The log cabin Democrat., 1916-05-09
THE SILVER GLEhM By IzoLA FORESTER.

able to play for the Easter service, and see the beauty of it all as well, please God"
 Esther stood just back of the choir stalls, on her way into the little room where the altar hangings were kept. She could not but pause as she caught the words, and Mrs. Sturges' warm, motherly voice answering back:
 There isn't one heart that will not rejoice with him. In the three years since he came here he has endeared himself so to all of us that his joy is our joy. Does he know?'
 He is hoping, as we are," said Stanley. "cf course, until the ban dages are removed he cant be cer- tain. I wish you and Miss Sturges could come over and see him. He asks every day for you both'
 Esther slipped away into the vestry and laid away the hangings. There was small passageway that led out into the old-fashioned garden between the church and the rectory, and she slipped out that way instead of wait A-Ato Aoi iiCA hIOtliCi anu IlCl II
 The air was sweet with spring odors. There had been a light, quick rain, and everything seemed to ex- ude fragrance. How often she had walked up and down the Jagged walks with Roy, talking of all the things they two loved best, helping him to bear his blindness.
 He had told her it was her voice and the touch of her hand that first made him care for her. These and her eager, sympathetic understanding had made them so companionable, and it was companionship he craved most ly. Their common love of music, too, was another strong factor.
 But as he had grown more fervent in his love for her she had evaded him. Knowing his great love for beau tiful things she believed that if ever his sight returned his love for her would die. Not that she was homely, but she was not beautiful, and she, too loved beauty as he did, the Greek perfection of line, the rare Saxon beauty of coloring
 Roy himself was like a picture she had seen once of young Olympian racer, tall and blond, with the Greek profile and only the closed, futterng eyelids to tell of what he lacked. But she was little and brown, brown hair and eyes, skin that always freckled with the first spring winds and fea- lures that were Gallic in their irregu- lar provocative contour.
 She passed some boys bearing palms into the church for Easter serv- ice. There would be a full choral service, with the mixed choir, and she was to sing in the offertory anthem
 She made an excuse that afternoon while her mother went to call on Roy, When she heard that they had taken the bandages off his eyes and that he could see, she prayed silently that she might be thankful with all her heart for him and think nothing of her. self.
 AS the choir came up the chanceI steps on Easter day, the girls last of all in their Oxford caps and snowy collars. Roy lifted his head to watch them. He was not strong enough yet to play the full service, but he was to play the offertory anthem, and he wondered which of the singers was Esther. One was tall and fair as one Of the lilies themselves, and one was dark haired, with blue eyes uplifted to the angel in the stained glass win. dow above the altar. Which one. he asked himself, which of them all was Esther?
 Not until there came the hush be fore the offertory did he see her. As he took his place at the grand old organ, she rose with the others. but when he began her solo, he saw her face, not turned toward him, but lift. cd as she sang the beautiful words.
 Esther, you stay and see if any of the flowers need changing. dear, will you?' asked Mrs. Sturges after services.
 She was glad of the excuse Out In the garden, people crowded in the bright sunlight. She dreaded meeting Roy there before them all, having to bear his gaze when he first looked on her
 She fingered among the palms and flowers until all was quiet out oI doors, then she stepped into the gar, den and found him waiting for her there.
 I wanted to see you" he said sim ply, and stood looking down at her Weren't you glad for me0"
 She nodded her head, afraid to speak, the color rising in her face under his scrutiny. And with the in. tuitive gift that had come to him in his days of blindness, he seemed to appreciate at once what her fear had been.
 Why did you dread my seeing you?n
 "Because l knew you loved all things beautiful, and" she laughed and shook her head-"Roy, I'm not even pretty