The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-02-27
A CONFLICT ENDED.
Two Women Regain Their Lovers
by Giving In"

In Acton there were two churches, an Or
aGho9ox and a Baptist They stood ON op-
,posi5e sides of the road, and the Baptist
edtfice was little farther down than she
other. On Sunday morning both bells
were ringing. The Baptist bell was
znnch larger and followed quickly on the
soft peal of the Orthodox with a heavy,
braEen clang which vibrated good VIII lie
The people went focking through the
street to the irregular jangle OF the bells
1t was very hot day, and the sun beat
down heavily; parasols were bobbing over
all the ladies' heads.
More people went into the Baptist church.
whose society was much the larger of the
two. 1t had been for the last ten years
ever since the Orthodox had settled a new
minister. His advent had divided the
church and good third of the congrega-
6ion had gone over to the Baptist brethren
b! fwith'whom they still remained.
1t is probable that many of them passed
Sheir old sanctuary to-day with the original
stubborn animosity as active as ever in
their hearts, and led their families up the
Baptist steps with the same strong spiritual
pull of indignation.
One old lady, who had made herself
prominent on the opposition, trotted by
this morning with the identical wiry vehe-
mence which she had manifested ten years
ago She wore a full black silk skirt
allowed to trail in the dust in the rear.
Some of the staunch Orthodox people
glanced at her amusedly. One fleshy, fair
faced girl in blue muslin said to her COM
panion, with a laugh: See that old lady
trailing her best black silk to the Baptist
Amt it ridiculous how she holds on showing
outs heard some one talking about it
yesterday"
<'Yesn'
The girl colored up confusedly. 90,
dear!n she thought to herself The lady
with her had an unpleasant history CON
nected with this old church quarrel. She
was a small, bony woman in a shining
purple silk, which was strained very tightly
across her sharp shoulder-blades. Her
bonnet was quite elaborate with flowers
and plumes, as was also her companions.
In fact, she was the village millmer, and
the girl was her apprentice.
When the two went up the church steps,
they passed man of about fifty, who was
sitting thereon we'll to one side. He had a
singular face.-a mild forehead gently
curving mouth, and a terrible chin, with q
look of strength in it that might have
abashed mountains. He held his straw hat
in his hand, and the sun was shining full on
his bald head.
The milliner half stopped, and gave an
anxious glance at him; then passed on. In
the vestibule she stopped again.
S'You go right in, Marcy" she said to the
girl. "nll be along in a minute"
"Where be you going, Miss Barney"
''You go right in. I'll be there in {
minute
Marcy entered the audience room then
as if fairly brushed in by the imperiou
wave of a little knotty hand and Esthe
Barney stood waiting until the rush of Ell
1ering people was over Then she stepped
swiftly back to the side of the man seate,,
nm the steps. She spread her large blacl
parasol deliberately, and extended tn
handle toward him.
mo, no, Esther; don't want i'll don
want it."
''If you're determined on setting out il
this hroiling sun, Marcus Woodman, yo
Jest take this parasol of mine an use it''
81 don't want your parasol, Esther
L"
''Don't you say it over again. Take it.
II won't-not if don't want to-"
"Sou'll get q sun-stroke."
s"That'S my own lookout"
Marcus Woodman, YOU take it."
She threw all the force there was in he
Intense, nervous nature in her tone an
look; but she failed in her attempt, becaus
of the utter difference in quality betwee
her own will and that with which she ha
TO deal. They were on so different plane
that hers slid by his with its own momen
um; there could be no contact even of al
fagonism between them. He sat theI
rigid, every line of his face stiffened int
an lev obstinacy. She held out the pari
Finally she let it drop at her side, ht
whole expression changed.
Marcus" said she, "how's yol
mothcr9"
He started. ''Pretty WELL thank yo
Esther.n
"She's out to meeting, them"
''Yes.n
Owe been a-thinlSing-I amt drove je
,now-that may be I'D come over an see h
some day this week.
He rose politely then. "Wish you woul
Esther. Motherd be real pleased | know
''Well, I'll ee-Wednesday, p'rhaps if
amt too busy. ] must go in now; they
imost through singing"
''Esther--7
81 don't believe can stop any longC
Marcus"
About the parasol-thank you jest {
same if don't take il. OF course you l<nt
I can't set out here holding aparasol; fol