The state herald., 1913-03-28


the entire second gospel, and second
OF the ten doubtful verses In the nj
teenth chapter. My work is now &C
complished-for all time. I believe.
From the inception Of what con-
sidered my life mission. I made the re-
solve to beQueath to Agatha Shaw
whatever manuscripts or other mate
rial of value my work should lead me
to accumulate. together with this
house. in which have spent all the
later years of my life. You are Aga
tina Shaw's only child. therefore to
me q foster-child.
Another reason, four years ago. LED
me to confirm my former testament.
From time to time I have informed
myself concerning your movements
and fortunes. The work you have
chosen. my dear Agatha. can but be-
lieve to be fraught with unusual dan
gers to young woman. Therefore
! hope that this home. modest as 1t
is. may tempt you to an early retire
ment from the stage. and lead you to
more private and womanly career
This l make only as request. not as
condition. bid you farewell. and
give you my blessing.
| Faithfully yours.
HERCULES THAYER"
Agatha Redmond folded the thin
sheets carefullye There was a 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 visit
to a large country house and OF a
solemn old mamie seemed incredibly
ancient to her-and Of feeling that In
some way che and her mother were In
a special relationship to the house. II
was called "the old red house." and
was full OF fascinating things. The
ancisnt man had bidden her go about
and play as II II were her home. and
then had called her to him and laid
open 4 book. leading her mind to re-
gard its mysteries. Greek! II seemed
TO her as II she had begun II there
and then. Later the mother became
the teacher. She was nursed. as II
were. within sight OF the windy plains
Of Troy and to the sound Of Homeric
hymns-and all by reason of this
ancient scholar.
| There was vivid picture in her
mind. gathered at some later visit, OF
a soft hillside. n small white church
standing under its balm-ofgilead tree
and herself sitting by stone In the
old churchyard. listening to the strains
Of a hymn which fioated out from the
high. narrow windows. She remem
bercd how from without she had
Joined the hymn. singing with all her
small might: and suddenly the asso
citation brought back to her more
recent event and more beautiful
strain OF music. Half in reverie. hall
In conscious pleasure In the exercise
Of fncile organ. she began to sing:
Free of my pain. free of my burden OF
sorrow.
AZ last I shall SEQ thee
The song fioated in a zone OF nj
lence that lay above the deep-mur
muring city. The voice was no moro
than the hnlf.voice OF n flute. sweet
gentle. beguiiing. II told. as many
songs tell. OF little earthly Love In the
grasp OF mighty Fate. stili she sans
on softly.
Suddenly the song ceased. and the
reminiscent smile gave place to an
expression OF surprise. as tho singer
became conscious OF deeper shadow
falling directly In front OF her She
glanced up quickly. and found herself
looking into the face OF man whose
girnletiike sazc was directed upon
herself
Quickly she rose. she could no,
turn Into the path before the gentle
man. hst In hand. with n deep bow and
clearly cnuncintcd words. arrested her
impulse 10 night.
Pardon. Madcmoisciic. I nm a
stranger In tho city. I was directed
this way to Van Cortlandt Hall. but
nnd am In error. intrisucd-in con.
fusion. Would madcmoiscilc bo no
good as TO direct mc1'
Tho tones hnd foreign accent
There was something. also. In their
bland impertineneo which put Misp
Redmond ON her guard. Iic was n
good aixcd. blond person. carefully
dressed. and at least appeared like
n gentleman.
Miss Redmond looked into tho
smooth. neat countcnabcc. upon which
no record either OF experience or OF
thought was engraved. and decided
nectingly that hc was lying She
Judged him capable OF p'cklng up nc,
qunintaneen on the street, but though,
that more originality might be OK,
pec,ed OF him.
Suddenly she wished that she had
returned sooner To her car. for though
she was OF mn adventurous nature. her
bravery was not OF the phyniual ordar. 7.