The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-06-18

VII lSn, III OIutr 10 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 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 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,
! anu DltdbHtu d sign VI ItllCI WITCH lie
saw them take their accustomed
| places. The length of the service and
| sermon seemed intolerable. Never be-
fore had there been for him a 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
/ l. ! II
therefore, a surprise to her as he camd
down the aisle in the place of his
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 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 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: eft 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.
''What is it, Ned?"
He hesitated and then blurted out:
''Say Phyllis. you know when
was picking up that money!"
eyes. dear"
"Well, I kept dime and put it in
my pocket"
ooh Ned Ned!"
give been sorry all day. I thought
| I'd put it in the plate next Sunday, but
/ it's so long to wait. Don't tell mamma
want you to give it to Mr.. Jerome"
'You come in and give it to him,
! Ned"
'Oh, I can't. Phyllis. am ashamed.
I should think You might do that mach
for me" and he uplifted a rueful face
with beseeching eyes.
She reflected a moment BY 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 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 hia hand
'Mr Jerome" she said, unlnching.
ly, Ned kept one of the dimes this
morning. His conscience troubles
him, and 1 told him l would return it to
you"