The Washington times., 1903-01-25

there: but as it happened, he did not,
Miss Inskip not considering him at all
in connection with the matter. But
IN the meantime, regarding his au-
dEence with her as final, he had signi-
fed in a new and wealthy parish
ioner that the large rental offered for
the pew was accepted, the details of
the arrangement to be referred to the
vestry at their next meeting.
About this time two contrary YER
sions of the story began to be whis-
pered abroad. On the following Sun
day, which happened to be Easter
Day, the large congregation felt an
apprehensive thrill as Miss Lavinia
entered-perhaps intentionaIly-a lit
tie late It watched her sweep
up tn long central aisle, it saw her
stop as she reached the Inskip pew,
filed to the very door with the
family of the rich parishtoner, happily
unconscious of the position they had
unwittingly assumed. Here its very
pulse seemed to pause with Miss
Lavinia She stopped. Her face was
deadly pale. The pews on either
hand were filled. She threw her head
back; she turned to go.
Then the pulse of the congregation
came back with a bound. Judge
Aiexander-once the young Richard
AIexander-had stepped into the aisle
as she came down. had met her, was
pointing through the open door of
his empty pew. She faItered. she
raised her glance to his. Could it be
tears in an Inskip's eye? Then she
shook her head, walked with steady
haughtines down the aisle of old
Christ Church and out of its doors.
Overcoat deliberately folded upon
arm, silk hat in hand, the judge
closed the door of his pew and left
also. Throughout the church. here
and there. old members rose and 81
lently followed his example. The
young rector stumbled, repeated him
self, and the Easter service went on
Miss Lavinia had gone home on
feet that scarcely seemed to touch
the pavements, so swift was her
stately speed. She had locked herself
and her pride behind the narrow door
that was her barrier between the
things Of to-day and the world of yes
terday.
Real Valenciennes on cotton, Gre
clan urn amid the BARRIERS pomades,
pearls on his vulgar wife, were not
more out of place than Miss Lavinia
in that small room. An epigram-
matte acquaintance once said that in
her youth she questioned the right
of nature to expect the Inskips to
draw breath for themselves Now.
she folded the old shawl with careful,
almost reverent hands. fearful Of the
time when it should be worn out.
She wrapped the velvet prayer book
in a linen cambria handkerchief Of
cobweb fineness, that its silver clasp
might not tarnish. Then. as surgeS
Of wounded pride swept over her
afresh, Miss Lavinia walked the floor
her thin hands clenChed at either side.
AN Inskip expected Difference Of
Heaven itself" She had laughed
when she heard such things. but in
her fnsolent heart she had gloried
that there was truth in them Was
not every Inskip taught these things
from birth? Had she not imbibed
them, and lived up to them, until to
her they were part of the plan of
creation itself? Had not her child
hoods fancies, her girlhood's friend
ships, her woman's heart, been
crushed beneath this Inslip pride?
Her woman's heart
Old as she was, blush that
scorched her soul burned over Miss
Lavinia's face He, whom she had
Inundated past forgiveness, for very
hatred of the knowledge that her
love was won where 1t might not be
given-he. to-day. had witnessed her
humiliation, and, hardest Of all to en-
dure, had offered her his protection,
There was a knock, She had re-
fused the dinner brought to her room.
Could hours have passed? Was it the
BARRIERS wife bringing her supper?
Miss Lavinia opened the door. It was
! to receive the tray of food, upon
/ which lay an envelope. And the hand
writing upon that envelope she had
| not forgotten in all these years!
| He had loved her always" said
/ the note. ''WoUld she let him come
| to herr"