The Washington herald., 1909-05-02

II must have a talk with you alone"
he said, glancing toward the two young
men
"Oh, but you are a funny man" she
laughed, though this time there was q
trace OF nervousness m the tones. You
are funny mani Are ali-are al cler-
gymen Ike you?"
But the young man never hinched, only
his ayes glowed sternly. Il have a right
"a sacred duty" he said, calmly. 'and
: insist upon IT."
Lucy Chancellor glanced quickly Up at
the hard. set face. and for a moment q
look OF apprehension leaped into her eyes.
But It was gone on the instant, and once
more the hearty, joyous laugh pealed
forth
''Tush, man." she said quickly. don't
be a Phariseei Come and choose your
cue" and she turned 70 the two young
men at the fire. "We'n play ycu two
for a tenner"
The eyes Of the young minister flashed
IRE Is he answered severely, Miss Chan
celIor. I have higher things 10 think OF
than the frivollty OF the bfIlard-roon-
And I DO not intend that I shall be flouted
by you IN the exercise OF my high calling.
am here as one intrusted with the care
Of your immortal soul, and I must speak
out. Again demand a private inter
view with you"
Somehow the words, uttered IN 4 SOL
emn intensity. killed the laughter in her
face. With q gesture Of annoyance she
took CD one OF the ivories and sent II
spinning down the table,
II think" she said haughtily, that
you are an-an impertinent fellow, and I
leave, shall ask one OF my friends 20
put you out" and once more she looked
toward the fireplace.
BY Cad, Lucy" said the younger man,
well soon put the Johnnie out. # that's
his little game" and he tried to look
brave
The older man cooliy chalked his cue.
You'll hold your own, Miss Chancellor"
he said. laughing. The parson'H find
that he has tlcklish fly 10 handla
la, har'
Gilbert Rutherfurd looked toward the
two men. and in his eyes there was q
frs Of contempt 7 think you are q
brute 10 use words Ike these IN the pres
encs OF a lady" he said. sternly- Then
be turned TO the girl Miss Chancellor" ["
he said. with slow emphasis, you are
not beyond persuasion; am assured Of
that. But did not come to handy words
with-fOols- have a message for you"
he drew himself up to his fun height
and exclaimed in solemn tones: Thou
art a hidden root OF bitterness n this,
my parish. and thou shalt hear the word
Of the Master by the mouth OF His ser
want"
The intensity OF his voice awed her for
a moment 4 blush Of shame flooded her
neck ard face, and as quickly gave place
TO an ashen pallor. With an almost i'm
percepuble gasp she put her 1eweIed
hand to her side. and the young man
could see the agitation Of her breathing.
As he looked, his eyes lost the fearless,
fierce expression Of the denoUncer OF sin
in high places. and the look OF tender
ness caused the hard, stern face 70 take
On a new expression. Il was, indeed. a
wonderfully fair face on which his gaze
was rivited. Under the wealth Of auburn
hair he saw the face OF q Madonna and
10 wording. Almost before he knew
1t he found himself feasting greedy eyes
on that marvellous beauty. He looked at
the linpid eyes seen through dropping
lashes, Ike the glimmer OF moonlit water
through bosly avenues. He noted the
delicate arching Of finely penciIed eye
brows. the long, curving Iashes, the pout
OF the rosy lips. the set OF the long,
slender neck.
But quickly ne came 70 himself again.
and with a smothered groan shut his
eyes tightly as II 10 keep out the sight
had never known before. He condemned
himself for the moment Of that look He
had come rs the stern, infiexibIe servant
Of the church, and. 10, at a look he had,
IN his own eyes, sunk TO the level Of the
sinking imbeciles at the fireplace. A
great wave Of self-cOntempt surged
through his soul, and he tried once more
to see in the girl who stood before him
only a human soul In deadly peril When
he spoke again bis words were almost
wistfully tender.
Miss Chancellor" he said. 7 renem-
Der that you are an orphan, that you
have not known a mothers love, a faith
ers care. God alone knows how strong
are your temptations, but believe that
have been sent TO stand by you-to
sympathiZe and 10 guide VIII you not
let me have a word with you?''
by Cad. Harry" said the rabbit-faced
youth IN q loud whisper, parsons try
! ing another tack Cunning Johnnie, eh?''
you trust the clawth for that" an
swered the other. with sneer.
silence. you repule," thundered the
minister, making a quick step toward the
fireplace But no." he added. in his
slow, quiet voice. you are utterly be-
meath my contempt"
Lucy Chancellor fully expected that
stepped back. But when the singing
words Of the minister were received mere
Il with haIf-snsothered outlaws, she turn
ed TO her companions.
''WiU you allow that?" she said taunt-
lgIy.
"Aw-wen. m dear" drawled the Hon.
Reggie. fact IS, Pm wather sowwy tol
the poor ps'son. AUS fair N love and
war, don't Y know. Deuced interesting
| love scene"
Gilbert Rutherfurd's face grew ashen
| IL its Pallor, and a fierce anger corded
his brow at the sneering insinuation. He
did not stop to consider that, but an
hour before. he had though Of Lucy
Chancellor as little better than q wan
ton. but N the moment Of that look into
her clear. innocent eyes he had been
transformed from the denouncer Of this