The Van Buren press., 1900-04-14

But tonight an inspiration seized her, In
a moment it flashed over her. The pretty,
regular features lost their sorrow and the
light of a 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-resting
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"
Eyes, Bernice," answered the mother,
"they are to go 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.
Whats that you put in among the bios
SONS, mamma; letterf"
eyes, dear, little mite Of letter"
"What does it say, mammal" persisted the
child, curousy.
1T says everybody forgives everybody at
Eastertime; isn't that right, dearest"
Eyes, mamma" and the child waltzed
about the room in an ecstacy 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, mammaY she
asked, crossing her white arms on the coun'
ter where her mother was writing some
thing, and looking up with a great longing in
her face,
"Whot ails the child, tonight Of all
nightsg" whispered the hungry. hearted wife
with quvering Lips "She stabs mo to 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
zee and send him back to them!
"Bernice," she said, slowly, papa will
come as soon az he can, think. Now,
please ask me no more questions, dear; nam
ma is very, very tired y
And by something In her mothers look
and tone, Bernicc 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 glOdsomc
spirit Of childhood Then in a great furry
she inducted 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 70!
"Are you afraid Of me- mammal queried
the child, coming round the big helotropc
and brushing It's frogrn. blossoms IA she
passed, in order TO see the dear mother face,
"My child, didn't mamma say don't ask
questionsY" She took the perturbed face
between her cold palms and kissed away the
shadow.
90, / forgot your don't truly did,
mamma" laughed Bernice, cappins her
hands by way OF emphasis
"You may carry the offering, dear said
Joyce, as they stepped out into the semi
darkness,
Tho April moon in tho clear, crisp west
slaoted pale, faint CLEANS through the black
budded trees overhead The walk was u
boon after the long, shutup day; and the
new hope shed Its glory over all
The light through The stained glass save a
ruddy look to the face OF Joyce as she helped
Bcrnicc up the steps, A blessed welcome
fairly bcamcd upon them, even In the vcsti'
bulc, The organ was thWbbing out a glad,
praisciul prelude, and she felt as II Heavens
gates were truly open about her This joni'
tor followed her insdc, "'rhc new soloist
has come ne exclaimed, "the one you wrote
to-" thinking she was one Of the music com
mittee
"rhe new soloist," How everybody com.
bated her purposel Where was the old So
losty She leaned against the wall moment
to regain her composure.
Haven't had such a tenor since Carol
went away" the janitor continued; just
hear him sing"
"Yes," answered Joyce, "It Ia 6nej" but
she heard nothing, there was such a busslns
In her ears.