Manchester Democrat., 1910-03-23
AN EASTER REVELATION
She was the pretty soprano at the

"AAS 1upPiAGu tAC puppy AA thO dUScuSS
of DR.. Raymond. Towering six feet
from the ground, with a physique
to match his seventy-two inches, Theo-
dore Small had been the pride Of his
college on the football team. Added
to this he possessed face that mer-
tied the kindly badinage of his friends
in calling him Apollo" BY nature
frank, cordial and sincere, with tai
ents that won admiration wherever he
was known. the young theologue's fu-
ture seemed full of promise.
His fellow-students often rallied him
on his power over the fair sex, de-
claring he had but to smile to win
the heart of every woman, old or
young.
But Theodore Small. in spite OF his
twenty-five years and his association
with many women, had never felt his
pulse quicken at the sight of one more
than another.
Many eyes OF blue and black and
brown were wont to brighten whenever
Theodore drew near. But it was a
one-sided devotion. Courteous and
chiyalrous toward all women he had
the unconscious power of making each
one feel as if 1t were toward herself
alone that these kindly attentions were
shown.
But the first Sunday morning that
he supplied the pulpit at the Church
on the Hill. Theodore was conscious
of a new pleasurable sensation as he
walked slowly up the aisle OF the al
most empty church.
The mellow light from the richly
colored windows shone in golden
ray across the choir gallery, where
the singers were rehearsing the hymns
for the morning service. The sun
beam ended where young girl stood
IA girl with large blue eyes and a
wealth of hair that shone like gold in
the sunshine.
The church was echoing with the
last strains of the song, and Theodore
felt an added interest in his duty as
his eyes fell on the fair soprano. The
deacon who accompanied him intro
duced him to the little group. Hilda
Parker was the last to receive the
courtly bow from the mornings preach
Or.
A few minutes later and the audi
torium had begun to fill. The sermon
was one Of the young students best
and at the close, as he descended from
the pulpit and mingled with the peo-
pie, he heard many commendatory
words. When at last the postlude
ceased and the Sunday school service
began. he felt a strong sense of an
3tfcipation asthe took his place before
DR.. Raymond's class several pews
full of bright-faced young men and
women. 1t was difficult task to take
the pastors place. for DR.. Raymond
was the idol of his people, and espe-
cially we're these young people wont to
criticise any supply. &
It was Hilda Parker's little brother
Phil who had remarked in Almost dis
couraged tone one time, "Oh, dear, /
don't like these specimens they send
US from the Seminary"
But Theodore Small was happily un-
conscious of this feeling. He was con
tent that Hilda Parker sat demurely
before him, busily coming her Bible
and Blakeslee lesson book. The class
was an interesting one and Theodore
enjoyed the half hour better than he
dared confess to himself.
Five, Sundays ere January did he
supply the pulpit and in that incred-
IDLY short time he had become remark
ably well acquainted with his parish.
toner's, especially the members of DR..
'Raymond's class-and Hilda Parker.
Then DR.. Raymond's health broke
down. and he was forced to take a
much needed rest. Theodore was unan-
imously asked to fill the pulpit during
the pastors absence. 1t is needless to
say that he accepted
Hilda's ,mother-dear woman that
she was-was blind to any earthly
cause of her daughters new interest
in all religious matters. She herself,
an earnest worker In the church and
the president of the Women's Helping
League, thought only of Hilda's spir-
itual awakening.
Theodore found 1t his duty to call
frequently on his people. Mr.. Parker,
as one of the deacons of the church,
and the young minister, often con-
ferred together. Theodore sought his
counsel in many pastoral duties, ex-
planning that he wished the work to
go on during DR.. Raymond's absence
as nearly like his methods as POSSIBLE.
Somehow Theodore seemed to call on
evenings when Hilda was at home.
Possibly the deacon was more astute
than his wife, for his eyes twinkled
one night when he detected disap-
pointed look on the young minister's
face when he informed him that the
ladies were both out.
Easter was the last Sunday before
DR.. Raymond's return. Theodore's life
at the Church on the Hill was nearly
over. Next month he would gradu.
ate from the Seminary and go where
duty called. He noticed a sad little
droop in Hilda's mouth as she extend
ed her hand in welcome before the
morning service. and he duly wonder
ed at himself that he did not feel sorry
for her. He had never been in love
before, you know.
Hilda Parker never sang better than
she did that Easter morning and as
her sweet soprano voice echoed
through the fower-laden air of the
church in the strains of Messiah
like beautiful revelation came the
knowledge to Theodore Small that he
loved Hilda Parker with all the
strength of his manhood.
That evening after the usual Easter
concert. he watched Hilda closely lest
she escape him. for he felt that he
must see her alone ere he slept. But
Hilda was an unusually long time
gathering up her music, and the
church was nearly deserted when
Theodore slowly mounted the steps
Into the choir loft.
Are you reauy to go. Miss Park
er?' he queried.
AS they emerged from the brightly
lighted church into the darkness out
side his heart was full of the words
he longedlto utter. He could not SEE