The Press., 1910-12-21
Copyright, 1910. by American Pr
 Association.

dealing with the problems oHered Dy the stiff necked. rockbound members of his little flock. Then he said:
 "Neyertheless must adhere to my opinion that 1t is your duty to offer home to your cousin. Suppose you had lost your house and its contents by fire and the exposure to weather had brought on an attack of rheuma- tism which rendered you helpless. Would you want to be cared for by kind neighbors when relatively tue grace of God. Miss Appleby-had a roof over her head?
 ssMr. James. you know my house IS filled up with summer boarders, sald Ann Appleby in a strained voice.
 "Every roomY
 "Yes," said Ann firmly. I'm sleep ing in the clothespress myself"
 aCan't you let one of your boarders goP"
 "I can't spare the money"
 'srhen let your cousin have this room-you do not use it." ventured MT. James boldly.
 For a moment there was a silence fraught with horror; then Ann spoke:
 "This room! Why, this is my par lOry'
 The minister arose, and his tall form loomed near the ceiling of the room:
 "It's not your parlor, Miss Applehyi ifs Gods parlor, and it is his command that you prepare it for the occupancy of his handmaidep, Sarah Drew. am going to your cousin now, Shall tell her you have prepared room for her and that she will be welcome"
 "Yes." said Ann Appleby grtmly
 The rest of the afternoon Miss Alp pleby moved slowly about the parlor with reluctant feet. pushing the furnt' ture into stiff rows against the walls, unfolding one slippery sofa into springy couch. fresh with linen from some secret closet where homespun treasures were hidden in lavender.
 Perhaps no one could quite estimate the mental anguish that was occasion ed by these preparations. It was 9 violation of Ann's most sacred tradi- tions that the AppIeby house should be without a best room. About this gloomy apartment were centered recol- lections of joy and grief. Weddings and funerals and the minister's pres- ence at a ceremonial tea were the only events that marked the opening of the paFloF. The hoarders had the use of the large sitting room across the hall, and even as brief respite from the stress of long days work Ann would not have dreamed of withdrawing into the parlor's prim seclusion.
 And now it must be opened for the coming of Sarah Drew! It was to be used as sleeping room by an invalid. Sarah's medicine bottles would cumber the manteIpiece. and lint from the bed clothes would fleck the cherished caF- | pet But Ann found a certain savage l pleasure in leaving untouched the pic | lures and ornaments about the room Sarah Drew might occupy this room, but she would always uncomfortahly feel that she was violating the almost sacred precincts of her cousins home It must always be a parlor, and the occupant would be proportionately un comfortable. for Little River folk were not given to desecrating family altars
 When Sarah Drew hobbled into the room the next day her mild eyes opened wide with amazement.
 You're never going to put me ir here. Ann!' she gasped.
 "Why not?" queried Ann grimly twitching the washstand we'll into view and rattling the china bowl an6 pitcher. T guess you'll find every thing pretty comfortable. Sarah, Ii you don't just ring this here bell ant Emeline will wait on you.''
 "But I can't sleep here. Ann, qua vered her cousin tremuIously. "Why it's your best room. never slept il anybody's best room."
 "No more did r. returned Ann rathel tartly. But 'tisn't my room. Mr James says it belongs to the Lord 90 you see it's no credit to me tha you're occupying it.''
 "Oh.. did MT. James say that be fore you sould invite me? I'm dread ful sorry Ann. I wish l didn't have t come; but. you see. the house burned all down. and I didn't have a sticl left. and so came to Little River t stay with Mrs. Bell. and now all th children are down with the measles and there wasn't any place to go bu here. ain't got nothing till I collec my insurance money. I'll pay you'-
 Ann pushed her into a chair. and re moved the straight brimmed hat tha settled unbecomingly over Sarah nose.
 "Pay nothfngr' she snorted con A 0fsNpNc Sarah Drew. you can lay 1t all to tn fact that I never could find the can celed mortgage note on the place afte Uncle Abel died. Your place was lief free and clear. and I've had to pa Josiah Leeds $150 dollars a year ir terest. and I'm wore to skin and bon taking a pack of cit rerplp to bnarC Emeline with your supper, and after wards. when all these critters is fed I'll come and set with you."
 In the parlor. where the late after !- noon sunshine poured through the un shuttered windows. Sarah Drew sa in wretcheC silence, while Emelin' al padded heavily to and fro. arranging supper on the marble topped table She moved the glass bell and tn shell basket to one end of the tahl and spread a damask cloth. On it sh placed dish of creamed toast, fresl berries from the garden. ginger cook les and tea.
 When EmeIine had departed Saral came to the table and tried to eat. bu the coldness of the marble seemed t strike through the damask cloth an' chill her rheumatic limbs to the bone AS she slipped the tea from one Q Ann Appleby's fine china cups he mild eyes evaded the glances of tn stern visaged family portraits. T her nervously wrought fancy these ar