The Holbrook news., 1910-04-22


 the Honorable! Less likely things have happened. I wished she'd remove her glove so that I might see if a fate full and tell-tale plain gold band encir- cIed a certain left-hand finger. But second glance at that pure girlish pro- file beside me somehow gave assurance that my fears in that respect were groundless.
 Perhaps a couple of minutes passed while tEe. ladies were settling them selves in their seats, Mrs. Callandar si: ting on the other side of Jessie Thus far, I was sure, the girl had no idea who she had for right-hand neighbor.
 Then, though keeping my eyes reso- lutely frontward, I was conscious that her head turned in my direction. I felt the red blood surging over neck and face, although I was so Drowned and tanned that I hoped it would es- cape notice. I glanced quickly and to my secret delight noted that Jessie's cheek and one tiny ear were coral pink. In that instant our eyes met. She had | recognized me! Yet her cool glance was of the kind usually accorded to q complete stranger, and Miss Callan- dar's outward composure might be de. scribed as glacial.
 The organ ceased its ,mellow prelude, the choir sang their opening piece" the minister delivered his brief invoca- ton, and then the congregation rose for the responsive reading. Calmly and coolly the girl found the place and of- fered me half of her book. Neither of us joined in the responses. Personally l was conscious of very | incenvenient dryness and tightening in my vocal apparatus. What Jessica felt | just then I have never been able 60 learn. However. I was doing a pile of thinking, and all the old feeling of re. sentiment at her injustice came over me again.
 Casting my eyes down the page saw, several paragraphs ahead, some words that I told myself were almost providential in their appositeness- from my point of view. In an instant I had evolved very pretty plot, for was resolved that, willy-nilly, Miss Jes- sica Callandar and I would have an ex- planation ere the day was many hours older.
 Clearing my throat and swallowing as the minister and congregation near ed the fateful lines, made my one and only response in a clear and deep bass voice:
 Judge not according to the appear ance,
 But judge righteous judgment"
 Then came the Gloria Patri, and we all sat down. Not by a single tremor of wrist or fingers did the girl betray the least sign that she had heard. After the notices were read, the ser mon-hymn was given out, and we rose to sing. As before I was offered the right-hand half of the hymn-book with the place already found Also as be- fore neither of us joined in, although the melody was very familiar one. I kept my eyes glued to the page. Two verses, three verses, went by, and choir and congregation entered on the last verse. I noted that the words were by Dr. Watts-good old Dr. Watts! Suddenly I was electrified by Jessica's beautifully clear and vibrant soprano joining in the first two lines:
 He that does one fault at first, And stoops to hide it, makes it two"
 She had given me my answer-a very pretty and appropriate retort from her viewpoint-paying me back in my own coin. But at least she had spoken,
 
 argue the battles half won if the mans cause be just. I was determined she should not enjoy her woman's privilege of the last word
 So all through the forty-minute ser mon I planned my little campaign. I believed dear old Mrs. Callandar would prove my ally, and unless Jessica had changed her name and condition dur ing my absence I promised myself I'd conquer.
 When the benediction was conclud- ed I offered my hand to the girl and her mother and spoke. The old lady was unfeignedly glad to see me; in- deed, she looked and said so. Jessica was more coy, but she did not freeze me altogether, for which small mercy was devoutly thankful. Indeed, my feelings might be likened to those of a bank clerk who wins out on a hun dred-to-one gamble a day or two be- fore the bank examiner comes around.
 In the most matter-of-fact manner possible I turned their way down the avenue that glorious May morning, holding to old acquaintances here and there. Yet were we both far enough from the maddlng crowd. Arrived at the Callandar house, Mrs. Callandar insisted on my remaining for lunch con. I looked at Jessica for my cue whether to accept or decline-but she persistently kept her eyes averted;