The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-11-27

service vibrated clear notes through the
frosty air 1t was the same old bell Her
bert could never forget its tone. The call
was irresistible. Leaving the grave yard
he retraced his steps to the church.
As an usher gave him seat he noticed
that the high, old fashioned pulpit bad
been replaced by a broad, open platform
with a small reading desk, and although
the pews appeared the same their doors had
vanished. He remembered the click of the
button and the feeling of Imprisonment
it gave him a. his uncle closed the pew
door and fastened it before service.
The congregation was gathering. There
were many faces, those of new Corners
brought to the town by the mills, which re-
vived no memories; but there were others,
the sight of which made Herbert feel that
he was living in a dream. One couple
whom he remembered az lovers came up
the aisle followed by group of young
people He recognized the faces of father
and mother at once, although twenty years
had changed the slender youth to "A portly
family man and the bashful girl into a Sc
rene matrOn. Then came three sisters,
stout and silvery haired, evidently old
maids, all Of them, although Herbert re-
membered them as bellies of the village
He thought with little thrill of triumph
of the time whan one OF them had wounded
his youthful prlde by refusing to dance
with him at a rustic merry-making long
ago because he was only a boy.
There were other faces which recalled
many forgotten events of his bOyhOOd-
some of people he remembered in middle
life, now grown aged, others of old school
mates, serious now with the dignity Of
years. Ii was strange to think of them
trcading TIE quiet old paths all the long
time which ne had spent in the noise and
hustle of the world He wondered if be
had grown as Cd As they. He could not
realize it, and yet some Of them looked at
him as they passel up the aisle with the
mild curiosity avail ened by the sight of q
stranger. lie saw that no one recognized
him, and he telt more lonely than before.
The pew in 'front.' OF where he was sitting
remained empty almos, TO the last. Then
two ladies entered, followed by stout,
middle aged man and some young people,
one of whom Herbert recognized as the lad
who had directed him 10 the grave yard.
He knew now why he had almost said,
Hello, Joe, for the stout man at the head
of the pew, evidently the laos father, was
Joe Phillips, his old comraCe And, yes,
one of the ladies was Margaret Herbert
could see only her side face, .ut that was
enough. That clear cut profile was craven
upon his memory like the profile Of a Roman
emp ess upon an antique gem. lasting for
all time she had grown older, but she
did not looA like an oil maid: her girlish
beauty had changed - that of a sweet ma
tVri5-. there was not fretful line on me-
plarld face The old lady WAS probably
Joe wife. b-t her face was not familiar.
Joe had not married one Of tire village
girls. Herbert wondered If Margaret was
married. too The fact that she was with
her brother on Thanksgiving day meant
nothing for New England women always
flock home for the family festival
nerbert's first Impulse was 20 lean FOR
ward AMI speak 10 joe. but he did not DO
il. There was n fascination In sitting
there unknown and watching the familiar
faces. Then the lad glanced around and
noticed the stranger Of the morning. Her
bert saw him whisper 10 his father, who
looked carelessly over his shoulder. A
sudden art, the light of recognition on
the mans homes; face, then al arm came
over the back OF the pew and Herbert's
hand was seized with "A hearty grasp. Ii
was the first friendly greeting. Il warmed
his heart. and he felt like a boy home from
school as he joined in singing the familiar
Thanksgiving hymns.
After service there were hearty greet
ings characteristic Of Thanksgiving morn
ing in New England country church
No one was absent, and every body that
had been away had come home-the son
from the city, the young girl from board
ing school, all gathering under the family
roof tree on the day OF festive reunion
Herbert was the center OF a welcoming
group of old friends, each Of whom insist
ed upon bearing MIN of 20 share the fam
lily turkey. As greetings and invitations
poured IN upon him he could scarcely
realize his desolaiion ana loneliness only
few hours before.
Joe Phillips, however. insisted upon
claiming him He had been the first 70
recognize hirn. be said. and mad the best
right. With many promises TO look in
before he left town Herbert entered the
family carriage with Joe, Joe's wife and
Margaret, the young folks following on
foot
The town had grown out around the Old
Phillips mansion, but IL was still g stately
residence, standing in the midst Of GeEer-
ous grounds. with the sane majestic elms
sweeping its root A. Herbert walked up
the psyh 70 the front door between TIKI
rows OF old fr trees TIE years since Ee
stood there saying trembling farewell
words TO Nsrgsret were c.umpled Up %
nothing. lie had { ss'orers6 thzt she was
Margaret PhL.ius - aus &c wondered