Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-05-01


YES"
"And you got matineeT" she ex-
claimed incredulousiy.
1--WE have services" he corrected,
gently.
I'VE rest up on Sundays" she said
In tone OF deep commiseration.
"Oh. L see" he answered. feeling Il
no time to enter upon another discus
sion as TO the comparative advantages
of their two professions.
what are you goin' TO spiel about
todayY'
about Ruth aud Naomi"
Ruth and who?"
Naomi" he repeated
Naomi" she echoed. fitting her head
from side 10 side as she listened TO
the soft cadences OF the word Il new
er heard that name before. IL I'D look
awful swell on a billboard. wouldn't
itT''
ITS a Bible name. honey" Mandy
said, eager - get into the CONVERSE
ton. Oars buful picture bout her
seed IT"
81 like TO look at pictures" Polly an
swered tentatively. Mandy crossed the
room TO fetch the large Bible with its
steel engravings.
ave got a girl namedrRuth IN our
leap or death stunt Some of the
folks is kinder down on 'er, but
amt"
She might have told Douglas more
OF her forlorn little friend. but Just
then Mandy came TO the bed hugging
a large. old fashioned Bible. and Doug
Las helped 20 place the ponderous book
before the invalid
''See. honey, dar dey is" the old wo-
man said. pointing to the picture OF
Ruth and Naomi
''Them's crackerjacks. amt tbey?"
Polly gasped. and her eyes shone with
wonder which ones Ruth?"
dis one" said Mandy. pointing with
her thumb.
why. they're dressed Just like our
chariot drivers. What does Il say about
emp"
You can read II for yourself" Doug
las answered gently. There was some
thing pathetic In the eagerness OF the
starved little mind
''Well. ] amt much on readin'-our
loud" she faItered. growing suddenly
conscious OF her deficiencies. Read Il
for me. will you?'
Certainly" And he drew his chair
nearer 10 the bed. one strong hand
supported the other half OF the Bible
and his head wa- very near TO hers as
his deep. full voice pronounced the sol
emn words IN which Ruth pleaded SO
many years before.
'Entreat me not 20 leave thee" he
read. "'or 10 return from following
after thee. for whittier thou goest will
40. and where thou lodgest will lodge
Thy people shall be my people and thy
God my Cod"
He stopped TO ponder over the poetry
OF the lines
kind OF pretty. amt itY' Polly said
softly. She felt awkward and con-
strained and a little overawed.
There are far more beautiful things
than that" Douglas assured her en-
Enthusiastically as the echo OF many
such rang In his ears.
There arer' And her eyes opened
wide with wonder.
es. indeed, he replied, plying
more and more the starvation or mine
and longing TO bring TO It floods OF
light and enrichment
Il guess I'd like to hear you spiel"
and she fell to studying him solemly.
'You wOuidr" he asked eagerly.
rs there any more TO that story
she asked, ignoring his question
yes. indeed"
Would you read me a little morer'
She was very humble now.
Where thou diest VIII die, and
there will be buried. The Lord do so
TO me. and more also, IL aught but
death part me and thee"
Their eyes met There was q long
pause. Suddenly the sharp, sweet
notes of the church bell brought John
Douglas TO his feet with q start OF
surprise
Have you got to goY' Polly asked
regretfully.
Yes. 1 must. but I'll read the rest
from the church. Open the window,
MandyT And he passed out OF the
door and quickly down the stairs