Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1902-08-11
STORY for an
Hole 'DOur
HE HOMECOMING OF PRIVATE
WILLIAMS.
BY Bernard Gott.

Having unlocked the church door,
re girl brushed her shoes on the
orch mat; then, pushing aside the
aavy red curtain, walked up the aisle
the lectern.
Looking at the half sheet of writing
aper in her left hand she turned over
he pages of the heavy Bible, putting
4 the ribbon marker at the first and
econd lesson for the morrow's ser7.
&c. Slipping another half sheet Of
writing paper into her fathers prayer
,oOk on the reading desk, she ascend
ID the pulpit.
She rested the basket, which she
carried on her left arm, on the pulpit
:dge and took up her fathers sermon
ase.
A mans hushed voice crept through
he shrouded afternoon gloom.
''May I come in?"
The girl started, and faced hastily
oward the porch. Her arm tipped
he basket over and a simple wreath
If white flowers fell to the cold aisle
pavement. Before the girl could
speak man stepped from the darken-
ed porch, walking quickly up the aisle
and, picking up the wreath, handed it
to her.
He stood looking intently at the
girl without speaking.
Father does not leave the church
Open,'' said the girl; "but if you want
to examine it you can always get the
Key from Mr.. Johnson, the bell ringer
He keeps the village newspaper shop.
But shall be here for another twenty
minutes or so, if that will be long
enough" she added.
THANK you,'' said the man.
The girl noticed that as he turned
% walk away look of blank despair
,assed over his face.
Leaving her fathers sermon in the
NUlpit the girl turned to come down.
She looked to see what the man was
DING. He was standing in the center
isle looking at her, but turned away
Immediately he caught her eye.
Having arranged some flowers or
lie altar, the girl picked up ner
asket, now empty save for the church
ey and the single wreath of white
overs and walked down towards The
estern end. Suddenly she turned to
le left. The sun was throwing a
taft of light through the western
indow, Illuminating the features Of
Re crucified Christ pictured on it.
q Of ISorh% -
nall brass tablet on a pillar The
an was standing staring at the
blet. The girl stopped; the man 7io
1t hear her He was clutching the
lck Of the pew to support himself.
is rusty SLOUGH hat had fallen to the
'Ound, and the girl saw that his
lard and hair were scanned with iron
ay. Yet he looked rather as one.
no had seen many years.
The girl tapped with her heel on the
sic to arouse him. He started.
'T beg your pardon" he halt
hispered, then, after a pause, If you
oUld read out that inscription you
ould be doing me a great favor. My
yesight is bad, and the sunlight
azzles me-"
He spoke as if frightend of his own
dice
The girl stepped up closer to the
ablet, and, standing so as the fading
cam of light struck it, read IN a
ushed voice.
In Loving Memory
of
HENRY JOHN WILLIAMS.
Private in the Royal East African
Regiment.
Born in this Parish, April 9, 1866.
'ost during the British retreat from
Coomassfe, Aug. IA, 1897.
[ beheld, and lo a great multitude
hitch no man could number, of all
ations, and kindreds, and people and
1ngues, stood before the throne, and
efore the lamb, clothed with white
)bes and palms in their hands.
Revelations z, tx.
Below e tablet was a gIass-faced
Use containing a newspaper cutting.
he girl read on as one who knows
hat she reads by heart:
The Times, Aug. %, 1897.