The Tupelo journal., 1904-10-21

hhSh " eoNA
them she answered rebelliously.
She was a beautiful young creature,
the minister's wife; tall, slender, and
golden-haired, but whether or not she
would be the helpmeet the minister
needed In the years To come, was a
question. And yet it was such a pleas
ure only TO o al her as she sat IN
the r of the pew on Sundays In
her well-fitting suit and pretty hat.
And when she sang, for she had a
beautiful and highly cultivated voice,
every eye turned to where she stood.
Yes. they were proud Of her, these
care-burdened. common people. aha
they did not blame her il she did not
care tor them as friends. They were
different and they realized it, very Of
ten too with a sharp feeling of pain
as she passed them with only a nod
Of greeting and with barely a touch
of her well-gloved hand.
What do you think Mrs. Harper is
making for the minister's wife?"
asked Mrs. Wilkins OF Mrs. Dodge n
afternoon as they met on the street.
I'm sure / don't know" was the re-
ply.
"a knitted counterpane." announced
Hrs. Wilkins, and her hands are so
crippled by rheumatism 100 Why.
every stitch she takes must pain her,
I don't see how she can do il, for the
minister's wife never notices her eX-
copt by a nod. l don't believe she'll
yer use it after she gets it, either"
cdded Mrs. Wilkins soberly- She
~teadful particular about her beGS,
nd uses only the finest Marseilles
apreads. Sarah Ann Newton told me
50, for I've lever seen EN-. I've tried
ny best but l Fever got further than
he front room yet"
Mrs. Dodge smiled a little. She
isn't so very sociable, is she?" she
said; still, perhaps we expect too
much"
Mrs. Wilkins did not deign q reply.
old Mrs. Harper just set on maxim
That counterpane," she continued, land
givin' it too. It's pretty and there's
lots of work about it Well. we'll.
hope she won't get her feelin's hurt
before it's through with. She's Won
derin' too, now that it's SO near done.
how she'll present it"
I'D like the best in the world to
set up a pound party for the minister
this fall" said Mrs. Dodge thought
fully. "He Is so fond Of my peach pre-
serves and l would like him to have
some, but do you know. I'm most
afraid-"
Mrs. wilkins looked sympathetic.
so am l." she admitted frankly, land
I too was thinking the same thing.
] had such good luck with my chill
sauce. / could take that as my Offer
ing. but his wife"
There was a pause. Let's have 1t
anyway" said Mrs Dodge refectively.
and then Mrs. Harper q give her
counterpane."
And so it was arranged.
The minister was studying a new
book that evening. Near him sat
his wife reading some letters from
home. As she folded them up her eyes
wandered idly over the well-warmed.
pleasant rooms. Every one speaks
at home as If | were working right
with Bertram," she thought. Il won
der If they realize what kind of mem
bers We have, il they would expect it!
I don't see why | need be public prop
erty just because / happen to be a
| minister's wife, and they're not Lay
equals"
Just then the door bell rang. The
minister looked across at his wife
with a fond smile. Don't get up,
julia" he said, I'm CO."
He laid down his book, went to the
| door, and opened it. The yard and
| porch we're full of people. They greet
ed him warmly, for every one loved
the minister. Each person had a par
eel.
why, what is this?" cried the min
lister merrily. Come in! come in"
and then he thought Of his wife.
They entered the beautiful rooms
hesitatingly, and the minister, seeing
it. strove to put them at their ease.
At that moment his wife came for
| ward, her lovely face, above the pref
ty gown, looking colder than ever.
What does this intrusion mean"
she thought bitterly. Am l never
TO have a moment to myself"
She greeted them, but with no
warmth, and they, feeling it, passed
silently on into the kitchen, laying
their generous offerings on the table.
I'm going home" whispered Mrs.
Wilkins to Mrs. Dodge, "she don't want
lis. Why did we ever attempt such a
thing; we ought to have known bet
ter"
But Mrs. Dodge held her back
wait Just a minute" she entreated.
Your going will only make things
worse"
The minister threw himself glori-
ously into the breach. 1t was painful
but he made q gallant effort. During
one of the lulls, old Mrs. Harper crept
up to him. She laid a bundle In his
hands. For your wife," she whis-
pered.
The minister's wife was across the
room. The minister looked at the
tall, slender figure that to him had
never before held itself quite SO erect.
Julia" he called with a gayety
that'was all assumed, give a package
for you from our dear Mrs. Harper,
and I'm going to open it here"
He united the string, and because
the occasion had been forced upon her.