Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-09

! OIL the bluG Truss STATE.
| He chose as his setting for The
| Choir Invisible that picturesque
period during shington's admins
| tration when the Mississippi wa
| just being opened for navigation
! and great tides OF pioneers were
migrating through the Allegheny
highway to settle the sparsely pop
ulated regions of the west and
south.
Lexington, Ky, CHANGING to be
directly in the path of one tribu-
tary of thsi current, received not
only many of those who were aban-
doning the cities of the coast for
the untried territory Of a new land
but also others who, having tested
out the UtoDian western country
and left there health, wealth and
dreams OF success, were returning
broken-hearted to the homes from
which they had come.
Hence in Lexington one encoun-
tered persons Of every class. There
were students from William and
Mary college, voyagers travelling for
adventure, trades, the gentler- bred
English coIonist from Virginia,
homesteaders, and even an occasion
al group Of friendly Indians.
1t was a heterogeneous populace,
high of courage and strong of forth
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 dis
comfort, privation or unceasing toll.
The heroes and heroines who thus
sacrificed their lives on the altar
of civilization have, the author tells
us, long since joined 1.-The choir In
visible of the Immortal dead" but
they have left behind them a heri-
tage that has come down to us
through the centuries.
The chief character Of the story
is John Gray, the master in the lit
tie log school house, and we have
charming glimpse of him: ga
young fellow of powerful build, lean,
muscular, wearing simply but with
gent1emanly care q suit of black
which was relieved 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
man of such integrity as to rem
der him a worthy descendant from
one of CromwelPs unconquerable,
hymn singing army"
We therefore are not surprised to
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 creature of anger, passion and a
multitude of moods. Moreover, it is
quite consistent with his character
that he should fall In love with a
woman whom he idealizes, Amy Fal-
coner. who was perhaps the first
of the famous train of those who
for a hundred years since have
wrecked or saved the lives of men,.
She is coquette, vain, shallow, and
incapable of deep feeling, and she
losses Johns love aside in a moment
Of pique for that of Joseph Holden;
afterward, on discovering that there
is prospect of Johns inheriting
a fortune and becoming a person Of
Importance, she shamelessly offers
to rid herself Of Joseph and rein
state 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, and
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. Fal-
coner stands out against a back
1f u, ioI ipio
cestry-a background of Jewels
brocades, fans and satin slippers J;
Of balls and minuets; of wide
reaching plantations and slaves. The
major has been one Of those who
has herocally fought in the revo-
luton, and to whom the southern
beauty out of patriotic gratitude
has given her hand, bravely fol-
lowing him into Kentucky wilder
ness. Unfortunately, although
neither Of the pair confess it, the
marriage 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 scar of dis
appointment beneath the surface
and in the woman's heart a weari-
ness and longing that nothing salts
fies. During John Gray's visits to
her niece Mrs. Falconer has become
deeply interested in the young
schoolmaster who is about her own
age, and whose tastes she shares.
Between them companionship has
sprung up which each honestly mis-
takes for friendship.
Amy's attraction for the man has
been an untutored impulse of the
senses; but Jessica Falconer's pow
er over him is one Of deep spiritual
inspira ton.
When he awakens to the discov-
cry that in reality it is Mrs. Fal-
coner 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 to give him no
sign, and hence with their love un-
spoken he goes east ostensibly to
recover the legacy he expects to in
herit, but determined never to re-
turn.
The lawsuit for his property goes
against him and he is cast into Jail
for debt, from which ignominy the
efforts of friends release him. He is
proud man and wishing to pay
this debt of gratitude he proposes
to marry the daughter of the fam
lily that has befriended him. Be-
fore the marriage, however, he tells
his future bride quite frankly that
he loves someone else who is not
free, and it is with this knowledge
that she accepts him. While the
wedding is in preparation a letter
comes to him from Mrs. Falconer
announcing the death of her hus-
band, and in the silent hope that his
fiancee will give him his liberty he
acquaints her with the change in
his prospects. We gather from the
text that the girl is unwilling to
give him up, and as he is too hon
orable to demand his freedom he
carries out his pledge.
All ignorant of this turn of events