The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-06-18
FRIDAYS CHURCH.

years since lem Michel had Deen seen at
Feldham; the place was too not 10 hoiu
him, and ne had found it hest TO take
himself off Not even his mother knew
whero be was; but .lem had ways ana
means of his own by which he could COM
municate with his friends at VIII, and
having once found that he could draw
upon them for supplies, he did not iaii 10
do so at regular intervals.
1t was Sally Tredcroft who managed
these negotiations; yellow-haired sally,
whom all the neighbors prophes,ed would
forget .Iem Mitchell as soon us his pack
was turned but ia spite OF all their yests
she had remained faithful through tho
two long years OF his absence. why she
should have clung TO him is hard To say
but wonan's love presents series OF
pnenomena which no scientist has ever
yet attempted TO explain, and In colu or
heat in hunger and privation. tho two
who loved Jem denied themselves for his
sake
It was strange bond between them
tho brutal headstrong man. who woulu
have knocked either OF them down WITH
out the slightest hesitation II they nap
poned To cross his will. and their affection
was strange enough 10 match itl NO
loving words, no tender caresses, were
ever lnterchangod; they reproached each
other and angered each other, were jealous
OF the greatness of each others efforts anu
yet scornful VI their smalness; they had
neither patience nor pity where the other
was concerned, and yet their unquencha-
bic love for .Jem held them together In
spite of all
Mother Michel had never received any
demonstration of affection from sally
before and she was a. awkward under IL
rs though she had been IA conscious
schoolgirl.
Let me be- she said roughly, shaking
herelf free from the epcircling arms; II III
get the money somehow If have to strip
the skin OF my bones To do 1t J!
NO 10, - said Sally, looking down at
the bent and withered figure before her,
''you ro not fit TO stint yourself; III see
what can do
Il reckon you think nobody cares for
Jem but yourself" said his mother
angrily. "You let me be, Sally can live
on turmlts as we'll as you. or on drink o.
cold water for that matter; you come
down To Ford Edge tomorrow night and
l'il hand you the eight shiilings II 80 be AS
I'm aliveW
Sally did not receive the promise with
any show OF gratitude; she could not
think that any sacrifice WAS too great for
.Iem, but yet she was angry with his
mother for making IL, and she stalked off
with indignant protest expressed In every
feature.
Mother Michel did not disturb herself
over Sally's "Jantrums, however; she
put the rag back into its hiding place, and
sitting down again upon her stool shr
began TO turn over her resources In her
mind. Something she must sell, that was
certain, but what she possessed that would
bs available for such purpose was an
other matter. Her eye wandered sadly
from her broken unuir to her ragged ear
pet not even the rag and bone man would
49,. 81. trla hoe
Even black Tom. the hungry eyed cat, was
absolutely useless from purchaser s
point of view, and the despair in her face
gathered and intensified as she looked
round her miserable hovel and realized
tho extent of its barrenness.
ALI of a sudden, however, CLEAN OF
hope dawned In her eyes. The sunbeams,
straying through the open door. lit up the
weduing ring upon her finger, and she
looked at it with trembling eagerness. 10
part with her wedding ring Is to a poor
woman the last dogrstion that poverty can
inflict upon her; nll other shifts ard de-
malls must Ire first resorted 20, and some
have even been known to die because they
could not endure the shame of losing IT,.
But pride and self respect and even the
clinging bonds of custom and tradition
which arc stronger still, can all be broken
by TIE might Of love, ana getting up from
her seat Mother Michel began To look out
her aged bonnet and shawl with the de-
termination of a great purpose In her face.
Her preparations were soon made, and
closing her cottage door and taxing ber
stick I'm hand, she set out on her oxpedi-
tion Tho town OF Wanworth lay somo
four mies on the other side OF Fedbnm,
and though her bent frame was capable
of more exertion than would have seemed
possible, she knew that tho task before
hor would tax her powers to tho utmost.
At first her walk was an easy one; the
village lay below Fridays Church, and
the narrow white path that led 10 it 10y
like ribbon over the sloping side of the
downs. Mother Michell's cottage was the
last remaining habitation OF what had
once been lepors settlement; placed
there not from any lingering belief in the
virtues of the goddess Friga, but because
it was the most isolated position obtaina-
bic Irere the leprrs had lived and died
IN miserable solitude, tfcir only glimpse
of their fellow mon bang allowed thom
on sunday mornings, when, travelling
in mourntul procession over the downs.
they came TO the window Of the village
church and received the sacred wafer laid
upon the sill by the priest
10 no other place wero they allowed to
20, and tho pnth, undertaking and se-
we're rs the restrictions that surrounded
them. went straight from their abode 70
the church window; but the present oc.
cupaut OF their settlement felt herself
hound Ivy no such laws. and being alb
solved from their decree of exile. she
considered that she was also absnlved
from thoir compulsory attendance -,
church. Mother Mcneil was "a beathen,
pure and simple, nud hur creed was far
more akin to that OF tho wOrshippcrs OF
l'riga than To tie faith OF the mass going
lei crs.
Frga and hrr worshippers were lost
sight OF now in the dimness of rho nges
lei ors ana priests had passed away In
their turn, and the vicar Of Fcluhaul
gathered his flock around him Sunday ny
sunday. instruotiug tho school children
and reading u his parishiouers from tEt
PAGES OF AN open Bible; bu5 Mother
Michel was not further removed from
ono form of worship than tic other. and
tho bells of her parish church fell unhoed
cd week 10y week upon her ears.
Slo Iassed through the churchyard now
and QUO by the lych gate, ana making
her way as quickly as possible through
the village, she set herself To climb tE,
ascending ro,d that led 10 Wanworth.
Her stops were lcgble for the sun was hot
and her heart was heavy within her a,
Shp won't hut fhouuh sha glr loVn IA