The Washington times., 1906-07-29


put up my hands and found two open
ings about two yards apart through
which the air sucked steadily. l NOV
ed out of the current with chnckle
ia my throat. and a grin on my race
/ had passed under the gate IN the
school-wan. and ] knew now why the
piers that held il had been built so
hich-thev were hollow and were thu
means of sending fresh air into the
tunnel
had traversed about twenty yards
more when I felt slight vibration ac-
COMMANDED by "A muffied roar. and al
most Immediately came 10 a short
wooded stair that marked the end of
the passage. I had no means OF tudg-
ing directions. but / assumed I was
somewhere near the chapel In the
school grounds.
] climbed the steps. noting still the
vibration. and found door that yield
ed readily TO pressure. IN a moment
! stood blinking. lantern IN hand, In a
well-lighted. hoored room. Overhead
the tumult and thunder Of an organ
explained the tTemOT and roar l had
heard below. / was in the crypt OF
81. Agatha's chapel. The inside OF the
door by which ] had entered was a
part of the wainscoting Of the room.
and the opening was wholly covered
with map Of the Holy Land
In my absorption / had lost the sense
of time, and 7 was amazed 10 find
thar q was u'ClOCk. but ] resolved To
En into the chapel before going home.
The way up was clear enough, and
] was soon in the vesubule l opened
the door, expecting TO find service
in progress, but the little church waa
empty save where. at the right OF tile
chaucel. an orgaHist was filling the
church with the notes Of a triumphant
march. Cap in hand I stole forward
and sank down IN one Of the Pews.
y lamp over the organ keyboard
gave the only light in the chapel. and
made an aureole about her head
about the uncovered mead OF o ivia
Gladys Armstrong, I smiled as 1 re-
cognizel her and smiled. too as I re-
membered her name. But the Joy
she brought 10 tho music. the hap
piness IN her face as she raised n IN
the minor harmonlcs. her isolation.
marked by the little isle OF light
against the dark background OF the
ChOir-these Things touched and
moved me. and I bent forward. my
arms upon the pew in front or me.
watching and listening with a kind %
nWod wonder. Here was A refuge OF
peace and luulug harmony after the
disturbed life at Glenarm, and yield
al myself TO its solace with an inclin-
alton my life had rarely known.
There was no pause IN the outpour-
ms Of the mclo5y. She changed stops
aul manuals with swift fingers and
passed from ore composition TO an
other, now It was an august hymn.
now theme from Wagner. and final-
ly Nendelssohn's Spring Song leap
ga forth cNultout tn the dark chapel
She ceased suddenly with a little
sigh and struck her hands togt thFr.
for the place was cold As she reach
ed mp TO put ont the lights / stepped
forward 10 the chancel steps
please allow me 10 do that FOR
ygu2'
She turned toward me. gathering
cape about her
ooh. ms YOU is it," she asked. look
ing about quickly. Il don't remember
I don't seem 10 rememher-that YOU
were invited 90
"I didn't know 7 was coming my
self" remark d truthfully. lifting my
hand Ia the lamp.
"That Is my opinion q you-that
you're a rather unexpected person.
E-t thank YOU. very much"
She showed mo- disposition to prolong
The interview. but hurried toward the
door. and reached the vestibule before
came uu with her
You can't go any further. Mr.. Glen
arm she said. and waited az though
tp make sure 7 understood. Straight be
fore us through the wood and beyond
tie salo1l buildings the sunset faded
srU.n.y. The night was following fast
upon the gray twilight and already the
btl1rr rlaucts were atiame In The sky
The path led straight ahead beneath
tho black boUghs.
Il might perhaps walk 10 the dorni-
to~v. or whatever YOU call IT," ] said.
Thank YOU. no, I'm late and haven't
time to bother with YOU. It's against
the rules YOU know. for US to receive
visitors"
She stepped out into the path.
But I'm not "a caller I'm just
ueighb0r And I owe you several calls.
anyhow
She laughed. bot did not pause. and
] followed "a pace behind her.
II hope Won don't think for a minute
that I chased "a rabbit ON your side
of the fence irst TO meet YOU; do You,
cir. Gleuarm2"
.Rc It far from me- I'm glad I
came. though. for I liked your music
immensely. I'm In earnest; ! think
f. quite wonderful. Miss Armstrong
She paid no heed 10 me.
And I hone / NAV promise myself
the pleasure IF hearing YOU often
You are positively fattering, MIR.
Glenarm: but as I'm going away
felt my heart sink at the thought
Of her going away. She was the only
amusing person I had met AT Glenarm,
and tho ide1 of losing her gave dark
er note 10 the bleak landscape
That's really TOO BAD And Just
when we were getting acquainted!
And 7 was coming 10 church every
Sunday 10 hear YOU play and 70 pray
for snow. so would come over often
10 chase rabbits"
This, / thought, sOftened her heart
At any rate her tone changed.
Il don't play for services: they're
afraid 10 let me for fear I'd run comic
opera tunes into the tie Deum""