The Van Buren press., 1903-06-06

will at once assume my entire com
mand of dignity in honor of the occa-
sion"
He started at an early hour for
church, in order TO give information OF
his cousins illness and to offer him
self as a substitute in the offertory
exercises. He hummed a little ex-
ultant air as he wended his church
ward way. thinking that his hour had
surely come; for his cousin 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 lie had
watched the process.
He was confident she would he
caught; she had a holy horror of doing
anything to attract attention. and She
wouldn't baIk 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 iutolerable. Never be-
fore had there been for him note Of
welcome in the words let your light
so shine He jumped to his feet and
went up the aisle in most unholy haste.
Phyllis did not chance to see him
on his way to the chauccl. 1t was.
therefore, a surprise to her as he came
down the aisle in the place Of his
cousins whitc-halred husband. Sur
prise was quickly succeeded by con.
sternation. What should she do? j!
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, the Sc
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 embarrassment Of The
slight pause, and was conscious Of
surprised, indignant glances from her
mother and aunt
Finally her aunt moved closer to
the sleeping Ned and leaned forward
to 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 awoke and
helped his mother and aunt gather up
the overturned contents Of the plate
Phyllis was covered with chaCrin
and embarrassment at the attention
attracted 10y this incident, while jerome
felt that he was at last having his re.
vcnge. 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 plundcr. Jerome made no
motion to take il, and Phyllis knew
that he would stand there and wait
for her TO take it. She was not cor.
nercd, 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 chorstcr
chautcd: at is more blessed to give
than TO receive
With a 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 SEQ
you'
She followed him into the next
room The boy looked troubled and
shccpish,
"Wh0t is it, Ncd?'
He hcitatcd and then burtcd out:
"Say, Phyllis, you know when
was picking up that money"
"Ncs, dear"
"Wcll, kept dime and put It in
my pocket
ooh Ned, Nedl"
"l've been sorry all day thought
I'd put II IN the plate next Sunday, but
It's so long TO wait. Don't tell mamma,
| want YOU TO give II TO Mr. Jerome"
"You come in and give ii TO him,
Ned"
ooh. ! cant. Phyllis, ! am ashamed,
should think YOU might do hat much
for me-" and ne upliftcd rucful face
with bcsocching eyes,
She reflected q moment by very
simple act she could give pleasure TO
one small, forlorn boy aud one big,
unhappy man,
"l will. Ned. Give II TO me" and she
took The dime from him, leaving Kiss
on the fair young brow. She then re-.
turned to the music room and walked
directly mp 30 stephen, who sat with
his head leaning listlcssly on his hand.
"Mr, Jerome" she said unGmchInp.
~, "Ncd kept one ~ the dimes This
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