The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-01-06

= picture Of old man Hillyer as be sat
there on the bed In the vague lamp
light, recounting the one mistake Of bis
llfe and the grim fight he was stu
making to overcome the consequences.
and flush of shame stole over the
young man. .I've promised him." be
said aloud-"I've promised him to be
q man. and SHALL shalIr'
Just then the church bells began 10
ring. They were all harsh in tone, being
cheap cast iron, except one which had
been struggled into the village during
the war from larger town after the
church to which It belonged was ue-
stroyed BY fire. Its tone was sweet
and mellow and rose out Of the general
clangor IKE a promise of peace to suf-
ferfny souls. 1t was ringing in the lit
tie beIfry OF the church Lydia Cranston
attended. She was an Episcopalian.
but ms there was no church OF that de-
nomination at barley, and her father
was partial to the rather progressive
Young minister Of the Methodist church.
she and her mother went there regular
w.. And 1t must be confessed that
George Buckley had on many sun
day since forming her acquaintance at
tended that particular place OF wor-
ship. and chiefly for the opportunity
of seeing her. He knew that it would
be difficult thing for him to face
the little congregation. diyining the
thoughts that would rise in the minds
Of ALL and yet he met the matter cour-
ageously and went.
He was vaguely glad that the first
hymn had been sung and that there
were no loiterers, as was frequently
the case. on the steps. Reaching the
door and looking In, his heart set up
lively beating as he saw Lydia Gran
ston with her parents in their pew
The major was the only man In par
lev who sat on the ladies' side OF the
house. He seemed never to have re-
marked that he was acting In an excep-
tional manner in this regard. In an
other thing he was different from otn-
err men. He was, perhaps, the only
male individual in the village VINO
wore kid gloves. His silk hat was on
the floor at the end of the pew, and
across its top lay his gold headed cane,
I upon which was engraved respectful
tribute from his regiment. Indeed, the
! Cranston family had decided air OF
the old regime about them, and it was
all the more noticeable because OF the
| few families Of quite their own rank
at barley. Lydia. tall, graceful and
fair. was really pretty girl, and, what
was better, she was very well informed
Mrs. Dugan had often remarked tnat
! nearly all the young men-and those OF
the best barley blood too-were actual
Ily afraid OF the Virginia girl. and, while
she thought it most peculiar and de-
plored the condition of things, she at
tributed the lowborn George Buckley's
standing in Lydia's estimation to the
fact that he could talk to her about
books an the like an had the natu-
raj cheek of his class
| The central aisle was carpcted, and
/ George stepped softly to one OF the
seats I'm the rear and sat down. He
was glad that his arrival was noted
i only by a few. The young minister
would have been conspicuoussin lar
qer place than barley. He was SIX
feet four in height, very dark and re
markably slight; his eyes were dark
blue. his features sharp, and he wore
his black hair long and was clean
shaven.
j when the service was over George
stood and waited for Mrs. Hillyer, who
was coming toward him, In her stin
black silk, with welcoming smile
"GIad to see you out. young man..
she said as she Joined him. THAT
was a rip-you-up-the-back, pay-up-or
pit-out sort Of sermon, wasn't 1t
You m Mr. Hillyer ID better pass
, around yore bad accounts tomorrow
an maybe you'll git the benefit or II
seed old Peter Cashel duckin' hi
head time or,two." M ~
George smiled because she did. NOR
than at what sEe was saying, Tor th
Cranstons were passing. The smaJo
and his wife bowed with their usua
cold dignity. but Lydia gave him on
of her sweetest smiles do you fee
hitr" she laughed, referring to tn
. preachers talk.
, mot exactly he replied, coloripg
, spite of himself; ''but 1t was strong
: wasn't 1t?'
: "You bet he wasn't hit, Miss Lydia,
r spoke up Mrs. Hillyer. EFF everybod
paid Their debts like this young man
I to say nothin' of the debts Of othe
1 folks Brother Mayhem d be out
some'n' to preach about"
d "Oh, know that, Mrs. Hillyer,
e Lydia said, with laugh, and she weI
q on to her father, who was looking bac
= and frowning impatiently.
= Outside the church, George and Mr.
i Hillyer walked homeward togetne
g She was in laxative mood, as usua
at amt any O. my business, Geore
. Buckley" she said. but when 1t come
Z to KNOWN how to treat women foil
u you take the rag of the bush. 4 wa
a tickled back thar. You treated thu