River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-06-04


ultant air as he wendell his church
ward way, thinking that his hour had
surely come; for his cousins collecting
route was the middle aisle, left hand
| side, and in this division was the Court
ney pew. Phyllis sat in the seat next
| the aisle; next to her little brother
| Ned, then a widowed aunt, and at the
| end of the pew Mrs. Courtney. Phyllis
invariably put a little white sealed en-
velope in the plate and then passed the
| plate to her aunt and mother for their
contributions. Many a time he had
| watched the process.
He was confident she would be
caught; she had a holy horror of doing
| anything to attract attention, and she
wouldn't balk to the extent of refus-
| ing to pass the plate to the other mem
bers of the family, even if she refused
to put in her envelope.
He waited with anxiety for the oc-
cupants of the Courtney pew to arrive,
| and breathed a sigh of relief when he
saw them take their accustomed
places. The length of the service and
sermon seemed intolerable. Never be-
fore had there been for him note of
welcome in the words LET your hight
so shine" He jumped to his feet and
went up the aisle in most unholy haste
J Phyllis did not chance to see him
on his way to the chancel. 1t was,
therefore. a surprise to her as he came
down the aisle in the place Of his
cousins white-haired husband. Sur
prise was quickly succeeded by con-
sternation. What should she do?
wild desire to leave the church seized
her, but her courage wasn't equal to
the undertaking. She was determined,
however, not to be checkmated. She
put the little white envelope back in
the rack.
Stephen Jerome and the passing
plate came nearer and nearer, he with
the air of a conquering hero. While
at the pew in front of the Courtneys
he took in the situation of the enemy
with a comprehensive glance-the
white envelope in the rack, the reso-
lutely folded hands of Phyllis, these
rene slumber of Ned, and the silver
coin in the hand of the aunt-a similar
one in the lap of Mrs. Courtney.
Phyllis proved game. She made no
motion to take the plate, as she usually
did. She felt the embarras sment of the
slight pause, and was conscious of
surprised, indignant chances from her
mother and aunt.
Finally her aunt moved closer to
the sleeping Ned and leaned forward
10 take the plate. In his discontinue
Stephen relinquished his grasp of the
plate too quickly. 1t fell to the floor
of the pew, and the silver coins rolled
about promiscuously. Ned awol1e and
helped his mother and aunt gather up
the overturned contents of the plate.
Phyllis was covered with chagrin
and embarrassment at the attention
attracted by this incident, while Jerome
felt that he was at last having his re-
venge. Her aunt had held the plate
during the operation of restoring the
money. She turned to hand it to Ned,
but he was under the seat searching
for more plumber. Jerome made no
motion to take it, and Phyllis knew
that he would stand there and wait
for her to take it. She was not cor
nered, however. She moved into Ned's
seat, took the plate from her aunt, and
set it down on the cushion.
At this moment a little chorister
chanted: 'It is more blessed to give
than to receive"
With smile, Jerome picked up the
plate and passed on. That evening
during his call he appeared so serious
and depressed that Phyllis did not
give expression to her triumph of the
morning. Suddenly Ned appeared in
the doorway.
Phyllis" he said, 81 want to see
you"
She followed him into the next
room. The boy looked troubled and
sheepish.
'sWhat is it, Ned?"
He hesitated and then blurted out:
"Say, Phyllis, you know when I
was picking up that money!"
eyes. dear"
"Well, l kept dime and put it in
my pocket
ooh Ned. Ned!"
GIVE been sorry all day. thought
I'd put it in the plate next Sunday, but
it's so long to wait. Don't tell mamma
l want you to give it to Mr.. Jerome"
''You come in and give it to him,
Ned"
''Oh. can't. Phyllis, I am ashamed.
1 should think you might do shat much
for me-" and he uplifted rueful face
with beseeching eyes.
She reflected moment. BY a very
simple act she could give pleasure to
one small, forlorn boy, and one big,
unhappy man.
81 will, Ned. Give it to me-" and she
took the dime from him, leaving a kiss
on the fair young brow. She then re-
turned to the music room and walked
directly up to Stephen, who sat with
his head leaning listlessly on his hand.
"Mr. Jerome" she said, unfinching
ly. Ned kept one of the dimes this
morning. His conscience troubles
him. and 1 told him would return it to
you"
She extended the coin.
With glow of incredulous ioy he
took the piece of money. Then he
put his arm about her, murmuring:
my darling!"
Afterwards she said:
st doesn't count. after all, for YOU
didn't say 'philopena!'
81 said My darling!' It's the same
thing" he declared.
But l won't have to make YOU a |
,,raSent - She DerSiSted