Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-09-19
DAILY SHORT STORY
But a Repetition.
IOr1gInaI.I

ness In another, she could hear every
thing that was even whispered in her
presence, and some people vowed she
could hear more.
The Rev Mr.. Boyle, a very young
minister, whose duties as assistant rec
tor were principally to visit the poor
of the parish, usually got round TO
call on Aunt Mary about o'clock on
Wednesday afternoon. Jennie Pixley,
who sat spellbound in church on those
rare occasions when Mr.. Boyle was
permitted TO preach one of his rhetoric
al sermons, but had found few oppor-
tunities to be alone with him, knew
that he visited Aunt Mary on Wednes-
day afternoons, for she watched him
from behind the blinds going past her
house to do so.
One Wednesday afternoon shortly
before 4 o'clock Jennie knocked at
Aunt Mary's door and. being hidden,
entered, finding the old woman knitting
socks in high backed rocker.
81 am Jennie PiXley, Aunt Mary.
Eve often thought how lonely you must
be here by yourself and just came In
to have little chat with you"
That's very Kind of you" said the
old woman. al can't see you, but can
hear you, and you have a sweet voice
kindly voice. I'm sure you must be
very unselfish to come and see a poor
old woman like me-
Jennie felt little guilty at this, be-
cause in timing her visit she had only
allowed five minutes before the usual
arrival of the clergyman. Indeed, she
had barely time to express little sym
pathy before he came in. Jennie look
ed very much put out at being caught
and expressed wonder how it was
that they happened to meet at the same
hour of the same day. Mr.. Boyle, who
had seen Jennie's fresh young face and
melting eyes looking up at him when
he occupied the pulpit and had been
longing to meet her, remarked that it
was always pleasant to cross the path
of those engaged in the Lords work,
whereupOn Jennie wondered how he
could be always ready with such
speeches. Together they talked with
Aunt Mary and the clergyman took
out his notebook to put down what she
required, Jennie volunteering to sup
ply most of the articles. Then after
many expressions of sympathy they
left the house together.
The next Wednesday afternoon Mr..
Boyle was hurrying past Jennie's
house, when n sudden thought struck
him and he turned and rang the bell.
Jennie was watching him through the
blinds and knew what he wanted. In
deed. her hat was pinned on to her
head preparatory to going with the as
sistant rector if he should ask her. He
did ask her, announcing that Aunt
Mary had been ill and was rapidly fail
ing.
When they reached the house they
found the old lady in bed and not espe-
cially alive to what was going on.
They stood over her and looked down
upon her commiseratingly.
''She's very feeble, poor SOUL" said
the rector.
Very" assented Jennie.
81 think we had better sit down and
talk over what it is best to do in the
matter. She needs attention"
81 can stay this afternoon"
They seated themselves on a worn
old sofa to talk over the Lords work.
at must be very nice for you to have
all the girls in the congregation so
ready to assist you," remarked Jennie.
81 fear if we hadn't happened acct
dentally to meet here 1 should never
have been called upon"
Not at ALL When 1 saw from the
pulpit your benevolent upturned face
said to myself, There is a girl for
sacrifice"
asked Jennie, looking down demurely.
II did, and said more than 1 have
repeated"
What moreY'
az said, She has a soul as pure as
pearl, heart as true as the holy
gospel and as tender as the tear of a
repentant Christian
what more?"
"I said, What lovely rosy cheeks,
what shining hair. what soft eyes, and
the mouth is pretty enough to- - He
paused.
"What? asked Jennie, looking up
into his face, q picture Of wonder.
Jennie's face was near the clergy
mans, and her parted lips were ire
sistible. For moment there was the
stiffness of-welI, of the sick cham
Der, and then there was a smack loud
enough to wake AT any rate, 1t
aroused Aunt Mary. She uttered a
moan. The two arose from the seat
on which they had been consulting as
to her requirements, went to her and
stood over her.
aunt Mary" said the clergyman,
do you want anythingY'
81 was dreaming. Was 1 dreaming.
or was 1t real? 1t can't be real. be-
cause I'm not eighteen: I'm eighty
Mother was sick upstairs. She died
that night Arthur came in, he said.
ito ask after mother but 1 knew he
wanted to see me. We sat down on
the soft. and he began to tell me of his
love. L can't listen TO it now. Arthur
1 said, with mother dying upstairs. 1t
is awful selfish. We should be there
to her. That's the work
the Lord expects of u.s. But he held