The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-04-06
THE MINORITY
By FREDERICK TREVOR HILL
Author Of The Case and Exceptions" etc.
Copyright, 1909, by Frederick A. Stoke. 6 Co,

They passed into the rear alcove OF
the church--a little chapel In itself
from which the distant altar candles,
mere specks of light, shed glory
like radiance, hushing the scene to
reverent almost holy quiet. There
was nothing awesome in the stiffness.
II was the gentle, sympathetic silence
that calms and refreshes. The low
raftcred 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
restful spirit of the place.
For some time neither Kennard nor
Leslie spoke, and it was not until the
organist 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 I like regular
ly. for fear of making 1t commonplace
come here when it will do me most
good. There are days when only the
cathedral can satisfy me, at other
times need the severity of the Pres
byterians, 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-
cially when 1t 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 trace of mo-
notony in gladness. One day It makes
you feel like singing and dancing, on
another II makes you ambitious to do
or be something, sometimes IL fills you
with compassion and tenderness for
every dropping thing in the world, and
then, again, 1t sends you to your knees
in prayer"
Kennard made no response as his
companion ceased speaking, and to-
gether they silently watched the ver-
ger eytinguishing 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
unexpressed thought.
"Do you ever feel craving for out
ward forms and visible signs?" he
asked. They say a man always re-
verts in his old age to the simple, un-
reasoning 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 1t I
will unquestioningly accept all the
necessary forms and mysteries, and
swallow the superstitions with the de-
voted credulity of-well, Of your
friend Mrs. Mullin. for instance"
II think | 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
surprise.
81 hope there's nothing wrong with
him." she observed, little anxiously.
I'm sure hope so too
The words were uttered before Ken
nard fully realized how ungracious
they were, and the conversation paused
awkwardly before he tried to soften
the effect
I'm quite sure the man is-that
Mallory is doing we'll"
1t was halting and clumsy attempt,
but Leslie accepted il without COM
ment.
I'm glad of that. | wanted to ask
you whether" She paused, as Ken
nard took up hymnal and nervously
thumbed its pages. You don't want
to talk about this tonight" she con-
tinued. I'm sorry L"
mo, mol merely thought that per-
haps"-he closed the book without
lifting his eyes from 1t, and hesitated