The free press., 1893-08-10

what marvel Of richness and
freshness and beauty it was.
Tibbie could not help feeling pleas
antly conscious of it as she passed up
the church aisle that morning, won
dering if it became her-secretly glad
to think that Harold Vannekcr would
be there to see her wear it.
But as she settled herself into her
own cosy little corner of the church
pew she Glanced to glance up, and to
her surprise there was q painted ma
jolica pot, and the rich, arrow-shaped
leaves seeming to overflow its brim
with greenery OH either side; but not
solitary lily was to be seen. Was
she dreamingp
Out of all the lilies that Tibbie had
watched grow and expand to their
pearly perfection not one remained.
She thought the time never would
come when she could see her uncle
come down the steps, with his sermon
case under his arm, and his old
fashioned soft hat pulled over his
brow.
In the breezy churchyard the willow
boughs swayed to and fro, the short
grass was starred with dandelions and
the bland spring sunshine folded every
thing in veil of gold; but cloud
seemed to descend over all these things
when Tibbie caught the grave, re-
proachful look on her uncle's face.
Harold Vanneker stood beside Mr..
Kress; he lifted his hat to Tibbie; but
the girl scarcely noticed his presence.
"Uncle, you are vexed with mel"
she cried. "What is it? Is 1t the
bonnet? DID you think it was to gay?
And oh, Uncle, what became of the
lilies?"
Uncle Kress looked gravely at her.
81 scarcely expected such tricky
thing Of you Elizabeth" said he. "If
you had wanted the $40 so badly why
didn't you tell me and l would have
given it to you out and out. But
deceitAeven practical joking-God's
altar is not the place for thatl"
"Uncle," she gasped, 81 do not
understand youp
eve will not discuss it further"
said Mr.. Kress, waving his hand. "You
will find your lilies lying out there
under the southern caves. Take them
and gol"
Tibbie was turning vaguely in the
direction to which her uncle pointed,
but Mr.. Vanneker was before her.
STOPPING down he gathered up
handful Of coarse paper scrolls with
gaudily painted yellow pistils in their
centres.
"These are the lilies that l found
fastened rudely in among your green
leaves this morning." said Mr.. Kress,
coldly.
Tlbbie looked from her uncle to Mr..
Vanneker without word. For the
moment it seemed as if speech were
frozen upon her lips, but all at once
she broke into piteous cry.
"Who has been tampering with my
!iles?" she walled, ''my white, beauli-
full lilies?"
al think have clue to this puz-
zle," said Mr.. Vanneker, calmly. 81
was in the back part of Durivage's store
yesterday, looking at an old black
letter edition of Chauccr, that he had
laid aside for me, when lady came
into the front department and asked
the price of some paper lilies that
lay Oh the counter. To my astonish-
ment the lady was Miss Isabel kress,
and she bought the lilies and went
out. We came down from new Aork
in the same train, but l was prevented
from going and speaking to her by a
man who button holed me on business
matters, and | do not think she knew
of my being near. When strolled
past the church last night saw lsaoel
Kress herself going in. stopped ana
asked the old sexton if the church
was open.
".Noa, not reg'lar Open ne
answered, 'but there's young lady
putin flowers in
NATURALLY | thought or liooie
here and went in. But it was not
Tibbie whom l saw in the far eno OF
the church, stealthily breaking OH the