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


If obliterating the city's erudities;
plotting out hideous advertisements,
screening architectural monstrosities,
md harmonizing desperate incongrui-
lies 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 were still
marching and countermarching in
fifth avenues monotonous Sunday
promenade.
Self-eonscious humanity pluming it
self is an amusing spectacle if the OBJ
server be attuned to appreciate its hui
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 eyes the whole city was a co.
lossal fraud, and Kennard greeted 1t
with a comprehending sneer of cynical
contempt as he turned into a 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 a
cluster of buildings, strangely foreign
to its surroundings. seeming to form
a 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-
pnere of peace and security in delight
full contrast to the uncompromising
The gathering dusk curtained the
further recesses of the low Buildings.
and the dim light from the soft-hred
windows suffused a gentle glow which
set the picture in restful tones.
Kennard gazed at the scene with I'M
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
centious frivolity, or worldly indiffer-
ence, or heartless greed-no matter
what form the brutality may take, or
how deep-centered it lies-there are
always hooks and corners which es-
cape proclamation and radiate a soften
ing influence.
Crazy Paris in her widest deliricms
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
hurch-around-the-C orner!"
Kennard passed along the box-bor-
Tered pathway, and quietly pushed
open the church door The soft tones
If the organ greeted him as he paused
IN the threshold. The little church
vas dark save for the candle-lighted
lltar, which threw the chancel into
lear relief and magnified its distance
rom the door. Above the murmur-
ng of the organ an earnest voice was
epeating the spIendidly simple words
# the vesper service. There were but
ew people in the building, and Ken
ard tiDtoeing down side aielA sAa+-
q nlmsen IN one OF the rear pews.
lie did not want to see the officiating
in the mans pres
nee might detract from the beauty of
lis voice He did not want to asso-
late personality with this place at all.
lie had had enough of hypocritical hui
lanity for one day He longed to lose
imself in his surroundings, to sur
ender himself completely to their in
uence. He even dreaded the moment
hen the prayers would end and force
i'm to a realization that here were
lore hypocrites performing an obso-
tie function, half from fear and half
ON custom. Involuntarily he shut |
is eyes and bowed his head to l.eep
is thoughts from the course they were
gain beginning to follow. The voice
t the priest fioated further and fur
Ter away. now merging into the deep
of the organ, and now
ringing out the beauty of word or
enforcing the fullness of note in
ondrous blending of tones.
A clear young voice joining in the
horal amen" and slight rustling
armed Kennard that the prayers had
nded. He raised his head and glanced
bout him. In the opposite pew
Dung girl was just rising from her
nees The half light partially
,reened her face, but there was some
hing hopefully familiar about the
Disc of her head, something delight
lily encouraging in the dim outline
{ regular profile, something exulting-
: reassuring in the general effect of
ne Swallowed figure; but Kennard ex-
ected disappointment, until Leslie
[arlan turned and smiled a greeting
recognition.
The benediciion was personal
lessing, soothing and sympathetic,
nd the occasional faded away into
silence which the distant, muffied
Amen" seemed to sanctify.
Neither Miss Harlan nor Kennard
loved from their seats as the congre-