Sturgis advertiser. (Sturgis, Dakota [S.D.]) 1887-1???, 1891-08-06
DID BOTH 0VERHEAR?

twas nearly service time on Sunday
morning, and the church bells were
tolling their CHEEKY welcome on the
frosty air. Pious souls, clad In furs
and velvets and other forms Of modern
purple and fine linen, were hurrying to
reach the scenes of their devotions.
Foster Willard was not pious soul,
and he did not hurry. He was not sure
that he was going to church at all, and
he sauntered leisurely 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, pshaw !-that was all
over now, and he was glad oft.
At this moment he became aware OF
slight figure enveloped in furs coming
down the cross street, and they met at
the corner. She held out her hand
with q gesture that bespoke embar-
rassment and uncertainty, and he took
ii grayely.
year since saw you last, Edith"
@Yes," she said.
Willard turned and joined her in her
walk.
@And believe" he continued, shat
/ am very glad to see you"
Miss Arnold was silent Il this point.
@You might, perhaps, say as much,
suggested Mills I'd.
Are you going to church," asked
Miss Arnold.
SWELL, don't know, that is, will go
If you will take me with you.
Miss Arnold hesitated q moment.
"Why, OF course, if you like" she
said.
Why shouldn't he like, wondered
Willard, a pretty girl. good music and
lots of people. What difference did it
make that once-stuffl He had for
gotten all that, and of course she had.
slave you heard the new rector ?"
inquired Miss Arnold, evidently with
an attempt at conversation.
"No," said Willard. II have not been
there. am heather. You are q mis-.
sionary. Perhaps I am an angel una
wares, thought"
Miss Arnold laughed.
"That is a tride mixed, isn't it?" she
said.
~Well, perhaps" admitted Willard
I'm not up in that sort of thing"
@But you used to go to church,"
"Yes, I did-when you took me
have degenerated. If your theology
admits of backsliding, / have back
sided. am now distinctly heather.
Miss Arnold laughed again.
@On the contrary, / think you have
improved" she said.
SAh!" said Willard, with faint sar
casm, II really was not looking for I
compliment"
They reached the church and tn,
usher showed them to seat. Mis-
Arnold kneeled on the cushion ant
leaned her head on her little prayer
book against the pew in front. Millar.
watched her silently, as he had done 81
many times before. She made prett,
picture, dainty, fur-wrapped and de
vout, and the hand that held the prayer
book was very small indeed. One littl
lock OF hair had squirmed away from re
straining hairpins and was curling pref
tily near her pink ear. He felt cnriou
desire to put it in place, and then b
became conscious of two voices speak
ing behind him in not inaudibl
whispers.
aIsn't that Foster Willard with Edit
Arnold in front of ns?" asked some
body.
Why, sure enough it isp said some
body else. Il thought she Tilted him
year ago. /"
Hush. he will hear you'll"
aThey must have made it up. Quee1
The choir began to sing again, an
the people all rose. Willard heard \
more. Edith held her prayer book u
to him, and they read the responses OF
OF il. Like those flashes of preyior
existence that the philosophers tai
about, il all came back to him-il
tangible, indefinite aud yet familia
how often he hal heard that smoot
full voice, reading the same old swe,
words of the Episcopal service. E
seemed to take mp the thread of life
year back, as if the year just passed ha
been dream from which he was no
awakening.
The TIE Deum was over and they $
down again. Presently the two wome
behind began to whisper again. Edi
was intent upon the service.
Pretty bonnet she has, said one.
Al trife too high. i think. They s.
she threw Howard Gale over, too.
don't see what these men find In he
She is perfect dirt.
For that reason. probably, they Ii
her.
II suppose Mr.. Willard took it !
easily, and she wants TO dangie b
again.
bangle him :"
Yes. You know what j mean lie
him around and abuse him" !.
Hushf I'm afraid he heard you.
No, he didn't. 1T would be q go
warning to him, anyway.
Willard moved nneasily, and
whispers broke OF suddenly. He WI
dered il Edith had heard them.
glanced vt her, and she SO unconscis
that he concluded she had not
The rector had commenced his 9
mon and she was giving close attenti
Willard listened awhile, but il did