The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-08-05
s<AMAZING GRACE"

Then, after his precipitate fash
ion, he waited for no more. Ho
paused at the edge of the plat
form for a low-toned colloldy
with Collins could easily dis
tinguish now that the liveried
creature was Collins-and the two
disappeared down the track. Aft
er the briefest delay he returned.
What can't be cured must be
ignored" he said with a shrug, as
he came up. THE poor old wom-
an regards us as very impious
and-American. but | made ev-
erything all right witk~her."
But how" / started to in
quire, also at the same moment
starting down the track toward
the lodge house, when he stopped
both my question and my pro-
gress.
"Let us wait here-I have sent
Collins to get a car for us from
the garage not far away"
He led the way out to a drive,
sheltered with trees.
Is this your carr" | presently
asked, as the servant driving a
cleaning black machine drew up
in front of us. 81 hadn't imagined
that you would have your own car
down In the country with you"
1--WE had experience with these
trains" he explained briefly. then
he looked the car over with a mas
terful eye. Yes, it's mine," and
he helped me in.
At the second lodge-the grand
one-I pinched myself. / had to,
to see whether l was awake.
Maitland TAFT, watching me close
ly, saw the act.
You're quite awake" he as
sured me gravely.
The car was gliding over a
bridge, and underneath was a sill
very, glinting ribbon, that might,
In fairy-land, pass for a river.
Shall l stop the car and let
you dabble the toe of your shoe
In the water?" my guide asked.
81 shan't be able to believe Its
just water-unless you do" ex.
planned.
The car obediently let us out
then steamed softly away, up the
road and out of sight.
Mr.. TAFT held out his hand to
me and helped me down the steep
little river bank. | dabbled the
toe Of my shoe in the water and
as he finally drew me away, with
the suggestion of further delights
l caught sight of tiny fish. lying
whitley upward In a tangle OF
weeds.
How could he die?" I asked
mournfully, as We walked away
1T seems so unappreciative."
The man beside me laughed.
"Things-even the most beau.
itful things on earth-don't keel
people-or fish alive" he said
They can't even make people
want to stay alfve-if this is al
they have, and after all, the river
Is just thing-and the park Is
a thing-and the house is q
thing!"
We had walked on rapidly, and
at that moment the house Itself
became apparent. | clutched his
"A thing!" l denied, looking a,
1t In a dazed fashion. "Why. its
the House of a Hundred Dreams.
It's all the dreams of April morn
ings-and Christmas nights -
and"
And what?" he asked gravely
why, it's Religion-and Ar
and Love-and Comfort"
He looked at 1t wonderingly
What he saw was q tangle O.
gravel walks, drawing away from
grassy places and coming uI
sharply against the house. Sucl
a house. A church, tomb -
fluttering curtained living-hall-
all stretched out in one long chair
of battlemented stone. Wher,
the church began and the living
hall ended no one could say. fol
there were trees everywhere.
THE lower part of the abbey |,
in good condition, 1t seems" m,
conductor remarked, as we ap
preached.
Good condition." cried
why those doorways are as real
istic as-Sunday morning."
High above the doors was
great open space of missin,
window; then, over this. smalle
spaces for smaller windows: an,
lin a niched pinnacle-the vir
gin.
How can she endure all thi
beauty?" / asked, my voice hush
ed with awe.
| She's endured IL for man,
centuries, 1t seems" he answered
| But we came closer then.
why, she hasn't even seen it
not once!" I cried, for 1 saw thel
that she was not looking up, bu
down-at the burden In her arms
| Instinctively Maitland Tai
barred his head as we crossed tn
threshold.
| Shall we try to find a wa
through here into the gardens?
he asked.