Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-06-03
mand of dignity in honor of the occa-

LIS SCATbSu dG du early nOuT ICE church, in order to give information of his cousins illness and to offer him. self as a substitute in the offertory exercises. He hummed 8 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 little white sealed en" ve1ope 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 8 holy horror of doing anything to attract attention, and she wouldn't balk to the extent of rsfus- ing to pass She plate to the other mem- bers o1 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 sigh of relief when he saw them take their accustomed places. The length of the service and sermon seemed into1erab1e. 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 unh o1y haste. Phyllis. did not chance to see him on his way to the chancel. It was, therefore, 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? A wild desire to leave the church seized her, but her, courage wasn't equal to the undertaking. She was determin ed, 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 8 comprehensive glance-the white envelope in the rack, the reso- luteIy folded hands of Phyllis, the ser 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 embarrassmento 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. It 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 chagrfn and embarrassment at the attention attracted by this incident, while Jerome felt that he was at last having his re- vengev 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 1t. 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 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 l morning. Suddenly Ned appeared in the doorway.
 Phyllis" he said, 'I want to see you.'
 She. followed him into the next room The boy looked troubled and sheepish. '4
 "What is it, Ned?" z<.& He hesitated and then blurted out: s'Say, Phyllis, you know when was picking up that money?' ''Yes, dear"
 "Well, I kept dime and put it in my pocket" a, >>.
 ''oh Ned, Nedi''
 ''I've 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. I want you to give it to MT. Jerome" !"
 ''You come in and give it to him, Ned.'' .,., ooh, I can't, Phyllis, am ashamed. I should think you might do that much for me" and he uplifted a rueful face with beseeching eyes. :s- She reflected moment. By a very simp1e act she could give pleasure to one small, forlorn boy, and one big, unhappy man. ..s,.
 ''I 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 listless1y on his hand.
 'Mr. Jerome" she said, unflinching- ly, "Ned kept one of the dimes this morning His conscience troubles him. and I told him would return it to you"
 She extended the coin.