Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-07-16
mand Of dignity in honor of the occa-

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 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 little white sealed en-
velope in the plate and then passed the
plate to her aunt and mother for their
contributions. Many time he had
watched the process.
He was confident she would De
caught; she had holy horror of dong
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 hght
so shine" He jumped TO his feet ana
went up the aisle in most unholy haste
Phyllis did not chance to see nm
on his way to the chancel. II was,
therefore, a surprise TO her as he came
down the aisle in the place OF ms
cousins white-haired husband. Sur
prise was quickly succeeded by con
sternation. What should she do? a
wild desire to leave the church seized
her. but her courage wasn't equal e
the undertaking. She was determined
however. not to be eheekmated. she
put the little white envelope back u
the rack
stephen Jerome and the passing
Mate came nearer and nearer, he viii
The air Of a eouquering hero Nhii'
At the pew IN front 81 the Courtney
! he took fl the situation Of the enem!
with a comprehensive giance-th'
white envelope in the rack. the reso
lutely folded hands Of Phyllis the S
!. rene slumber Of Ned, and the siive'
coin Ia the hand Of the aunt-a slmha
i one in the lap of Mrs. Courtney
PHYLLIS proved game. She MADE p
( motion to take the plate. as she usual
Z aid. She felt the embarrassment Of IN
slight pause, and was conscious Q
surprised. indignant glanees from ne
mother and aunt.
Finally her aunt moved closer
= the sleeping Ned and leaned forWaf
:. 10 take the plate In his diseomftui
:. stenber relinquished his grasp OF Il
- = Mate too quickly, 1t fell to the nos
of the pew. and the silver CONS roht
about promiscuously. Ned awoke al
~ belned his mother and aunt gather !
the overturned contents OF the pia'
II pbvllfs was covered with ehagr
. and embarrassment at the atteh'i'
attracted by this incident, ileJeron
nc ta1t that he was at last having his I
u venre. Her aunt had held the pa
ou during the operation Of restoring Z
money She turned TO hand " TO Nt
~ bnt he was under the seat searchii
ne Tor more plumber. jerome made
notion rs take it. and Phyllis kn'
e that he would stand there and WI
NJ Co.. her 70 take II. She was not C
s. nered. however She moved INTO Ne'
seat took the plate from her aunt a
e. ser II down on the cushion.
Al this moment little ehoris'
TO .hanttd. 1T Is more blessed to g
than TO receive"
". with a smile. Jerome picked up
!, Mate and passed on That even
she during his call he appeared so seri'
me and depressed that Phyllis did
olive expression to her triumph OF
norning Suddenly Ned appeared
the doorway
+, - you" 49,. ,be =
her room The boy looked troubled
-. sheepish.
ing ~ besitated and then blurted Q
his "say PHYLLIS, you know when
TO vas pieking up that money
aYes. dear
lim, "wen. | kept dime and put
H"9 my pocket"
"oh Ned. Ned"
r." "I,ve been sorry all day. thou
'res- ia put it in the plate next sunday,
aere ~ - long 10 wait. Don't tell man
ON. want YOU to give i e Mr. Jeroi
ayou come in and give It to
$50 Ned"
htit ooh I can't. Phyllis ] am ashai
E q should think YOU might do that r
! an ~ me" and be uplifted ruefui
! witb beseeching eyes
ailed She reflected a moment. By
dyed simple act she could give pleasur
aho ~ small. forlorn boy, and one
- unhappy man
'ntiy u wiIl Ned. Give it 70 me. an'
Is 70 .,oL the dime from him, leaving
tut ~ fair Young brow She the