The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1909-04-14
lance which lay between her social DO

lance which lay between her social DO
sition n the poorhouse.
why, you poor SOUL" she cried SYN
pathetically. chow old you've grown
My hair amt begun to turn yet, an
here your'n is perfectly white"
Its been a long time since you ant
l were young" answered the old wo
a gently. Then she colored witt
sudden remembrance and drew herself
up stiff1y.
us there anything I can do for your
she asked.
"Come, Cynthia; don't talk that
way" demonstrated Mrs. Perry. 1You
know farmers wives are always work
In, an'-an' it's a good piece from our
place to the
"Poorhouse," said the old woman
calmly.
"Well, yes, poorhouse," d%eprecating-
~. "But never mind all that. I've
brung the minister"
II 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" acuuiesced
the old woman. II generally stay in
the Kitchen"
Il must acknowledge this visit is
mostly a business one, Mrs. Bray he
said, resuming his seat. "You see, l
am planning to have the church deco
rated for Easter, but the ladies Of nv
congregation assure me that such a
thing is utterly impossible. I have
come to you as a last resort. Can you
help me?'
The old woman looked from one to
the other with a sudden yearning in
her eyes. Then a soft flush began to
steal over her face.
1T isn't easy to decorate without
anything to decorate with,' she said
TREMENDOUSLY. I'm 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.
ed the minister desperately. II notice
lots OF pretty things on my walks.'
DO you lea for me to take charge
Of the decorating:" she asked.
Eyes. but Of course with plenty of
help"
He turned hastily and glanced |
through the window. Something rap
turous in the expression on the old
face made him lose command
OF himself for a moment.
swell, l shall need help in gathering |
the decorations" she was saying as
be turned back. There will be things
to cut and bring home and boxes and
boards to build up for the banking.
There are some bushes along the
creek that 1 can fix up to look very
much like palms at q little distance.
and that dark moss below the ledge
will make a beautiful bank on which
we can arrange the early white flow
ers.
"But, there" breaking into a low.
laugh, which apparently fright
ened her, for she stopped suddenly and
looked about in a scared, tremulous
sort Of way.
Il was only going to say" she went
IN deprecatingly, "that I haven't seen
he church yet. 1 ought to go there
irst and look around"
"Of course. We will take you there
his afternoon" volunteered the minis
beaming.
"And you can have my horse and
every afternoon If you like"
added Mrs. Perry warmly. 'Then
is my boy Tommy. You can
him to drive you"
The old woman's face was now alb
radiant.
She was not thinking of the decora-
ion now, but of the beautiful thing of
lot being forgotten. GOD is good to
remembered me so lovingly"
The minister gazed at her a moment.
hen turned again to the window.
There will be no failure in the church
he remarked to Mrs. Per-
Y.
Nor was there, nor in the beautiful
hing that had come to the little old
During the decorating she