The Washington herald., 1919-07-04
THE CHOIR INVISIBLE

By JAMES LANE ALLEN.

Few writers of American fiction are
better qualified to present the early
history Of Kentucky than is James
Lane Allen. himself a native of the
Blue Grass State.
He chose as his setting for THE
Choir Invisible" that picturesque per-
iod during Washington's administra-
tion when the Mississippi was just
being opened for navigation, and great
tides Of pioneers were migrating
through the Allegheny highway to
settle the sparsely populated regions
of the West and South.
Lexington. Kentucky. CHANGING to
be directly in the path of one tri-
butary OF this current. received not
only many of those who were aban-
doning the cities of the coast for the
untried territory of a newer land, but
also others who. having tested out the
Utopian Western country and left
their health. wealth. and dreams OF
success, were returning broken-hearteo
to the homes from which they had
come.
Hence in Lexington one encountered
persons Of every class There were
students from William and Mary Col
1ege. voyageurs travelling for adven-
ture. traders. the gentler bred English
and even an occasional group OF
friendly Indians.
It was a heterogeneous populace.
high of courage and strong of forti-
tude. that amid clearing in forest and
cane-brake laid the foundation of this
fine old Southern city; a populace not
to be daunted by discomfort, priva-
tion, or unceasiAg toll.
The heroes and heroines who thus
sacrificed their lives on the altar OF
civilization have, the author tells US,
long since Joined the choir invisible
q. of the immortal dead" but they have
left behind them a heritage that come
down to US through the centuries.
The chief character OF the story Is
John Gray. the master in the little
log schoolhouse. and we have a charm
ing glimpse Of him: "a young fellow
wearing simply but with gentlemanIy
care suit of black which was re-
lieyed around his wrists and neck
; by linen. snow-white and of the finest
quality" He had a handsome head
covered with thick red hair. We are
told, and was a man OF such integrity
as to render him a worthy descendant
from one of CromwelTs unconquer-
, able. hymn-singing army"
We therefore are not surprised no
find him holding himself aloof from
the follies OF the time, and seeking
out the comradeship of those to whom
the finer and nobler things of life
appeal Yet he is very human-a crea-
ture of anger, passion. and a multi
tude Of moods. Moreover it is quite
consistent with his character that
he should fall in love with a woman
uuh ha LNalo
who was perhaps the first beautiful
girl of aristocratic birth ever seen in
kentucky. and the first of the famous
train of those who for a hundred years
: since have wrecked or saved lives or
men" She is a coQuette, vain, shall
low, and incapable OF deep feeling.
and she tosses Johns love aside in a
moment of pique for that Of Joseph
Holden; afterward, on discovering
that there is a prospect of Johns
inheriting a fortune and becoming
person of importance, she shamelessly
offers to rid herself Of Joseph and re-
instate John in her graces.
John Gray, however, is not to be
SO lightly dropped and picked up
again The episode proves to him
that his idol has feet of clay. ana
with his faith in her shattered he
bids her farewell.
< Amy, in the meantime, has made
her home with her aunt and uncle,
Major and Mrs. Falconer. Mrs. Fall
coner stands out against background
of high-born Virginian ancestry-a
background of Jewels. brocades. fans,
and satin slippers; of balls and
nninuets; of wide-reaching plantations
and slaves. The major has been one
of those who has heroically fought
in the Revolution. and to whom the
Southern beauty out of patriotic
gratitude has given her hand, bravely
following him into. the Kentucky
wilderness. Unfortunately. although
neither of the pair confess 1t, the mar
riage has been an uncongenial one.
Both, however, are too noble minded
TO do otherwise than be true to the
union that holds them together. Yet
there Is a scar Of disappointment be-
meath the surface, and in the womans
heart a WEAKNESS and longing that
nothing satisfies. During John Gray's
visits to her Mrs. Falconer has be-
come deeply interested in the young
schoolmaster who Is about her own
age, and whose tastes she shares.
Between them a. coppanionship has
sprung up which each honestly mis-
takes for friendship.
Aray's attraction for the man has
been an untutored impulse Of the
senses; but Jessica Falconer's power
over him is one Of deep spiritual in
spiration.
When he awakens to the discovery
that In reality it is Mrs. Falconer
whom he loves his reverence for her.
her purity. and her loyalty to her
husband all bind him~to silence She
also loves him but is In honor bound
q Etve him no sign. and henes with