El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-07-20

a LTHOUGH this was her first Sun
~ day with his family. Helen knew
that the day was very strictly
observed. For years Warren's father
I had been on the board of trustees Of
| the - Methodist church. And it was
the custom for all the family to attend
| the morning services
It was half-past ten, and the church
bells had rung. Helen was all dressed,
and was drawing on her gloves, when
| her skirt caught on the edge of q rock
er and ripped a long length Of braid.
! 1t would take less time to sew back
/ the braid than to change the gown. She
ran down to his mothers room on the
floor below. She was tying on bonnet
| Curtis was brushing his silk hat
Mrs Curtis, have you any brown
thread, or black will do? I've ripped the
braid on this skirt
why, yes. Helen, but-but'-She
was glancing nervously at Mr.. Curtis.
I'VE do not allow any sewing in this
house on Sunday" He said it curtly-
without a word Helen left the room.
| She clenched her hands fiercely. How
narrow and bigoted, She felt that she
almost hated him. Even if he had not
wanted her TO sew, there were so many
less brutal ways he could have told her.
up Did 1 leave my gloves here? Why,
you haven't your things on yet. They're
waiting for US"
81 am not going" She said it quietly.
Not going?" sharply. Not going to
church?''
Then he saw her face, flushed and
tear-stained. why what's the matter?'
She told him. He tried to make light
of it. said his father had always been
Nho~ cha
must not be offended. But the words
rang meaningless in Ner ears. Her fierce
Indignation swept away everything but
the sense of her hurt.
And you will only make things
worse-much worse-by refusing to go
to church." he argued.
But she only repeated, Il am not go
ing. ] am not going"
Helen, this is the only Sunday we
will be here. Let's try TO get through
| ii without any more hard fleeing"
At length, reluctantly. she yielded. She
pinned up the torn braid and he helped
her on with her wraps. When they went
downstairs they found the house desert
ed. Everyone had gone.
Were almost half an hour late, Hell
en-. Father will be very much veXed- y
Always that same cry, she thought
bitterly-"to keep father from being
VeXedp The whole Family was IN a
state of subsection. With an effort she
forced back the words.
The sound of the organ reached them
before they entered the church.
THE second hymn" whispered War
rem anXiously.
He hurried her up the steps. The ush-
er led them down the aisle to the fam
, lily pew; it was the third from the front.
She felt his fathers cold. disappearing
glance as they were shown to their
seats
After the services the minister came
down and shook hands cordially with
his father and then turned to her. Il
am very glad to have you with us, Mrs
Curtis 1 hope you will come to feel
very much at home here
The feeling that Dr. Bradford's suave
interest was due to her being the
daughterinlaw of Mr.. Curtis gave Helen
wholly unreasonable sense of resent
ment She was glad when they es-
capped from the church.
1t was the family custom to have the
Sunday dinner at noon, and it was
served almost Immediately after they
reached the house.
We'll, mother, we had pretty good
sermon this morning" Mr. Curtis from