when he used them.

But pretty little Flossy had never argued with him, never been known to
argue with anybody. Why should he not occasionally awe her with his high
sounding words? It is a pity that Ruth or Marion had not been there to
take up the theme; and yet it is doubtful if arguments would have had
any weight with him. The truth was, he did not need to be convinced.
Probably Flossy's perfect gravity, and dignity, and silence, did more to
answer him than any keen words could have done.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

CHAPTER V.

NEW MUSIC.

CHARLIE arose suddenly and went toward the piano. Things were becoming
uncomfortably grave.

"Sis," he said, "can't you give us some new music? Try this new piece;
Baker hasn't heard you sing it. I don't think it is remarkable, but it
is better than none. We seem to have a very small list of music that
will pass the orthodox line for Sunday use."

Both he and Flossy had sighed over the dearth of pretty things that were
suited to Sunday. The one in question was one of the worst of its
kind--one of that class which Satan seems to have been at work getting
up, for the purpose of lulling to rest weak consciences. Sickly,
sentimental ideas, expressed in words that are on the very verge of
silly; and yet, with just enough solemn sounding phrases in them, thrown
in here and there, to allow them to be caught up by a certain class, and
pronounced "sacred song." Flossy had herself selected this one, and
before her departure for Chautauqua had pronounced it very good. She had
not looked at it since she came home. Charlie spread it open for her on
the piano, then returned to the sofa to enjoy the music. Flossy's voice
was sweet and tender; no power in it, and little change of feeling, but
pleasant to listen to, and capable of being tender and pathetic. She
looked over the sacred song with a feeling of aversion almost amounting
to disgust. The pitiful attempts at religion sounded to her recently
impressed heart almost like a caricature. On the piano beside her lay a
copy of "Gospel Songs;" open, so it happened (?), at the blessed and
solemn hymn, "How much owest thou?" Now a coincidence that seemed
remarkable, and at once startled and impressed Flossy, was that Dr.
Dennis' text for the evening had been the words, "How much owest thou
unto my Lord?" She hesitated just a moment, then she resolutely pushed
aside the sheet music, drew the book toward her, and without giving
h