Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1906-07-12
The Miracle
By TROY ALLISON
Copyright, 1905, by Homer sprague

have found less trying than that of
only child of popular minister. She
loved the dear old rectory, with it's
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 sense of
humor, and when Esther OH her twen-
tieth 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.
II don't see why they think don't
want trinket occasionally-a fan,
bracelet or something 4 little bit friv-
olous, mamma" she said 81 have
nineteen Madonnas hanging in my
room, and 1 have received at various
times copy Of almost every religious
picture ever printed. OF course like
them, but 1 wish 1 could be considered
as mere girl some time and not part
of st. Johns church."
She had as a 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 as to whether
it 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 her-for If there
were curate or theological student
among the guests she was sure to have
him assigned to her. AS 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 like occasionally the girlish fri
volity of eating philopena with foot
ball youth. But they never did under
stand, and she continued to discuss
with curates the last Sundays sermon
or q new plan for decorating the
church next Easter.
There had, however, been one glori-
Gus period of freedom-she had spent
| two years at boarding school, had
played basketball as hilariously as any
girl on the team, had eaten welsh rare
bits, cooked at midnight behind COW
cred transoms and chinked doors, with
the same temerity shown by the girls
who had lawyers or doctors for ia
| theirs.
| And, best of all, she had become ac-
quainted with vivacious Elise Bour-
land, whose mother was French and
whose father considered life worth liv-
ing and the world jolly place to live
| in.
Contrary to the idea that like seeks
| Inc, OAS tWO gins, 81 uAhCACAl, ANo
| formed fast friendship.
When Dick Bourland, who practiced
law in a city neighboring the school,
paid his weekly visits to 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 a nice little note and invited the
girl to come for visit that she might
| get acquainted with her future rela-
tives.
The girl stood in the library by the
window watching the rain that had
been steadily pouring all the forenoon,
puckering her forehead in anxious plan
nings Of the possibilities Of the case.
II really don't see how l can go,
mamma" she said finally. ut is i'm
possible for papa to afford it now.'
Her mother tapped her pen medita-
lively against the inkstand 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 and make it look youthful enough
for a calling dress. Then you have
your white commencement dress
There's a small foundation, you see, tc
begin with"
Esther came over and sat on stool
by her mothers knee
II can't help wanting his people tc
think I'm nice-and for him to be proud
of me. You understand, don't you
motherkins?"
Mrs. Blake patted her on the back
and her eyes grew misty.
Eyes, yes, dearie, l understand per
fectly-but l also remember that Dick
loved my girl for herself-when she
didn't have half the pretty clothes the
other girls were able to afford. That's
the thing to keep in mind, little daugh
ter"
| FISHER kissed her imDulSively "Yo,