Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1900-04-13

tie? Forgive? Of course she would, that
| minute, with heart and soul; but-would he
Merciful Heaven! if she might but find him
| this blessed Eastertide, when "everybod,
forgives--"
She used to be Christian when-he-san,
at Joy Memorial!
She was not conscious that she was cry
| ing; she was living over again that day be
| fore Easter two years ago. He was running
over solo for the Easter service; she re
| membered stanza yet:
Christ is risen; Christ is risen;
We, His own. now glad. forgiven,
Shall rise because lie rose"
Then came the quarrel, and. Well, the
| fragrant lilies she had knotted together Will
white ribbon to carry to the service that
lovely Easter morning withered on the tor
| of the piano. She did not go; the solo wa.
never sung and Cyril-spent the day in hi
room; and at evebtide she and Bernice were
| alone!
But tonight an inspiration seized her. In
moment it flashed over her. The pretty
regular features lost their sorrow and the
light of blessed new hope flooded the tear.
wet face.
With quick, elastic step Joyce Carol ran
hither and thither, gathering up the neces.
sary articles to carry out her heart-restina
| purpose.
The inspiration, she knew, had come from
above.
Their custom-his and hers-had been to
carry an Offering of lilies to dear old JOY
memorial at Eastertime. She would begin
again. The loveliest sprays in the shop were
selected by the intensely in earnest woman,
and on bed of feathery ferns she placed
them. Now for the other
Why. mamma, has somebody ordered
more lilies?"
Yes, Bernice," answered the mother,
they are to 60 to Joy Memorial right away.
We are to take them down in few minutes.
dear"
A heavenly smile transformed her
features as she knelt and kissed the wonder.
ing child.
Joyce knew the church would be open,
for the choir practiced at this hour, and
doubtless. the decorating committee were
there yet.
What's that you put in among the bios
SONS, mamma; letter."
Yes, dear, little mite of letter"
What does it.say, mamma 2" persisted the
child, curiously.
1t says everybody forgives everybody at
Eastertime;' isn't that right, dearest?"
Yes, mamma and the child waltzed
about the room in an cestacy of expectation
of once more beholding the loved place of
worship. She remembered where they used
to sit when papa stood UP to sing. She was
taller some now, but she was sure that when
he came back he would still know her.
When will papa come, mammal" she
asked, crossing her white arms on the coun-
ter where her mother was writing some.
thing, and looking up with great longing in
her face.
What ails the child, tonight of all
nights" whispered the hungry hearted wife
with quivering lips. "She stabs me 10 the
hearts center; will she keep on until shall
not be able to work to my purpose?" No,
she would find the way, somehow Cyril
would not know, of course, but God would
see and send him back to them!
"Bernice," she said, slowly, papa will
come as soon as he can, / think. Now,
please ask me no more questions, dear; NAM
ma is very, very tired"
And by something in her mothers look
and tone, Bernice sought the familiar chair
and fell to wondering at the things she could
not understand.
Not until her mother said: Get your
wraps, dear" did she resume the gladstone
spirit of childhood. Then in great furry
she indicted herself into cloak and cap, and
stood waiting.
Not in all the ten years of her life had
Bernice Carol looked SO much like her faith
er. Joyce turned away and put her hands
over her eyes; memories flooded up SO!
Are you afraid of me, mammal queried
the child, coming round the big heliotrope
and brushing its fragrant blossoms as she
passed, in order to see the dear mother face.
my child. didn't mamma say don't AJAX