Dominie Dean

ad if all the bitterness that is put into some anthems could kill! To the minister the choir is often a body of unruly artistic temperaments bent on mere secular display of its musical talents; to the

s have felt that unless they battled strenuously they would be tied down to "Old Hundred" and "Blest Be the Tie that Binds," by a minister who did

zed as "style." In a day when women were wearing gray and black striped silks, as they were then, Lucille would concoct with her dressmaker something in orange and black, throw in a bow or two of cerulean blue, and appear well dressed. She could wear a dozen jangling bracelets on

were true an organist was to be brought from Chicago; some asked if it were true that Miss Hurley had refused to play the big new organ. Presently he heard the name of the young

e. Her disappointment had been overwhelming, for little Miss Jane had coveted with all her heart the joy of playing the great, new organ. The news that another was to be organist came like the blow of a brutal fist between her eyes, and she went down. For two days she fought against what she felt must be her great selfishness and then, still weak but ready to do what she felt was her duty, she went to David. 'Thusia, he

ill go on just as you have been going, Miss Jane Hurley

e stammered, twisting h

d needs and has a new dominie! I dare say we can manage to praise the Lord with your finge

be to sit there and feel their hate against my back. You'll think I'm foolish, but if I could face them it would be different; but

ned the s

replied. "There's one who will not look hatred at your back," said David. "And I'm two. And I can take little Roger to church, an

out what Lucille has been suggesting, Miss Hurley! Dear me! you mustn't let anything like that worry you! Why, so

an, and Lucille really got it for

the organist. That is both sides and the middle of

t in a teapot for nothing. 'Thusia, have you a teapot with some

r and display-loving wanting anything else. 'Thusia was able to convey this without saying it. She made it felt, as a woman can when she chooses. A name here, a name there, an incidental mention of Lucille's unfortunate attempt to put her coachman in livery, and Miss Jane saw the church as it was-a few moneyed "pushers" and the body of

ll others who would have been with her had she and her warmest supporters not so often tried to "run" everything connected with the church, but the overwhelming sentiment was that as Miss Jane was "taking lessons" from the best organist in Riverbank, and as Miss Jane had always been organist, and as hiring one would be an a

ess, offering her a glass of sherry, which of course she declined, making him laugh joyously as he always did at "these Peelgrims Fathers," as he good-naturedly called those he considered puritanical. Miss Jane, coming straight from St. Bridget's, had entered the church and had tried the great, new, splendid organ. She was a little afraid of it; she trem

erica could play as Professor Hedden played; that he was our one great master; but she feared what would b

Wiggett and Mary Derling (who had had a little dinner for Professor Hedden), the four members of the

yer's bench and, after resting his hands for a moment on the keyboard, plunged into some tremendous "voluntary" of his own composition, the mountains and the ocean and all the wild winds of Heaven seemed to join in one great burst of gigantic harmony.

her over a babe. David held his breath as the crooning died, softer and softer, until he saw the mother place the sleeping child in its crib, an

a's hand, and she nodded and smiled without taking her eyes from the organ. Then the dash of cymbals and the blare of trumpets and the martial tread of the warriors shook the green field-thousands of armed men-and all the while, faint but insistent, the piping of the shepherd and the laughter of the dancing nymphs. And then came priests bearing an altar, chanting. The cymbals and the flute and the trumpets ceased and the dancers were still. David could see the altar carried t

p garments was wiping her eyes with her handkerchief. Her hands trembled with emotion. Suddenly she dropped her

, half turning o

ll a complete composition, it may give you

ased playi

ue, but I think it shows fairly well

nd beauty of the great instrument, unguessed by those who had gathered to hear this first test, stood revealed. David Dean's heart was full. It seemed to him as if the organ, capable of

onor of the organ, sat in his greatcoat, his iron gray hair mussed as always. David could imagine the firm-set mouth, the he

y play something," said Lu

cowering into her corner. "No

le the organist matter when that grim old man chose to speak. David turned toward Miss Hurley, and she shook her head. He did his best to smother her refusal by advancing to t

leaving the church Lucille, jingling

she called. "Just o

stopped

east once to-morrow morning! To christen your organ with you taking no part would be quite too shameful. So"-she hesitated and her smile w

ion would leave if Miss Jane played-and Miss Jane redde

he said through his beard,

" stammere

ucille. "It's all arranged, Miss Hurl

vid. "After such music as the professor

the biggest thing y

r Hedden. When David came to take his seat behind his pulpit the church was filled as it had never been filled before, and many were standing. The two ladies of the choir had new hats. Professor Hedden took his place on the

d our breath lest we fail to hear the delicate whispering of the organ. From my seat in the diagonal pews at the side of the church I could see old Sam Wiggett's face, grim and set, and Lucille Hard

gnificent music rolled through the church, poor little Miss Jane's rooster wing disappeared entirely behind the curtain. The music ended in a migh

nnounced, "our organist, Miss Hurley, will pl

ngregation, and behind him and the terra-cotta curtain two hats turned toward the place where we had seen Miss Jane's rooster wing sink out of sight. Profe

gett frowned. David continued, saying the organ would always be a memorial of that man's generosity and more than that. As David raised

ages, cle

de myself

d regret, since she, too, would have been eager to join in the music of praise, but he believed, he knew, that she was joining in the voice of

mn until every voice joined in singing old Sam Wiggett's fav

ages, cle

de myself

suddenly realized that he was in God's house and felt the organ lifting his soul toward Heaven. He glanced to the left as if seeking the wife who had for so many years stood at his side to sing that sam

ages, cle

de myself

t old Sam Wiggett stood, gruffly slighting the words of thanks that were proffere

aid. "That's what we wa

s Jane to the church door. Mademoiselle

to hear your grand organ. He was magnificent, your professor! But you, Meester Wiggett," she as

blushed wi

as he lived no one but Miss Jane should play the Wiggett pipe organ