The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1900-08-03
MALCOM KIRK.
CONTINUED
CHAPTER XVI.

Faith Kirk was having one of her
great battles as she worked over that
Sunday dinner. And she had not
fought it out when the family return
ed, bringing with them four friends of
Mr.. Fulton. business acquaintances
from other cities. whose good will it
was necessary to keep.
The dinner was served promptly. and
Faith had no reason to feel afraid Of
her success. Mrs. Fulton even came
out into the kitchen when it was over
and complimented her on the dinner.
The guests lighted cigars and retired
to the library with Mr.. Fulton. 1t was
now nearly o'clock. By the time ev-
erything was cleared away in the
kitchen it was half past and in the
short winter day dark already.
Faith went up to her room tired and
rebellious. She sat down and at first
said she would not go to church. Then
she thought of the dear home circle,
and for almost the first time since she
came away she grew dreadfully home
sick.
She threw herself down on her bed
in the dark and had a good. hard cry.
When it was over. she felt some
| what ashamed and lay still awhile,
thinking. Then she rose and suddenly
turned on her electric light.
"Faith Kirk, you are ashamed of
yourself Is this Malcom Kinks daugh-
ter?" She asked the question as she
put on her cloak and hat and resolutely
determined to go to church and be q
good Christian in spite of her troubles.
ITO him that overcometh," the verse
happened to be the subject Of the En-
deavor meeting that very night. and as
| she took up her Bible and went out Of
| the house she was feeling better as she
| started down the avenue and then turn.
| ed toward one of the churches of the
| same denomination as the one at home
For she was homesick enough to fee
that she would enjoy the worship bet
| ter In such a church.
Faiths Sundays in Chicago since
she had been there were not at all like
the Sundays at home. She had at f1rst
tried to attend church near her board
| ing place. But at the end of her studio
experience she had found some Sunday
work to do in connection with one oi
the social settlements. That work wa.
now too far away, and she was com
PEELED to give it up.
Tonight. she said. she would go t.
the Endeavor meeting in the larg'
church only few blocks from Mrs
Fulton's. She had seen the notice OF
the outside Of the building. giving
| O'Clock as the hour Of service.
The young people held their meeting
in the chapel or prayer meeting room
adjoining the main room. 1t was beau
tifully lighted and furnished, and Al
Faith went In she was greeted at thu
door by young woman, who gave he
q topic card and a hymnbook and thel
showed her to a seat.
The meeting began promptly, ant
Faith could not help wondering littl
as she looked around at the very wei
dressed young men and women hov
much any of them knew about tn
struggle of overcoming. The next mo
ment she rebuked herself for judgin,
others.
'They all have their trials no doubt,
she said. 1T won't do to judge fron
appearances. Rich folks are not tn
happiest ones"
She enjoyed the singing, and some o
the more familiar Endeavor song
brought tears to her eyes.
When the hour was about half gone
Faith had an impulse to give her tes
timony. She kept saying to herself tina
what she had been through that da
was something that might help tn
others. In her fathers church at hom
the young people had always been er
couraged to help one another by rela,
ing their experiences, and Faith had n
other thought in mind when she ros
during a pause and told very frankl
something of her struggle that YER
day.
| The young people all turned an
looked at her ia surprise. Faith kne,
how to express herself very we'll. He
father had helped her very much. Sh
did not mean to eXaggerate her diff1cu
ties. but she spoke more frankly tina
Ehe might if she had not been overflow
ing from the days experience. Beside!
her heart warmed to find herself in tn
society once more. and she longed fo
the Christian fellowship.
When she sat down, she had time
think If she had said anything sh
ought not She had simply confesse
her struggle as the Bible said Chrii
tians ought. and she had only incideI
tally mentioned the fact that she wa
working out. At home they had girl
In the society who worked out at ser,
ice. and they did not think much abou
it.
But before the meeting was over sh
grew hot and cold by tIrns as sh
thought of having told all those youn
people that she was "hired girl" Sh
was almost tempted to get up agai
and tell them that she was the daugl
ter of a minister and a high schO,
graduate and that her father had NOR
than one letter from the pastor OF tn
very church where she now was com
mending the work done in Conrad an
asking for counsel as to similar wOr
in the great city. Then she glove
with shame for her lack of courage. Il
. I did tell them what l am doing, 1t
no disgrace! 1t is an honest thing
do, | am not ashamed of 1t"