Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1909-09-09


was Mrs. Bright's suggestion. We
shall receive the bishop as we are.
We shall give him the best of what we
have and let the spirit OF our hos
pitality be the presiding genius. We
both wish for great things to come of
this visit, we have hung heavy hopes
upon it, but let us win whatever we
get naturally, Robert. Let us-let us
stand in our own Shoes" she ended,
abruptly.
The clergyman smiled and kissed
her once again.
The bishop arrived and was re-
ceived by two cordial young people,
who greeted him affectionately and
made him completely at home. With
in five minutes he was seated in
leather-cushioned Morris chair. The
furnishings were of the simplest and
most inexpensive, but there was an
air of comfort, of homeiness, about
everything that warmed the heart. The
Bishop, who was a portly old gentle
man with great mind and greater
heart, had accepted the manners and
habits of his exalted station, but he
was by nature of the simplest tastes.
Therefore, at the end of ten minutes
he beamed upon his hostess and made
that request which only his closest
intimates were given the privilege of
granting-he asked TO be given milk
toast for his supper.
How Mrs. Percival rejoiced that Jen-
ME Jones was safe at home at the
poor farm. Mrs Brights silver locked
securely away in a trunk upstairs, and
that the order for rented Haviland
china in courses, which Mrs Bright
had ofiiciously given in Mrs. Percivals
name, had been countermanded. And
how proud was the clergyman in hav
ing clever, sweet. home-making wife.
The bishop reflected seriously, when
he went to bed that night, upon the
subject of a coajutor. In its way, the
matter was as important to him as to
the clergyman. The bishops need
was an able assistant; the clergy
mans, the practical encouragement of
promotion.
IF this young man is as deep and
earnest as my short acquaintance leads
me to believe" he concluded, mentally,
IL don't see why he is not the very
man for the place. He is intellectual
-brainy; and he certainly has help
meet in HE wife. wonder If they
are always on such good terms with
each other" unused the willy bishop,
"or whether these are company man
ners" I'll have chance to judge
before | leave, no doubt" and the
bishop turned over and slept the sleep
of a quiet conscience and a good di-
gestion.
His chance to Judge came the follow
ing evening
The exercises at the convention
were long and somewhat arduous. The
bishop received an ovation, and the
afternoon reception was prolonged.
The rectory party arrived at home
with only a limited time in which to
prepare for and eat their supper be-
fore starting off again upon the even
ing's festivities.
They left the home in a flutter and
were two squares away before the alb
sent-minded clergyman clapped his
hand on his trousers pocket and ex-
claimed:
I've left the latch-key behind!"
Il have it, Robert, dear" said Mrs.
Percival, serenely. 1T was on the man
tel and l slipped it into my coat-pocket
while we were waiting for you"
Thanks. Hadn't you better let me
have it, dear?"
We'll, let me give it to you when
we get to the hall. | can't bear
to take my hands out of my muff now.
oh, how cold ii has grown, just since
this afternoon"
The key was completely forgotten by
all concerned 1t was close upon mid
night when the trio descended from
the last trolley car at the rectory cor
ner.
The feeling of dismay awakened by
slapping of his empty pockets was
succeeded quickly in the clergyman's
mind by the relieved thought that his
wife had the front-door key.
Connie, dear, let's have the key,
and III run up the path ahead and get
the door open for you. It's too cold
to stand about"
Mrs. Percival pulled set of reluc-
tant fingers out of the warm down Of
her muff and fumbled in her coat
pocket. A blank expression crossed
her face in the darkness.
Il don't seem to have ii. Robert,
dear. Didn't / give it to you? ] re-
member your asking for it,
NO, you said your hands were too
cold then. When we reached the hall
we forgot"
But put 1t in. I-it--let's see IL
it's in the other pocket"
She explored the depth of each
pocket; she took off her gloves and
searched again. No key was to be
found. The little party had mean
while entered the rectory gate and
walked slowly up the path to the
small, dark house. Perhaps we've
been careless for once and left a
window open, Robert"
Not likely said the clergyman
with imperturbable cheerfulness, but
| I'll have FRY Of nnurca MO mo co