The Kalispell bee. [volume] (Kalispell, Mont.) 1900-192?, 1901-12-11

ACuCuACSS onC ACAV a AlUVIC d4Ouk
her nerves as she glanced at the woman
who had not spoken to her own hus-
band for ten years. This woman did
not look capable of such weird obsti-
macy; she was pretty, as Mrs. Arlnil
had said, but with more delicate and
refined beauty than the minister had
expected. "She looks-whom does she
look lilse?" thought the minister; II
declare it is Mona Lisa. She has just
that mysterious SMILE"
Perhaps a photograph Of Mona Lisa
hanging side by side on the wall with
the Archangel Michael suggested the
comparison. She wondered if it was
Mrs. Rogers taste that had selected
them, or the quiet paper on the walls,
the little dash of color in crimson
drapery for the ugly mantle behind the
stove, the pretty wicker chair in the
corner, the plants in the window. A
small library, she was sure, belonged
to the husband. "No," she remem-
bered, "Mrs. Armil said that she fur
nished the room to suit him.
And after a glance at the wife's tot
let, a brown alpaca gown made up with
profuse draperies and trimmings of
red velvet, she gave Mr.. Rogers credit
| for any evidence of taste.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Armil, who wished
to do honor to her guest, had intro
duced her.. like the columns of coun-
try paper as "Rev. Brainerd."
She now set the conversational ball
in motion with: REV. Brainerd's been
interested in the restitution round
here"
Eyes, it's bad" said Rogers, cross.
ing his legs and nervously twisting his
fingers, sits bad, but we could get
along if we could get more time on our
mortgage"
Are the farms about here mort
gaged?'
Eyes, ma'am. You may say all about
here are. PEARL" addressing Mrs.
Armil, "have you heard?"
Mrs. Arlnil told more in detail the
story that she had told Miss Brainerd
The interest in the mans eyes was
plain, and though yelled the same in
terest was in the woman's.
"Ain't you had letter from him
yet?" said Mrs. Armil, with the sympa-
thy of safe people for Others troubles.
"No," answered Mrs. Rogers, mot
yet; but we sent Leon to the town ia
see if we had a letter."
Then the talk drifted into general
tiles interrupted by the sound of hoofs.
Its Leon" exclaimed Rogers. He
went hastily to the door.
The child of this strange couple came
in. He looked like his mother and his
father, delicate like the one, dark-haired
and smiling like the other. His eyes
turned from the man to the woman in q
cordial glance that embraced them
both.
Eyes, got the letter." he said
Then, for the first time perceiving the
guest, he made his awkward schoolboy
bow to the lady and submitted to be
kissed by Mrs. Armil.
1--WE have mortgage on hand, too
you see,''' said Rogers; will you ladies
j excuse me?" Here he tore open the let
! ter with fingers plainly q tremble
There was no attempt at disguise
every woman in the room stared q
him. For him, his jaw fell; he grew
! paler, until his skin took the tint O
gray ashes. His first action was Il
} hand Leon the sheet with its type
written copy and engraved heading.
'Give it to your mother" he said
huskily.
, Icons eyes shone as he obeyed; h
+! was q child and hopeful. Mrs. Roger
, read the letter; she may have had NOR
l self-control than he, for there was N
: change, only rigid settling Of tn
S muscles. ''She is thinking that sh
I told him So" reflected the minister.
r Ma" Icons voice broke the silence
E won't you tell me?"
t There amt no reason why the