The San Francisco call., 1906-05-20

tnat afternoon IN FRANK deniey uiAiiAo
room.
There was pleasant stir of anticipa-
ton throughout the little camp Here
was an opportunity to put on best CLONES
and responsibility, to court old memories
and new hopes, to be decent and penslve
and to be on good terms with ones nelgn-
bors and to sing hymns.
When Vaughan came out OF Marys SIT
ting-room into the hall. where Mary $
piano had been moved within range of the
dining room door, every man. woman ana
child in the camp was seated where the
red-covered tables had been Iheir
eager expectant faces were lifted to his
He tok Misplace at the piano and be-
gan to play and sing:
"All hail the power of Jesus name!
Let angels PROSTATE falls
Bring forth the royal diadem
And crown Him Lord Of all.
"Crown Him. rang out Mary's exultant
contralto, leading the sweet pipings OF
her little girls.
Grown Him." sang Minnie Hollaway,
soaring in clear soprano beyond the
reach of Martin and William, rtvainS
each other In ambitious. close pursuit.
Grown Him." doomed in a genial bass,
the big, red-faced man who. arriving late
and finding every seat taken, was bal
ancing himself with difficulty on Mary 3
little sewing chair. Frank stood silent.
taking 1t all in a pleasant light IN MS
small, sharp hazel eyes.
The singer arose from his piano and
opened his Bible at the One Hundred and
Forty-eighth Psalm. He read 1t through,
and Vaughan read as well as he sang,
which was saying much; then ne picked
out one phrase to preach by-Fulf1uing
His Word"
There is a deal of fatalism In mining
camps Life is one huge gamble to men
who one day strike Ii rich" and the
next ego broke" II there Is not God
behind the wheel which turns and turns
to give now this one and now that his
chance, there is Being Of another sort
who laughs to see human wretch be-
fooled 1t is more comfortable to believe
in something like fair play and order
and a reason why.
The speaker had his audience with him
from the start as he pictured the stormy
wind obeying a Purpose; and as he led
up to man, the puppet, the automaton.
the pawn, In the great game which means
the evolution of the best, there were long
breaths drawn, beads of perspiratfon
stood out on tanned fo-eheads, lknotty
hands clasped and unclasped restlessiy-
That was II. they had known IL all along.
they could not get away from Destiny,
from Fate, from-why not say it-God!
Vaughan was preaching to himself;
that was why his thrusts were so sure. so
keen. He was well-nigh unconscious OF
his listeners, though not one or them
suspected II, except Mary. She saw him
feel his way along from premise TO con-
clusion and exulted when he tied him.
self up irrevocably to what she believed
to be his lot She saw the pallor of con-
viction cross his face, saw the gleam OF
dedication in his eyes.
Throughout his impassioned pleading,
taught by the school which urges, Cry,
spare notl" she felt that it was himself
CRYING to himself, that 1t was in self
accusing that the lash descended, and
when at length he prayed that the Word
at any price fulfilled, her heart spoke a
fervent "Amenp"
''We'll have to get your young friend
over to Lewis" declared the plump. red
faced man to Frank Henley. when. the
service over, the congregation loitered
through the hall.
IT don't know as he'll go. Judge"
Frank replied. Wen ask him. Here's
Judge Weaver, Clement, wants you to
hold a service at Lewis. What do you
say?"
'T don't know when I've been 500
edified.y declared the Judge. II assure
you, Mr.. Vaughan, 1t takes me back 70
my childhood days. when learned re-
ligion at my mothers knee. / haven't
IOrSOIIon InOSo QdyS, SlTs no lIlQScQ
keep Family Bible in the court room
there at Lewis; yes, sir, and it's an OBJ
ject of-of veneration, sir!''
You were asking about our going over
to Lewis" reminded Frank. who was In
haste to clear the dining-room and get
the tables back In time for supper.
Eyes, yes,'' declared the Judge. 1--WE
need you over there. There's a cry from
Macedonia, Come and help u.s." The
Judge beamed with appreciation Of his
own aptness.
when do you want me7" asked Glenn
ent He was very white. now that the
glow had faded.
Lets see, tomorrow night there's a
political meeting have to attend" unused
the Judge. Tuesday I go out Of town,
Wednesday, declare, there's something
every day this week. S'pose we say Sun
day? That's our big day."
VERY WELL Sunday, then" said Glenn
ent. 'T'u ride over. I have a horse"
''Why can't you come. too, FrankF' In
quired the Judge.
''I don't know of anything to hinder,
said Henley "Yes. I'll come
Wen look for you. then. Sunday after
noon.'
He shook hands with Vaughan by way
of sealing the agreement. Don't fail u.s. .
he said with emphasis.
''I'll come" the young man answered.
Mary Henley heard him. and again re-
joiced, believing. as she did, that the full
filing of Gods Word was one with the
fulfilling of her desire.