The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1899-08-25

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IN every way.
But the Jordans." she ventured pres
emily, as though reading his thoughts.
at least We have conquered them after
a struggle"
Yes, but by what means?"
1t was the only way" There was a
strange pathetic note in her voice that
caused him to peer into her blue ewes
iittle anXlously. They were curiously
misty ne fancied. 1t was to be huDed
she did not intend to cry. Oh. these
women helpers, they were more difficult
10 manage than d whole parish full of
poor folk! Then it flashed. across him
that she, at least, had succeeded where
ne mad failed, and that he could not
DO otherwise tLan confess it like a
man. At once Doreen grew radiant
Ihere was no question of tears now. He
looked again into her eyes to see if thew
were still misty III appearance. 1t would
be as well to know, for future refer
ence should the occasion arise.
Doreen, not understanding his mo-
tive. blushed undeniably.
Even now he found himself unable
10 decide this important question. and
forthwith fell to wondering whether
she was aware OF his views respecting
the marriage of clergy? PERHAPS il
would be only fair to let her know that
ne Tor one, had devoted his whole
heart to his work. and that the accom-
pllshment of his duty was. and always
would be, his first ambition and object
IN life. After ali, there was plentv NJ
time yet TO tell her this She wonld
nor take intopact 10, l.;
as he 'N'''
one tnlng was certain, he must break
nlmseH OF that absurd curiosity respect.
ing her eyes. Meanwhile what was if
he had wished to say to her? But there
was no mention of her harsh treatment
| OF her parishioners that day!
On the afternoon before the eyentfuI
Sunday Gran, leaning upon the arm of
her kindly neighbOr, Mrs. Jordan. took
trial trip to the church. The quaint
OLD figure, in her funeral bonnet and
gala shawl, having passed through the
porch. surveyed the interior of the
building with GREATNESS interest not
unmlXed with awe. Out from the i'm
presslve gloom masses of fragrant bios
SONS frightened the quaint oak cary
ing, lille autumn fruits, in every shade
of gold and russell, peeped saucily from
their skiifuily fashioned nests of moss
and leaves. Flowers If the field gath
cred by the Eumhc fingers OF the moor.
dec{ed the Old gray Stonework, while
fragrant petals from The crystal houses
OF their weather ncighbOrs touched
the table OF the Lord with glory.
81 be lcolSin' for the marrers." whis-
pered Gran eXcitedly.
But these vegetables had not as vet
been assigned to their place OF honor.
They lay together with Grams. which
had been carefully initiated, in con-
fused heap in the porch. where the
CHEEKY voice of the vicar was plainly
audible holding cuIiously one-sided
conversation with some person unseen.
To what glorious distinction might not
this wonderful marrow attain? With
OBTAINING hand on her companions
arm, Gran drew back into the shadow
to listen. Perhaps she might even hear
it said that the Lord had degned to
accept her Offering! Who could tell?
IT'S not the least use, Miss Rivers"
the vicar was saying. 81 really cannot
have the church turned into a green
grocer's shop and an Indifferent green
grocer's at that"
Here a woman's voice made itself
heard protesting family, but the manly
tones continued; Didn't you know
what was overheard in the church last
year? Some woman. a dissenter, too,
Of all people, likened the place to a big
advertisement for seeds. Scandalous,
wasn't it? And it really won't do, you
know. 1t really won't do at all.
But the vegetables are sent by the
poor" pleaded his listeners voice soft
ly.
We'll, it can't be helped" was the de-
cided answer. THE church cannot be
made into a market garden to please
any amount OF poor people John. in
well-known accents of command-"put
all the absurd vegetables into wheel
barrow and cart them down to the hos
pital with my compliments | do de-
clare" he added in confidential tones,
that they would like to fill the whole
place with green stuff if didn't draw
the line somewhere. rs it is, the effect
Of our fine brasswork is entirely lost
among the flowers"
"And on Sunday" ventured the soft
voice gently, I'VE are going to thank
God for His flowers as we'll as our
selves for our brasswork"
The vicar glanced sharply at the
speaker, but the eyes that met his gaze
were purely, trustfully blue, and the
face upturned to his innocent as a fiow-
er. No sarcasm could have been in
tended-Doreen Rivers was but a child,
The marrows had disappeared in the
direction Of the hospital, when Gran
crept silently from the porch leaning
heavily on the arm Of her friend.
"Thalt do it fine, tomorrow, Gran"
quoth Mrs. Jordan, abiding to the
walk.
81 baint agoin' to ry," observed Gran
oracularly. "He've ,yca and ears, Ear
ah, zane as | have. pant 'ee?"
Mrs. Jordan signifed that this was
the case.
"'yhen zee see VIII come O. my mar
rer." There WAS Something so bitterly
resigned abOYt Gr8H's tones that her
companion grew nhr' Gus.
"Do zee cuss a BIT now, Gran," she
suggested tenderly; may be TODD ease
ZEE like!"
"Cuss!" exclaimed Gran in accents
CT tragic scorn; "cuss, Zarah! where
cod Wind the blessed language for it,?
And Mrs. Jordan could make no sug'
Gastlon,
Il CHANGED that Miss Rivers and the
curate met again at the cottage of their
protege some few days later. Frank
Hilton, his brow clouded by the knowl-
edge of failure and disappointment,
was listening with almost superhuman
patience to Grams shrill TRADE.
AYE, there be places enough for the
gentle-folk in thic there church., she
was exclaiming in her high-pitched