence might detract from the benury of
his voice. He did not want to asso-
ciate personality with this place at all.
He had had enough of hypocritical hu-
manity for one day. lie longed to lose
himself in his surroundings, to sur
render himself completely to their in
fuence. He even dreaded the moment
when the prayers would end and force
him to realization that here were
more hypocrites performing an obso-
lete function, half from fear and half
from custom. lnyoluntarily 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 floated further and fur
ther away, now merging into the deep
harmonies of the organ, and now
bringing out the beauty of word or
reinforcing the fullness of note in a
wondrous blending Of tones
A clear young voice joining in the
choral Amen and slight rustling
warned Kennard that the prayers had
ended. He raised his head and glanced
about him. In the opposite pew a
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 head, something delight
fully encouraging in the dim outline
of regular profile, something exulting-
ly reassuring in the general effect of
the shadowed figure, but Kennard eX-
pected disappointment until Leslie
Harlan turned and smiled a greeting
of recognition.
The benediction was personal
blessing, soothing and sympathetic,
and the occasional faded away into
silence which the distant, muffled
Amen" seemed to sanctify.
Neither Miss Harlan nor Kennard
moved from their seats as the congre-
cation filed out, and 1t was not until
the sexton locked the west door that
Miss Harlan rose and stepped into
the aisle.
4 never can speak to any one for
some time after that service" she
whispered to Kennard as they shook
hands 'The beauty Of u seems to
lose something II don't let 1t sink in
slowly"
He nodded comprehendingly.
Il understand: he answered; but