The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1902-07-18

what are you going TO dor" she
asked. curiously. us she saw him APP
preaching, dragging \ ladder after
him.
"Going to climb up there and paint
the stecple if there's any paint in the
pail"
"Oh. Dick! I'm afraid you'll fall"
lie laughed at this idea. lie could
climb like a squirrel. There wasn't
a barn, chimney or building in Cary
don Corners whose height he had not
scaled. lie placed the ladder against
the church and climbed to the top
rung. BY the aid of II friendly light
ming rod and by much scrambling he
made the roof; Ellie standing mean.
time with tightly shut eyes.
"All right, Efic.' he called.
She looked up and bcheld him
standing placidly by the stecplc.
"Oh, Dick" she cried. "lIow
grand you look up there. Monarch
Of all you survey
II will be, in truth, before ! como
down." he replied, knowingly; but,
| say, Ellie. what luck! Here's paint
enough to cover the stccplc all right"
and he commenced vigorously plying
the brush.
lie worked quickly, whistling the
while. and in n short time had com
plctcd his task. Ellie applauded and
called up to him to remove the deco
rntions. lie took from his pocket
some stout cord and fastened an end
of il to the handle of the now empty
pail.
"put the brush in the pail and lei
il down TO me and | will unite IL;
then you can pull up the string and
let down the pieces Of scaiTolding.
lie considered a moment.
"Not YETI he replied. you 60
and fetch your mother here"
"Shc will be so pleased" and Ellie
FASTENED home. While she was gone,
Dick occupied himself by taking the
scaiTolding from the stccplc. There
fore, when Mrs. Lane appeared upon
the scene, her vision was gladdcncd
by the sight Of an unobstructed stce.
pie painted to match the church.
"Oh, Richard. you dear boy!" she
cried, ovcrjoyed at the restoration OF
the stccplc and herself to the esteem
of the Circle. ''llow nice il looks.
It's so good in you!'
"You cant say now that | have
never done anything for the church.
he asserted.
"No, indeed! You have done q
good deed for the church, and for
me, too"
well, that was the only objection
you claimed against me. Now that
is removed, will you give me Enie:'
II certainly won't forbid my
daughters going with you after what
YOU have done to-day she replied.
appeasingly.
lie looked at her warily. lie re-.
membcrcd her contract with J.
Henry Swain. and how il was broken
He was Us devoid of faith in tn,
stanchncss Of the Circle as j. Henry
had been.
81 am u business man, Mrs. Lane
and want il down in writing. JUS
write out that YOU give your consent
TO Eflc's marrying mo and sign it.
will let down the pail and you can put
the paper in and send ii up TO me-
"Why. don't you trust me. Dick
swell, | want a receipt for III.
services, and that will do"
But | haven't any writing ma
tcrials." she pleaded.
81 have" said Ellie, producing Al
envelope and pencil from her pocket
"Nou know | can't see without m,
g~lasses,' replied the mother, fret
fully.
"lll write it, said Ellie, cheerful
ly, as she hastily 'cribblcd apromisor.
note. "Iou can see well enough Il
sign"
II am not going to do any sucl
thing declared Mrs. Lane, now a
bay.
nNnrr urnll . LII NIL I.nuA