The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1908-06-03
WHOLE NO. 1857

When the long sermon was finished
the organ commenced a well known
prelude, two gray haired wardensI
creaked up the aisle and received theI
oaken contribution boxes, while theY
choir arose to sing the offertory.
Christ the Lord Is risen today. ALL
le-lu-ian'
That was Lucy's voice rising high
above the other singers, and again El
wood felt that tender apprehension
lest she should fail. When the second
stanza was begun her tones werei
strained and tremulous.
shes going to break down" whis- 1
pered one of the women In the seat be-
hind him.
10. our suns eclipse Is GER
1t had happened. With a dscordant
wall like the breaking of violin
string Lucy Clifford's voice died out.
The startled choir paused for an In
slant, and then from the congregation
burst mans strong voice, "Al-lelu-la!"
To triumphant conclusion he car
ried the fine old melody. his rich tenor
| supporting the wayering voices Of the
agitated choir He had seen the white,
| frightened face of Lucy Clifford turned
In his direction, and he threw all the
vigor aud force of his nature into the
third stanza.
Almost unconsciously her tremulous
voice took up the refrain, and once
more their tones We're united. 1t seem
ed AS though her weak utterance rest
ed ON the assured strength of his, and
he carried 1t up-up--to an exultant
close until their voices blended In final
Joyous "Al-le-lu-ia,"
| Lucy Clifford sank back in her seat
with trembling hands and hickering
color in her pale cheeks She did not
| glance at Allen Elwoed. 1t was suffi-
Client for her that he was present and
| that In the hour of her distress he had
| come to her rescue.
| 1t was like him 10 have done that. 1t
was strange that she had permitted
that escapade of his youth to blind her
to his many noble qualities. Well, It
was too late now, but she could re-
member this day. 1t would be pleas
| ant memory TO be stored away against
Il dreary future.
| When the service was concluded,
Lucy Clifford slipped through the side
door Into the churchyard and thence
toward the opening In the stone wall
that led to the homeward path across
lots.
| Elwood did not follow her. Ii would
be of no use. He was too much of a
black sheep But when the dusk fell
he walked slowly along the shore road
until he came TO the old Clifford place.
1t was u long, low, brown house fac
Ing the harbor. Tall cherry trees over
Swallowed Its gabled roof and thick
| hedges OF pungent box bordered the
winding paths. A wind swept up from
| the bay, and u shower of blossoms fell
about him. A whipporwill throbbed
from the bough OF an apple tree. 1t
was like another night that was past.
There was II light step on the gray
eled path, startled exclamation, and
he was holding l4ueys unresistins
hands In his own.
~ have come to ask your forgive
ness, Lucy" lie began tenderly.
May" she murmured TREMENDOUSLY
at Is ! who should ask yours for my
narrow minded preJudices. But that Is
past-I---I tried to steel my heart and
failed and the years have been sc
long, Alien Her voice broke.
II know" lie said slowly, but the
years that are to come Will be long
and sweet, God wiling!'
The whlpporwill whirred away
through the darkness while again the
cherry trees swayed In the breeze and
sent shower of bridal Wilderness over
the lovers ut the gate.