The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1906-04-13

lhey had met at dinner 4 few weeks
before at which he was detailed To take her
in. 1t suited her wayward mood that
evening to wear a mask Of friyolity She
exchanged idle badinage with her neigh
bor and talked to the rector as if he was
a society man of her set.
Il have been so giddy all winter, she
said, Il danced and dined until am tired
You know folly soon wears her shoes
out!
The rector bowed his head in grave ac-
qulescence, and looked at her keenly from
under his dark brows.
II begin to think of conyentual life, -
she continued fiippantly,
For have had more than
Enough of simpering and graccl
Enough of damuiug ones souls for nothing!
Enough OF vanity trimmed with lace r.
Again the rector looked at her, and with
a grave disapproval which brought flush
to her face
And Is this all you find in life?'
YES; all, she answered, with mock
solemnity. ''Do you wonder that am
disillusioned, bored, and dissatisfied. What
shall do? And there was an under
tone Of earuestneSs and pathos ia her voice
which the rector caught but just then the
signal was given for rising, 50 the question
was unanswered
He sought her afterwards in the draw
inc room. where she sat idly looking over
some photographs. She had chosen to
wear gown Of amber broeade, and her
beautiful throat was clasped By a topaz
necklace, while a gold dagger set with
topazes held the soft coils Of shining hair
AS fair as Slith, thought the rector,
''and as alluring, when she chooses not to
be repellant, bu, what part could she ill
in nay life, or in hers? We are totally
untitled for each other
She made little, half-imperative gest-
ure for him to SIT beside her
You did not answer my question,
she said ''let me repeat it---What shall |
do2 Time weighs heavily with me
Philip Hartnell looked straight in her
beautiful eyes, and held them with keen,
insisient glance; then be repeated, in soft,
low tones
If time be heavy on your hands. are
there NJ be,.ars at your gate, nor any poor
about your lanis2'
Miss Kinsley raised her head with a
naughty ht'le gesture, while a swift wave
of color spread over her fair face and even
to the tips Of her dai,y ears; then it re
ceied, and lei, her p,.ler than ever.
'Yon think | presumed asked the
rector.
No; oh, no.
Miss kinslcy watched him as he left the
roon ht,lc latter to bid his hostess good
night, and with admiring eyes. His easy
crace, his eract, sSalwart figure and fine,
intellectual head. brought to her mind the
words
That grand, indifferent, sod-hke
brow. and she sighed htsle, aud thought
humbly. II am made Of basest clay,
while he Is fashioned Of daes, gold. -
Il was Only passing thought chat she
rector eould ave Mas kinsley that Easter
morning, for the church vas slowly and
docoroasly SLING; then began the accord
Of the organ, and the grand triumphant
barst q music from the churisters
Il aln the Resurrection and the Life,
rang out the full sonoFoas voice Of the
preacher. and in one Of the impressive
pau-1s Of the beautiful service, there could
plainly be heard the soft pattcr Of little
feet running up the aisle and child, with
great wondering eyes and awe struck face,
paused ,imidly before frst one pew door,
then another, finally. rfter long, ques
tiouing look in Leah kinsley' face, she
soiily stepped in aud Sal beside her. The
sexton followed with pomPous step and
offended dignity; waits and s,rays, with
PATCHED white aprons and faded Tam
u Shantsrs. were not allowed in the sacred
precincts Of 81. Jude = Of all things that
.be should seat herself in Miss hinsley
rev! He held cut an arresling hand, bul
Mi,s kinsley made little negative motion,
aud the child drew closer to her side, with
4 grateful. eoufding glance, and touched
the folds Of her dress with her little Enger
tiIs and gently passed her hand over her
soft gray gloves; then she reached up and
whispered in her ear.
Il think you are 50 sweet. Do you
mind il | sit beside your she asked, and
her soft violet eyes looked up appeahngly
out Of sweet little face, framed with long,
waving golden hair.
Miss Kinsley gave her little smile of
assurance, and she rested conhdiugly near
her and watched her closely, rising and
kneelius when she did, aud when the ser
mon began, fixing her eyes upon the rec
tor with rapt attention, aud an eager look
Of expectancy. As the rich resonant
voice rang out or died away in pathetic
undertone. the child swayed back and
forth, and her eyes dilated and tears trem-
bled on the long lashes; but after few
moments. under the soothing influence OF
the warm, fragrant air, heavy with the
perfume Of myriads of lilies, and the mu-
steal cadences of the sermon, the golden
lashez swept the rosy cheeks and the fair
head nodded.
At the silent prayer at the close OF the
services, the child knelt at her side, and,
reaching up, put her rosy lips close to Miss
Kinsley's ear and whispered, -
Amt they gang to pass any blessin 5
around? | came purpose after one; my
mamma sick, and want one TO take TO
her
Tell me about it after church, re-
turned Miss Kinsley; you must not talk
now
The aristocratic congregation OF st.
.Jude's was somewhat astonlshed to see
Miss Kiusley permit the little vasrant to
cling to her delicately gloved hand, and to
follow her into her carriage.
Now, tell me all about it, she said,
when she had asked the child 5 street and
number.
"Why, it was just little story that
my mamma told, that there was a blessln
for every single body today. A girl said
she guessed it you'd be in church, and
I IN so disappointed because dIdn t ind
it
Leah Kinsley heart throbbed fast; how
queer, how very queer! And how akin
was the whole world, after all. She, the