New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-18

decoratn an gimcrackery sees to that, raos
on Howsumdever. the Lord baint atakin' nm,
stock o. their wnderpane pneapples an the,
| drotted gardeners toomytoes"
why, what is the meaning Of this?" er
| claimed the lady visitor in surprise
| Frank Hilton dill not offer to explain And
| Gran showed tendency to sulenness.
Meaning enow,' she remarked reluctantly
| 1.-THE Lord 'odn't accept o my marrer."
| The curate's eyes sought those Of Doreen n.
| hoped vaguely that she would not laugh he
| felt that had she done SO he could have hated
her then, and forever.
The pretty face sottened with ready sym.
pathy.
"Oh. no Gran" she cried Surely you ar.
| mistaken.
II baint"' returned that individual with tho
! logged determination Of second childhood
But supposing,' suggested DOreen after 4
pause that you did not offer your gift In thu
right way?" The old woman looked up in sur
prise.
| II think" pursued Miss Rivers, thoughtfully
! that you should have sold your marrow and
given the money as a thank offering. And thev
Is still time you may even do so now"
| Gran heard her with suppressed excitement
| Sell 'un, she exclaimed with animation
"Drot it, thic there parson took he
But there a lady" began Doreen. with
a shy glance at the old dame, upon whom ha
impressive manner was beginning to tell. "whs
thought she had never seen fine marrow
yours"
! Here Gran frightened visiby
"She bought it," continued her visitor cheer.
fully "and sends you this fOurpence in payment
OF course il is the money, Gran, and not The
marrow that will be most useful to the Lord
Gran stretched forth a withered claw to re.
ceive the profered pence.
when be | 10 81 un?" she inquired with In
tercst.
"On Sunday morning" was the glib response.
: II be comm returned Gran with childish
eagerness. her past grievances all forgotten
this new interest
And yet she wondered why DOtn Vlslt0n
smiled.
Dorcen and the curate left the cottage 10
gether. Here. then. the opportunity f0
her enlightenment on his view OF clerical mar.
rages
Gran has you to thank for her happiness
he said with some feeling, and !, too. am great
ly indebted To you FOR your help. Ills COM
panion murmured blushing protest, but he
continued:
you have taught me the value Of your work
among these poor people You have shown ne
/ that a true and sympathetic woman can, 10y
some strange. subtle instinct reach the hearo
: OF these poor ignorant souls in way that We
men can never hop = do. thank you Do.
, rcen," he continued earnestly. Tor TINS lesson
! did ne know that H. had called her Doreen1
! land also for your unfang assistance at times
when | have been downcast by repeated failure
/ for" he added in respondent apology, even
the sowcr loses heart when continually raverS
! ing barren ground
But Doreen, too, had something upon ne
mind.
NO ono walked with the sower 70 tread in The
seed" she ventured half-whIspering, perhaps
If the. had
! "Dorcen," he exclaimed with suppressed feel-
ing Il too. have many weary mile OF sowing
| to accomplish through thorns and tangles, nl
and dale and by the wdyside-and- Do
reen. | love YOU Have you the coGrage!-Ioo
/ willing. will YOU walk with the sowerT
And she answered softly God willing all IN
| way"
The service on Sunday morning was weary
when 'ull they come 10 bag 'un?" she in
CURED audibly, referring to the future desuna'
ton OF her gift.
And Mrs. Jordan, who had been regular 10 ner
church attendance before falling in with nd
unworthy spouse. successfully hushed her wlta
a series of shocked frowns and aWestrucS
whispers. The pence chinked running accom-.
paniment In the palm OF Grans rusty gioVs
as the vicar prayed on that COO VINO o' s,Uu
worketh great marvels," should bless the ciergJ
Then followed the sermon, and at length uns
long looked for moment arrived when the sHn
bag should be handed 10 Gran. .
q With due solemnity the old woman dropped ~
her fourpence slowly one by one following wio
her eyes the progress OF the salesman to WHOM
she had intrusted her precious treasure unlu
he returned from his duty empty handed ..,.
Still Grams gaze was bent eastward h'u'
wistfully. IL.
He be right enow." whispered her companSas
touching her arm imperatively. He be us% ,
enow Gran kneel. can't 'ee?" And Win n'o'
half sigh OF satisfaction Gran knelt. at.
Through the solemn words Of the beneoieus.-
and the impressive silence that follower "
through the slight rustic OF the stlrrlhg e.uS -
CATION. and the first soft. half -sobnIng nV ..h -
the organ-Grap knelt her face buried III ne
shabby gloves. the sable plumes noddlns 'nou, na.
| fully in her sombre satin bonnet Inc 49,
streamed forth from the pews. and MIS-. 'oIS s;.
conscious OF a vague sense OF uneasihess' ""D
pered impatently, Gran" .n,,
But in vain may call the voices OF hcI C. 80
neighbors for Grams soul, filled win ~ -
sense OF gratitude and hope had loio~.u p n
first thank offering to her Maker -CieiApe '''