Page:"A modern Hercules", the tale of a sculptress (IA amodernherculest00wins).pdf/13

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A MODERN HERCULES.
7

age to follow the bent of her intense longing, for fear of what her small world would say. In all of this artificial brilliance, there are masks and faces as false as many of the hearts which rich attire conceals.

Notwithstanding all this, there was every inducement for real inspiration. The architectural beauty of the interior of the church was artistic to the nature, and soft and alluring to the eye. The place was decorated with beautiful pots, plants and flowers. Through the stained windows a mellow light gilded rich carpets and soft cushions. The trained choir sang divinely while the organist thundered forth not only the wrath of the Deity, but promised mercy, like the whisper of an angel, through the organ's pipes. As the notes of the grand instrument died away in the distance, softly, like a summer sigh, a man of noble face and figure stood in the pulpit.

It was the preacher!

He was young. His eyes were boldly black and brilliant. They sparkled like pure diamonds with feeling, comprehension and intelligence. His head had the shape of a Roman God. His shoulders were square. He looked the very physical and intellectual giant that he was. His voice was flavored with magnetism that always distinguishes the eloquent orator from the mere word absorber. He ran his long, shapely figers through his dark hair, shook his head like a lion, and plunged like a blooded courser into the very meat and marrow of his subject.

"Christ was insulted on Sunday last. This church was empty at service time, and all had forsaken Him to pay tribute to a woman's vindictively immoral work. You who have built this religious palace to the glory of a mighty and eternal God, betrayed Him for the devil.