The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-06-28
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THE DISREGARDED NINTH.
Elizabeth Frye Page in the Living Church.

| The sunlight, streaming through gorge
Gus stained glass windows, fell ON white
robed priest and kneeling people. A cul-
tured, sonorous voice WINS saying
ssThou shalt not bear false witness
against thy neighbor.
| Then the deep toned organ pealed forth,
and the kneeling congregation, led by the
surpliced choir, chanted
''Lord, have mercy upon us, and incline
our hearts to this law.
| The service proceeded The sacrament
of the Lord Supper was administered to
hundreds, who silently and solemnly moved
to and from the altar. The Gloria IN
Ercelsis rang out in simple majesty, then
the Name Dianittis, and the benediction
and the great congregation dispersed.
Outside, two handsomely gowned women
joined each other and started on their
homeward walk. In the eyes of one there
shone deep peace, and her heart was
full OF love and good will toward all man
kind. The service she had just been
through had made deep impression, and
she felt strengthened and exalted by it.
They walked along in silence few mo-
ments, and then the other woman said
"What poor delivery that visiting cler
gyman had was so disappointed when
found ne was to preach.
Thus rudely awakened from her peace
full meditations, Mrs Goodheart replied
"But, my dear, he was so earnest, and
the subject matter of his discourse was
practical and helpful.
just then, they turned corner of the
street and met lovely girl whom they
both knew, and who gave them sweet,
cordial greeting, which Mrs. Goodheart
returned with equal warmth; but Mrs.
Pomposity only drew herself up haughtily
and gave the girl a cold, insolent stare, at
the same time saying audibly: You
dom speak to that creature, do your
"Why certainly | speak to Violet Mont
gomery She is one of the loveliest girls
know, replied Mrs. Goodheart warmly.
''Then, surely you haven't heard,
said the other in knowing tone, and pro-
ceeded to retail as vile piece of scandal
Gus gossip as an evil mind could conjure
up.
Mrs. Goodheart was indignant and
took up the cudgels at once in behalf Of
the absent, maligned girl, saying cit
can be true I've known that girl init
mately for years and purer, more refined,
and dignifed character [ never encount-
cred -
'Oh, yes. | know her refinement and
dignity, but that is just the kind to watch.
You know the old saying, Still water runs
deep and the devil S at the bottom, . con-
tinued Mrs. Pomposity.
II am grieved sincerely over this ru-
NOR, said Mrs. Goodheart, ''for | am
sure the poor child is innocent and knows
no hing of it. There is no punishment
here or hereafter severe enough for the
wretch who started it.
swell, you can champion her cause if
you want to, but for my part, I'm con-
vinced that where there is so much smoke
there must be some fire, and I shall have
nothing to do with her. said the other,
and added righteously, 81 think we can t
be too particular in such matters. The
girl has at least been indiscreet, and L
cut my own grandmother, if she were in
discreet.
Mrs. Goodheart, having arrived at her
| own gate, was glad to say goodbye to her
companion, who called to her as she was
leaving ''For mercys sake don't tell
any one | told you that story. | never
repeat such things, and wouldn't have told
you if | hadn' thought it was for your
own good.
Violet was puzzled over the treatment
accorded her by Mrs. Pomposity and Won
dered about it all the way home. She told
her mother about it and said: ''What do you
suppose was the matter with her? Inever
have said or done anything to offend her,
and the last time we met she was so gra
cious.
perhaps she didn't see you, dear,
said Mrs. Montgomery, sat any rate |
wouldn't worry over it, for she is pecu-
liar woman and even her best friends hard
ly understand her. y
$50 the subject was dismissed, and
Violet soon forgot the occurrence.
About two weeks later, Mrs. Goodheart
sat in her sewing room one morning when
Violet called She went downstairs at
once and greeted her visitor with a cheer
full smile and loving kiss; but she saw
instantly that something was wrong. Vile
was pale and nervous and worried. oh,
dear Mrs. Goodheart,' she said, There
is a story of some kind aAuat about me. |
don know what it is? | only know that
several people have stopped Speaking to
me, and the other day on the car, | sat
back of two girls who were talking about
me. didn' know either of them, but
they seemed to know all about me. One
of them said Everybody in town is
talking about it and half of her old friends
have cut her dead 1t is perfectly terri
ble And the other other one replied
Il don suppose there any doubt about
it, but was awfully surprised and couldn't
believe it at first, for I've waited on her
so often in the store, and she seemed to
be such perfect lady But they tell me
these society women are awfully fast. .
Now, Mrs. Goodheart, what is it? If
even the shop girls know it, surely you
must have heard it. For the love of pity,
tell me, for | am miserable over these in
situations.
"My dear said the older woman,
'sdon' you know that you have the love
and confidence of the best people in this
town? Spiteful remarks of few jealous
individuals can t injure you.
ssYou are evading the question, said
Violet, 81 can see in your face that you
know what it is Tell me, | pray you.
It is mistaken kindness not to do so.
How can one combat an evil without know
ing what it is? Please tell me. | want
to know the very worst. This uncertain
ty will kill me. y
60 afrer much pleading Mrs. Good