The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1891-08-08
DID BOTH OVERHEAR IT?

ing their CHEEKY welcome on the frosty
sir. Pious souls, clad in furs and vel-
xeta and other forms of modern purple
and fine linen, were hurryhg to reach
the scenes of their devot1ons
Foster Willard was not pious soul,
and be did not hurry. He was not sure
Stat he was going to church at all, and
he Ezuntered leisurefy along, with his
hands IN his overcoat pockets and his
big collar turned high around his
throat
What world It was, to be sure, and
what fool-but, pshaw3that WAS all
over now. and he was glad of it.
All this moment he became aware Of a
blight figure enveloped in fur coming
down the Cross street, and they met at
the corner. She held out her hand with
Q gesture that bespoke embarrassment
and uncertainty, and he took it gravely.
II believe" be said, ut is quite a year
since saw You last, Edith"
Yea" she said.
willard turned and Joined her in her
,waIk.
~And believe, he continued, chat I
an vury glad to see you"
Mw Arnold was silent on this point.
@You might, perhaps say as much"
msxested Willard.
Am you going to church," asked Miss
Arnold
well, don't know, that Is, will go
If yua take me with you"
Mis- Arnold hesitated moment
why, Of course, if you like, p" she said.
Why shouldn't he like, wondered Mil
lard. A pretty girl, good music and lots
of peoples What difference did 1t make
that mce-stufl He had forgotten all
that, and Of course she had.
Have you heard the new rector" in
CURED Miss Arnold, evidently with an
sttemp& at conversation.
NO" said Willard. II have not been
there. lam heathen. You are mis-
ionary. Perhaps l am an angel I'M
swares though"
Miss Arnold laughed.
That's a trihe mixed, isn't it," she
said
We'll, perhaps" admitted Willard.
I'm not up in that sort of thing"
But you used to go to church,"
Yes, l did-when you took me- l
have degenerated If your theology i'd
mIts Of bsckshding. have backslided.
] am now distinctly heathen."
Miss Arnold laughed again.
~ ~ I
improved" she said.
Abr said Willard, with faint sar-
essm, 81 really was not looking for a
compliment
They reached the church and the usher
showed them to seat Miss Arnold
kReeaed on the cushion and leaned her
he2d ON her little prayer book against
the pew in front. Willard watched her
silently. as he had done 30 many times
beforA She made pretty picture
da,n4y. fur wrapped and devout, and
tie hAnd that held the prayer book was
very small indeed. One little lock OF
hair had squir1ned away from restrain.
ing hairpns and was curling prettily
near her pink ear. He felt a curious de-
Ure 10 put it in place. and then he be
came conscious of two voices speaking
behind him in not inaudible whispers.
Knit that Foster Willard with Edit
Arnold In front of u.s. asked somebody
Why. sure enough it isl" said some
oody else II thought she jilted him ;
year ago"
'Hush, he will bear you'll"
They must have made it up. Queer
isutit"
The choir began to sing again. and tn
people all rose Willard heard no more
Filth held her prayer book up to him
and they read the responses out Of it
Like those flashes Of previous existenc
that the philosophers talk about, it al
e;tne back to interchangeable, indefinite
and yet familiar. How often he hat
heard that smooth. full voice, readin,
the same old. sweet words Of tie Episco
gal service. He seemed to take up tn
thread of life year back, as if the yea
inst passed had been a dream from
which he was now awakening.
The Te Deum was over and they ga
down again Presently the two wome1
G&AkxBo Oo86u W WuA6pc1 again. CU1Ll
WAS intent upon the service.
Pretty bonnet she has," said one.
"A fxi6e too high, think. They sa,
ahe threw Howard Gale over too. I don'
eee what those men find In her She
apx1ect Hirt."
For that reason probably they lik
her."
4 suppose Mr.. Millard took it to
selly, and she wants to dangle hir
again"
'Dengle himT
Yes You know what mean-kee
him suund and abuse him"
"Hushi I'm afraid he heard you"
no, he didn't It would be q goo
warning to him, anyway"
MWArd moved uneasily. and the whis
pan broke OH suddenly. he wondere
n Faith had heard than. He glanced q
her. And shs looked % unconscious thu
- eancludsd she had not
zhessctoe had commenced his sermon
I'D - was giving close attention
A3AaBd Hs3sned awhile, but Il aid nc