Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1896-05-29
APPLES OF SODOM.
BY EMILY ID. NI'BRIDE.

BY EMILY ID. NI'BRIDE.
She stood at the end of short maple
shaded avenue, this little Shaker
maiden, her 1.-THE form silhouetted
against the glowing western sky.
On the steps of the office building
Sister Hannah, the eldress, sat with
her knitting. Her white hair, combed
straight and smooth back from the
part, showed in a beautiful silver line III
front of the close-ftting cap, lighting
her face like the dainty frame to some
quaint medallion. Her thoughts were
more busy with the little maid than
with her work. The mellow, vibrant
notes of Elizabeth's fresh young voice,
as she had heard it in the meeting
house only an hour before, still lin
gered in her mind.
The stocking grew, row after row
gliding from under the swift fingers.
When the heel, with it's neat gore, was
finished, Hannah let her work fall to
her lap and sat for a moment looking
anxiously at the young girl. Elizabeth
NAV have felt the look. for she turned
toward the house, and the eldress, tuck.
ing her ball Of yarn under her arm,
went slowly down to meet her, knitting
as she went. = f..'
cart thou still unhappy, child?" she
asked, as they walked up and down the
lane.
~ more than can tell thee" Eliza
beth answered. passionately.
''Now listen to me, sweet one,' called
the Shaker maiden as the clear, rich
notes died away, and placing her hands
on her hips, with chest expanded and
head thrown back, she 1nimicked Sir
Bobolink's rollicking glee. Never be-
fore, in the sedately methodical village
of Shakertown, had such sounds beer,
flung on the decorous breezes. Now,
as her song ended she drew a long sob
hing breath of ecstacy. 49,
When in the religious meetings the
spirit moved Elizabeth to sing, none
took up the strain, but listened breath
simple, familiar chant.
'Oh, Sister Hannah" she cried, 81
must go; 1 cannot stay here. Dost
thou not see that? Think of the great
beautiful world. Think of the music
and song. Oh, think of all the beautiful,
wonderful things l am missing. That
soulless bird is more to he envied than
/, for he has freedom. Oh, what am 1
saying? I will never learn thy self
command. Do not reprove me-" she
moaned, RS she threw one arm around
Sister Hannah's neck and with her hand
caressed the white, troubled face of the
eldress.
: Forgive me, dear friend she plead
cd, "but let me go" @
J: Elizabeth and the sweetly modu-
lated voice helped to calm the impetu~
Gus girl, thou hast been my especial
care since thou vert brought to the
village, wee bairnie. In all things l
have chosen for thee what seemed for
thy best good.' She hesitated, then
saying: II will speak with Elder
Charles concerning thy wishes she
turned toward the house where he was
standing on the steps.
''Wilt thou leave us awhile?" Han
nah requested, land try TO remember
that in all things we seek thy truest
happiness?'
Elizabeth walked on dejectedly while
Elder Charles and Sister Hannah went
into the office. The elder took one of
the plain wooden chairs by the table,
but Hannah chose to sit by the open
curtainless window.
3 ''She must never leave u.s." he de-
clared, sternly. ''She was sent to us
that she might grow up into pure inno-
cent womanhood."
"F'or nearly 20 years" Hannah began
quietly, ''she has been with us. Through
precept and example her mind has be.
come imbued with the truest principles
She has grown up in the Household OF
Faith, and from her childhood has had
before her mind the divine example OF
Mother Ann. We have done what we
could. She is legally her own mistress
Unless she choose to stay with us we
cannot compel her.
Sister Hannah rarely spoke so long
or so earnestly, and Elder Charles lis.
tened in silence. He rested his elbows
on the table and his head in his hands.
Hannah, she is the sunshine of my
day, the perfume of spring in the au-
tulnn of my life" His voice was firm
and sweet, and Hannah noticed the alb
sence of it's usual ring of unyielding de-
cision.
Her mother'-Hannah started for
ward as if to interrupt him, then nerv-
ously settled again into her chair. What
right had she, who had long ago for
sworn all earthly loves, to be jealous
of the beautiful singer who had brought
Elizabeth to them, and who alone had
the right to give mothers love to the
turbulently demure young Shakeress
A faint conscious blush tinged her face
as she realized that the years of watch
care which she had given to the child
left in her charge had created in her
heart love which the Manifesto taught
to be earthly and unworthy a devout
Shaker. She tried to put away the
feeling and listen calmly to what the
elder might say.
Hast thou heard anything further
l. n ny,