The Detroit times., 1912-03-20
CHAPT Err I.
Contlntred.


1T is painful for me TO recall the
scene and the consequences OF your
mothers refusal OF my hand even at
ter these years OF philosophical re-
Election. II were idle for a man or
parts TO allow q mere preference al
regard to his domestic situation 10
influence his course OF action in any
essential matter. and | have never
permitted my career 10 be shaped by
such details. But from that time.
however, the course OF my life was
changed. From the impassioned ORA
tor and preacher | was transformed
into the man OF books and the study,
and since then | have lived far trcm
the larger concourses of men. Ny
weekly sermon. for 20 years, has been
the essence OF my weekly toll In es-
tablishing the authenticity. first, or
the entire second gospel, and second,
OF the 10 doubtful verses In tie Gf-
leenth chapter. My work is now ac-
complished-for all time, believe.
From the inception OF what | con-
sidered my life mission, | made the
resolve 10 bequeath 10 Agatha Shaw
whatever manuscripts or other ma
terial OF value my work should lead
me 10 accumulate, together WITH this
house, in which | have spent all the
later years of my life. You are
Agatha Shaws only child. therefore
10 me foster-child.
Another reason. four years ago,
led me 10 confirm my former testa-
ment. From time TO time | have in
formed myself concerning your move
ments and fortunes. The work you
have chosen. my dear Agatha, | ca?
but believe TO be fraught with unusual
dangers to a young woman. There
fore hope that this home, modest ms
ii is, may tempt you TO an early re-
tirement from the stage. and lead you
10 a more private and womanly ca
reer. This | make only as request
not as condition. | bid you fare
we'll, and give you my blessing.
Faithfully yours,
HERCULES THAYER.
Agatha Redmond folded the thin
sheets carefully. There was mist
in her gaze as she looked OF toward
the distant city lights.
Dear old gentleman His whole
love-story, and my mothers, too, per
haps," Her quickened memory re
called childish impressions OF a visi'
to a large country house and OF 0
solemn old mamie seemed inc:ed-
IDLY ancient to her-and OF feeling
that In some way she and her mother
were in a special relationship to the
house. It was called the old red
house" and was full Of fascinating
things. The ancient man had hidden
her 60 about and play as II 1t were
her home, and then had called her to
him and laid open book. Leading
her mind TO regard its mysteries
Greek, 1t seemed TO her as IL see
had begun il there and then. Later
the mother became the teacher. Shc
was nursed, as it were, within sight
OF the windy plains OF Troy and 10 the
sound OF the Homeric hymns-and al
By reason of this ancient scholar.
There was a vivid picture IN hc'
, mind. gathered at some later visit, o!
! a soft hillside. small white church
standing under It's balm-of. gilead Tree
and herself sitting by stone in the
old -churchyard, listening 10 tle
strains OF a hymn which tioated on;
! from the high. narrow windows. she
remembered how, from without, she
had Joined in the hymn, singing Will
all her small might; and suddenly the
! association brought back TO her 9
more recent event and more beautl
| full strain OF music Half in rcverie
half in conscious pleasure In the ex
ercise Of facile organ, she began 10
sing:
Free of my pain, free of my burden
Of sorrow,
At last | shall see thee"
The song floated In zone OF silence
that lay above the deep-murmurine
city. The voice was no more than the
half-voice of flute, sweet, gentle, be
quilting. IL told, as go many songs
tell. of little earthlyAeYei the GRASP
of mighty Fate Still she sang on
softly. as IL loving the enhancing
melody.
Suddenly the song ceased, and the
reminiscent smile gave place 10 a.
expression of surprise, as the singer
became conscious of a deeper shadow
falling directly in front of her She
glanced up quickly, and found herscli
looking into the face of man whose
gimlet-like gaze was directed upon
herself
Quickly as she rose. she could rot
turn into the path before the gentle
man, hat in hand, with deep how
and clearly enunciated words, arrest