Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-03-22
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| was soon in the vestibule | opened
the door, expecting to find service
in progress; but the little church was
empty save where, at the right Of the
chancel, an organist was filling the
church with the notes Of an exultant
march. Cap in hand stole forward,
and sank down in one of the pews.
A lamp over the organ keyboard
gave the only light in the chapel, and
made an aureole about her head
about the uncovered head of Olivia
Gladys Armstrong! l smiled as rec
ognized her and smiled, too, as ] re-
membered her name. But the JOY she
brought to the music. the happiness in
her face as she raised it in the minor
harmonies, her isolation, marked by
the little isle of light against the dark
background of the choir,-these things
touched and moved me, and | bent for
ward, my arms upon the pew in front
of me, watching and listening with
kind Of awed wonder.
There was no pause in the outpour-
ing Of the melody. She changed stops
and manuals with swift fingers and
passed from one composition to an
other; now it was an august hymn,
now theme from Wagner, and finally
Mendelssohn's spring song won the
cold, dark chapel to light and warmth
with its exultant notes. %
She ceased suddenly with a little
sigh and struck her hands together,
for the place was cold. AS she reached
up to put out the lights l stepped for.
ward to the chancel steps.
please allow me to do that for
you?"
She turned toward me, gathering a
cape about her.
"Oh, it's you, is it," she asked, look.
ing about quickly. y don't remember
that you were invited"
81 didn't know | was coming nv.
self" remarked truthfully, lifting my
hand to the lamp.
THAT is my opinion of you,-that
you're rather unexpected person
But thank you, very much"
She showed no disposition to pro
long the interview, but hurried toward
the door, and reached the vestibule be
fore | came up with her.
You can't go any farther, Mr.. Glen
arm" she said, and waited as though
to make sure | understood. Straight
before us through the wood and be
yond the school buildings the sunse
faded sullenly. Night was following
fast upon the gray twilight and al
ready the holder planets were ahamt
in the sky. The path led straigh
ahead beneath the black boughs.
Il might perhaps walk to the dormi
tory, or whatever you call it," | said.
Thank you, no! I'm late ant
haven't time to bother with you. IT.
against the rules, you know, for US t,
receive visitors
She stepped out upon the path.
But I'm not a caller; I'm Just
neighbor! And | owe you several calls
: anyhow"
She laughed but did not pause and
followed pace behind her.
81 hope you don't think for a me
ment that | chased a rabbit on you
side of the fence in the hope of NEE
ing you, do you, Mr.. Glenarm?"
BE it far from me! I'm glad | came
though, for liked your music in
mensely. I'm in earnest; | think
quite wonderful, Miss Armstrong"
She paid no heed to me-
l And | hope l may promise myseI
I. the pleasure of hearing you often"
You are very kind about my poe
music, Mr. Glenarm; but as I'm goin
9 away"
/ felt my heart sink a trife. Sh
was the only amusing person | ha
met at Glenarm, and the thought {
losing her gave darker note to til
Il bleak landscape.
That's really too bad! And Jul
when we were getting acquainted
And | was coming to church Sunday {
u hear you play and to pray for snov
. so you'd come over often to cha:
II rabbits!"
= This, thought, softened her hear
= At any rate her tone changed.
;, Il don't play for services; they
afraid to let me for fear I'd run com
- opera tunes into the TIE Deuml"
= How shocking!"
y DO you know, Mr.. Glenarm,"-h
:. tone became confidential and her pa
= slackened,-"we call you the squire,
: :, st. Agatha's, and the lord Of Il
:, manor, and names like that! All L
- girls are perfectly crazy about yc
They'd be wild if they thought talk
- with you, clandestinely,-is that t
way you pronounce it,"
~ Anything you say and any way y
say it satisfies me-" l replied.
;, That's ever so nice of YOU" S
!. said, mockingly again.
>. l felt foolish and guilty. She Won
- probably get roundly scolded If t
:, grave sisters learned of her talks wi
me, and very likely should win tn,
=. hearty contempt. But | did not tn
~ back.
10 Il hope the reason you're leavi
isn't" l hesitated.