The Irish standard., 1907-03-23
T/zARxlN2H HZLHWGlY
Alht'p0r zsAvtX GAH,Sr LZaqlzxe4w5,
GGIE1lnI Eoa3 ~ Aae2s kzraeU/ "a

| OF air, slight but unmlStakaDle, against
my face
The cement square. though exactly
like the others in the cellar floor, was
evidently only an imitation. with an
opening beneath.
The block was fitted into its place
with nicely that certified to the skill
of the hand that had adjusted it, I
broke blade of my pocket-knife try
ing to pry it up. but. in moment. I
succeeded. and found it to be in reality
a trap door. hinged to the substantial
part of the floor.
A current of cool. fresh air. the
same that had surprised me in the
night. struck my face as lay fiat and
peered into the opening. The lower
passage was as black as pitch, and 7
lighted a lantern I had brought with
me, found that wooden steps gave safe
conduct below and went down.
stood erect in the passage and had
several inches to spare. 1t extended
both ways, running back under the
foundations of the house. and cut
squarely under the park before the
house and toward theaschool wall. The
air grew steadily fresher. until, after
I had gone about two hundred yards,
reached a point where the wind seemed
to beat down on me from above. put
np~my hands and found two openings
about three yards apart, through which
the air sucked steadily. I moved out
of the current with a chuckle in my
throat and a grin on my face. I had
passed under the gate in the school
wall, and knew now why the piers
that held it had been built so high
they were hollow and we're the means
of sending fresh air into the tunnel.
When I had travelled about twenty
yards more felt slight vibration ac-
companied by muffled roar, and al
most Immediately came to a rough
wooden stair that marked the end of
the passage. I had no means of judg-
ing directions. but | assumed that l
was we'll within the school park.
climbed the steps and in moment
stood blinking. my lantern in hand, in
small floored room. Overhead the
tumut and thunder Of an organ eX-
planned the tremor and roar had
heard below. I was IN the crypt Of St.
Agatha's chapel. The inside Of the
door by which I had entered was
part Of the wainscoting of the room,
and the opening was wholly covered
with map of the Holy Land.
1t was all very strange and interest
ing. looked at my watch and found
that it was five o'clock, but I resolved
to go into the chapel before going
home.
The way up was clear enough. and
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 I 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! I smiled as rec
ognized her and smiled, too, as I 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
Ethe 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 a
kfnd 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
y 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 it's exultant notes.
;. ! She ceased suddenly with little
sigh and struck her hands together
> for the place was cold. AS she reached
d up to put out the lights I stepped for.
ward to the chancel steps.
!. please allow me to do that for
u you?"
She turned toward me, gathering q
cape about her.
"Oh. it's you. is IT." she asked. look
y ing about quickly. II don't remember
: that you We're invited"
II didn't know | was coming, my
+. self" remarked truthfully, lifting my
hand to the lamp.
T. THAT is my opinion of you.--that
you're a rather unexpected person
l But thank you. very much
She showed no disposition to pro
" long the interview, but hurried towart
the door. and reached the vestibule be-
:. fore l came up with her.
u You can't go any farther, Mr.. Glen
IL arm," she said, and waited as though
l. to make sure l understood. Straigh
= before us through the wood and he
9 yond the school buildings the sunse
!" faded sullenly. Night was following
fast upon the gray twilight and al
8 ready the bolder planets were aflam
T. - I'll,