Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-07-07
The Miracle
BY TROY ALLISON

BY TROY ALLISON
Cop, right. 1919. by Homer sprague

were pOSllloilS III NE tlit size WOuiu
have found less trying than that OF
only child OF Il popular minister. She
loved the dear old rectory. with its
shabby furniture; she had grown up
feeling that the beautiful gray stone
church with the stained glass windows
was part of the family possessions:
but. while these things helped make
the condition pleasanter. they did not
keep her from wanting the things that
other girls had and to do the things
that other girls did.
Christmas after Christmas her lips
had quivered when she had received
from one TO dozen handsome Bibles
from the friends IN her fathers con-
gregation. Her mother had u sense OF
humor. and when Esther on her twen-
tleth birthday received Bible No. 81
she laughed and told her daughter that
for Christmas she would buy her an
adjustable extension bookcase. There
seemed nothing else that she needed
quite SO much.
The girls face seemed half divided
between desire TO laugh and TO cry.
Il don't see why they think | don't
want trinket occasionally fan. q
bracelet or something little bit friv-
olous. mamma" she said. Il have
nineteen MadoDnas hanging In my
room. and | have received ut various
times copy OF almost every religious
all M I lf1xn
them. but wish could be considered
as mere girl some time and not part
of 81. Johns church"
She had Us IA little girl cheerfully
given up the dancing lessons that she
wanted. She was never invited TO card
parties because each and every hostess
felt tiny bit doubtful ms 10 whether
II would be suitable TO extend such in
vitation TO her.
Even the dinner parties and ice
cream festivals had failed To be partic-
ularly interesting TO hcr-for II there
were a curate or theological student
among the guests she was sure TO have
him assigned to her. As Il schoolgirl
she had stolen furtive glances AT the
college boys who wore their hair long
and played football-there was some
thing fascinating In the jolly way they
laughed-and she had wished that her
hostess would understand that she
would Ike occasionally the girllsh fri
volity Of eating Il philopena with foot
ball youth. But they never did under
stand. and she continued to discuss
with curates the last Sundays sermon
or new plan for decorating the
church next Easter.
There had. however. been one glori-
Gus period of freedom she had spent
two years al II boarding school. had
played basketball us hilariouSly as any
girl on the team. had eaten welsh rare
bits. cooked ut midnight behind GOV
cred trunsonls and chink.d doors. with
the same temerity shown by the girls
who had lawyers or doctors FOR ia
theirs
And. best OF all. she had become ne
quainted with vivaciOus Elise BOur-
land. whose mother was French and
whose father considered life worth Nv
Ing and the world jolly place to live
In.
Contrary To the idea that like seeks
like. the two girls. so different. had
formed fast friendship.
When Dick Bourland. who practiced
Inv in city neighboring the school.
paid his weekly visits 10 his sister, he
pronounced demure little Esther Blake
altogether charming At the close of
school he told her so. and. finding that
she admitted having exactly the same
opinion of him. he had taken the long
journey to reach the little South Caro-
lima town and state the case to the
rector.
Dicks mother had. upon the an
nouncement OF the engagement. writ
ten II nice little note and invited the
girl TO come for visit that she might
get acquainted with her future rela-
tlves
The girl stood IN the library by the
window watching the rain that had
been steadily pouring all the forenoon.
pickering her forehead In anxious plan
mugs vi tnt puSsipiiiiN'o VI Nuc 'hSt.
II really don't see how | can 60
mamma" she said finally 1T Is i'm
possible for papa to afford II now"
Her mother tapped her pen medlta-
lively against the lnkstand and tried
to help her plan.
You get your railway fare at half
rate. you know. my dear-that helps
some-and you could alter my new gray
Grape aud make II look youthful enough
for calling dress. Then you have
your white commencement dress.
There's small foundation. you see. 10
begin with
Esther came over and sat on stool
by her mothers knee.
II can't help wanting his people to
think I'm nice-and for him 10 he proud
Of me. You understand. don't you.
motherkins?''
Mrs. Blake patted her OH the back
and her eyes grew misty.
"Yes. yes. dearie. | understand per
fectly-but | also remember that Dick
loved my girl for herself-when she
didn't have half the pretty clothes the
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