The Human Chord

topped abruptly, looked about hi

the great draught of air was profoundly satisfying. He turned to catch his companion's eye. "There's a savage and desolate beauty here that uplifts. It helps the mind to dwell upon the full

smiling, and who, further, had been made suddenly aware that in this somber setting of bleak and elemental nature the g

man was saying; "fine terror, I mean, of course-just en

s a lost atom whirling somewhere outside on his own account, whereas the other seemed oddly in touch with it, almost merged and incorporated into it. With those deep breaths the clergyman abso

blew suddenly across his face. With his bare head and shaggy flying hair, his big eyes and bold aquiline nose, he presented an impressive figure. Spinrobin watched him with growing amazement, aware that an enthusiasm scarcely warranted by the wind and scenery had

learing in the woods that evidently represented lawns. The phrase "courage and imagination" flashed unbidden into his mind as he realized the loneliness of the situation, a

," he suggested. "I

eed seek truth and pursue it, for the world does not enter here." He paused a moment. "I hope, Mr. Spinrobin," he added, turning towards him with that gentle

spite of his marked peculiarities, inspired him with confidence. His personal attraction was growing e

erious work, sir," replied the young

wind behind; the silence that dwells in the folded hills fell about their steps; the air grew less keen; the trees multiplied, gathering them in with fingers of mist and shadow. Only the clatter of their boots on the rocky path, and the heavy bass of the clergyman's voice shouting instructi

d there?" Mr. Sk

r. Skale," he would r

com

the more open ground about the house. Somehow, in the jostling relations of the walk, a freedom of intercourse had been established

ed the clerg

en watching him closely, weighing, testing, proving him, though by ways and methods so subtle that they had escaped his observation at the time; secondly, that he was already so caught in the network of this personality, vaster and more powerful than his own, that escape if he desired it would be exceedingly difficult. Like a man in a boat upon the upper Ni

ace of his soul. The forces that vibrated so strangely in the atmosphere of Mr. Skale were already playing about his own person, gathering h