Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1909-04-08
tance which lay between her social DO

tance which lay between her social DO
sition and the poorhouse.
why, you poor SOUL" she cried sym
pathetically, show old you've grown
My hair amt begun to turn yet, an
here your'n is perfectly white"
ITS been long time since you and
were young" answered the old wo-
man gently. Then she colored with
sudden remembrance and drew herself
up stiflly.
els there anything can do for you? ?'
she asked
Come, Cynthia; don't talk that
way" demonstrated Mrs. Perry. "You
know farmers wives are always work.
In, an'-an' it's good piece from our
place TO the
"Poorhouse," said the old woman
calmly.
"Well, yes, poorhouse," deprecating.
ly But never mind all that. I've
brung the minister"
81 don't think I've had the pleasure
Of meeting Mrs. Bray before said the
minister, rising. "and yet I've called
here several times"
mo; we haven't met" acquiesced
the old woman. 81 generally stay In
the kitchen"
81 must acknowledge this visit is
mostly business one, Mrs. Bray" he
said, resuming his seat. "You see, !
am planning to have the church deco.
rated for Easter, but the ladies' of my
congregation assure me that such a
thing is utterly impossible. 1 have
come to you as last resort. Can you
help me?"
The old woman looked from one to
the other with a sudden yearning in
her eyes. Then soft flush began to
steal over her face.
'It isn't easy to decorate without
anything to decorate with" she said
tremulously. "In the city we used to
have palms and Easter lilies and no
end OF ferns and delicate things to
bank with"
But there are the woods" suggest.
cd the minister desperately. 81 notice
lots of pretty things on my walks"
do you mean for me to take charge
of the decoratingf" she asked.
It's Dul VI couFSe WIN plenty OF
help"
He turned hastily and glanced
through the window. Something rap.
turous in the expression on the old
woman's face made him lose command
of himself for moment.
"Well, shall need help in gathering
the decorations" she was saying as
hn fENrn hOo al
to cut and bring home and boxes and
boards to build up for the banking.
There are some bushes along the
creek that l can fix up to look very
much like palms at a little distance,
and that dark moss below the ledge
will make beautiful bank on which
we can arrange the early white flow.
ers.
But, there breaking into n low.
joyous laugh, which apparently fright.
ened her, for she stopped suddenly and
looked about in scared. tremulous
sort Of way
81 was only going to say" she went
on deprecatlngly. that l haven't seen
the church yet. l ought to 90 there
first and look around"
"Of course. We will take YOU there
this afternoon" volunteered the minis
ter, beaming.
And you can have my horse and
wagon every afternoon If you like"
added Mrs. Perry warmly Then
there is my boy Tommy. You can
have him to drive you"
The old woman's face was now ab.
solutely radiant.
She was not thinking Of the decora. !
ton now. hut Of the beautiful thing OF
not being forgotten. God is good to
have remembered me so lovingly"
The minister gazed at her moment, |
then turned again to the window. !
There will be no failure in the church
decoration" he remarked to Mrs. Per. |
ry.
Nor was there, nor In the beautiful /
thing that had come to the little old /
woman. During the decorating she |