The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-02-18
AMONG THE LILIES.
BY F.. H. LANCASTER.

Copyright. 1902. by Daily Story Pub. co.lg s@s@Eesesssssss9SSss:s=z rug watching the play of the nreiigh on on the . ceiling ceiling when Mr. Vaughn entere'
 T wished to see you alone." he ex plained as she scrambled to her feet 'there are some points of difference be tween us that 1t would give me grea pleasure to reconcile
 "oh, don't know, she responded care ,sssly. M I I'm sure that nat, ]. am quite satis
 But am not" he cut in sternly. sYot have spread the report that I have com pelled your non-attendance at church Will you please explain how?
 withdrawn. and you are." Mable returned cooily.
 They looked into each others eyes steadily for moment as though meas uring their strength. Carson was the first to speak.
 And If am, have I not cause to bel Have you ever been anything but a plague and torment to me since took charge of this parish?'
 "I have tried not to be; if there is any thing have loft undone am very sorry and promise you that ] shall make good the omission at the earliest opportunity.
 There Is only one omission that am making me fali in love @ With you" '
 T have not gone about 1t in the right way. 1 suppose" Mable returned com posedly. But it Is not worth while for us to spend the whole evening quarrel ing" she added pleasantly. Father and mother are out at g. neighbor's. so l hone you will keep my tea from being solitary"
 Carson was puzzled by the sudden he realized what a bright. hralny woman this stray sheep was. Nab seemed de- ternined to make herself agreeable. Sh . succeeded so we'll that before he took her hand in parting Vaughn was quite ready to forgive and forget.
 And this was only the beginning Near ly every day they met somewhere for a moment at Aeast and the meeting was always pleasant. Carson heard that she had explained this sudden change of frent by announcing that she and the preacher had made 1t up.
 Long enough before>the Lenten season had passed 1t had become natural for him to regard her as his sworn second on Saturday to decorate for Easter. Ma ble took up her role as matter of course and zealously seconded his every sug- gestion
 at last stood alone together before the lily banked altar he should have felt called upon to express his gratitude and It was also natural that as the evening was growing late ana the soft Apfil twl- light was filling the church with all sorts of shadows. his words should have been warmer than gratitude strictly de- nanded.
 If you onlv knew" he concluded husk- fly, "how very. very dear you have grown to me-
 Mable spoke quickly as though afraid Of herself.
 Does this mean that I have made good the only omission you could sug- gest that evening?'
 Carson started into sternness What evening? An. what a fool I have been."
 "Yes." Mable agreed. "it is a rash thing to defy a woman as you defied me-"
 Carson made no reply. He was staring at the lilies with touch of savageness It was easy enough now to understand He stopped and took from the altar steps a long stemmed lily and offered 1t to her
 Crush 1t under foot if you see ft." he said quietly.
 Mable took the pure. fragile emblem of Easter gladness and looked for a long, uncertain moment. Then suddenly with shy laugh she thrust the long stem Into her belt and the lily laid Its heavy head upon her breast. BEAVER LAKE" by D. H. raltnage !"