An Ambitious Man

g. People paused on the street to listen to the glorious sounds, and were thrilled by them,

scussing some question pertaining to the well-being of the church, the music penetrated

can be heard," remarked one man. "You have

ssion of somewhat sensuous enjoyment of the throbbing chords whic

" asked the deacon, as a p

en she volunteered her services as organist. The position brought her no remuneration, and at that time she did not need it. Young as she was, the girl was one of the most active workers among

ath, and when I was called to take charge of St Blank's, I at once realised the benefit to the family as well as to my church co

nally written for the Garden Scene in Faust, and which the church has

heart, calling unto human heart. Mr Stuart and the deacons sat silently drinking in the music. At length the rector rose. "I think perhaps we had better drop the matter under discussio

chair, and gave himself up to the enjoyment of the sounds wh

mbition and gives me courage and hope, and yet-" He paused before allowing his feeling to shape itself into thoughts. Then closing his eyes and clasping his hands behind his head while the music surged about him, he lay back in his easy-chair as a bather might lie back and float upon the water, and his

o find him silently watching her. She played her phrase to the end, before she greeted him with other than a smile. Then she apologised, saying: "Even one's rector must wait for a musical phrase to reach it

our smile would be ungrateful indeed if he asked for more. That alone

crimson, like a rose bathed in

ere a man to coin pret

ny longer. The sunlight and the air are vying with each other to-day to see which can be the most intoxicating. Come and enjoy their sparring match with

was like a beautiful woman arrayed in her fresh aut

he young couple walked through the crowded avenues of the great city, as happily and as na

th were as unfashionable and untrammelled

terior village when a young man, he had, through simple and quiet tastes and religious convictions, kept himself wholly free from the social life of the city in which he lived. After his marriage his entire happine

c, books, and a large share of her time given to

emblage; she had never attended a theat

hing and cared less for the rules which govern the promenading habits of young women in New York. Her sweet face and graceful figure were well kn

hich we so often find in town-bred young men of intellectual pursuits. He was clean-minded, independe

as freely as he would have asked her to sit with him in a

there are thousands like myself who are almost wholly debarred from its pleasures. I have always wanted to walk here, but once I came and a rude man in a carriage spoke to me. Mother told me never to come alone again. It seems strange to me that men who are so proud of their strength, and who should be the

om a lower animal condition to his present state, and how much higher he is to-day than he was a hundred years ago ev

tion?" Joy asked with a no

t preach from my pulpit. My congregation is not ready for broad truths. I am like an eclectic physician-I su

one should preach and teach what he believes to be true and right, no matter what his congregation demands. Oh

stic bench now, under th

olour and expression. He felt he could well afford to be criticised or rebuked by her, if the result was so g

fraid that I will wander from the old dogmas, that I am constantly checking myself. However, in regard to the case I mentioned to you-it is a delicate subject, but you are not like ord

to live with this aunt. I remember her as a bright, buoyant and very intelligent girl. I have not seen her now during two months; and last week I asked Miss Adams what had become of her niece. Then the poor woman broke into sobs and told me the sad state of affairs. It seems t

he daughter settled into a profound melancholy, from which nothing seemed to rouse he

influence and association lead her out of herself. You could make her acquaintance through approaching the mother who is a milliner, on business, and your tact would do the rest. In all my large and wealthy congregation I know of no other woman to whom I could appeal for aid in this delicate matter, so I am sure you wi

Christ-woman, believed that all professed church members must feel the sam

seldom take them home. They think I mean somebody else. These are the people who follow the letter and not the spirit of the chu

on the rector had cast upon his congre

would show mercy and sympathy to poor Miss Adams. Surely few, very few, would forget Christ's words to Mary M

or smile

ve Miss Adams for her sin-and cut her dead. They would daily crucify her and her innocent child by their cold scorn or utter

anner, until 'Go and sin no more' sounds to the poor unfortunate more like 'Go just as far away from me and mine as you can get-and sin no more!' Only one in that score puts Christ's merciful and tend

to pass through a second Gethsemane for her sin. I think any girl or boy whose home life is shadowed, is to be pitied. I have always had such a happy home, and such dear parents, the world would seem insupportable, I am sure, were I to face it without that background.

confronted her with the story. It is the one situation in life where a lie is excusable, I think. It would have saved this poor girl

ieve it ever saves sorrow. But I see you do not mean what you say, you only feel very sorry for the