Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1911-04-11
don't see what he's got to do with


about the matter. First time ! ever
knew you was so sympathetic for HUI
dab Scott"
II can't help being sorry for her,
Imogen. You had nice home of your
own and enough TO live quiet on. and
the old place was all Huldah had.
You know the only thing she can do
to earn money Is 10 take boarders, and
now that her house Is gone she can't
do a thing. Most of her furniture is
stored In Deacon Browns barn and
she a-lving In those two little rooms
over the bakery a-trying 10 sew. poor
soul. and her hardly ever taking
needle in her hand, not being handy
that way No wonder she looks shah
by and old fashioned. But she's proud
as Lucifer and won't let anybody help
her by any ways"
$50 ] am to blame for that, am II"
demanded Imogen fiereely.
"She ought to have her home back"
said Mrs Owen obstinately. Its
proved her father paid the money for
1t, | must be going now" she contin-
ued, with side glance at the flowers.
''You mustn't mind what said about
Huldah Scott. | can't help feeling sor-
ry for her"
II expect everybody In town feels
the same way" challenged Imogen.
"They seem to feel sorry for her,
admitted Mrs. Owen. "Goodby, I'M
ogen. Come around and see me when
you can"
The subject of the lawsuit her father
had instituted against the meager es-
tate of old James Scott was sore one
for victorious Imogen Morse. Three
years had passed since Huldah had
been turned from her home. and in
that time she had tried half dozen
ways to earn living and failed In
each. But she was splendid house
keeper, and formerly she had earned a
comfortable livelihood by taking
boarders in the rambling old house of
her father Now she was knocked
hither and thither among the few
wage earners in the village. At pres
emit she was tending the bakery for
the Smiths.
Imogen always looked forward to
| Easter as season of great joy. for
| she loved the resurrection of the f1ow-
ers from their wintry sleep. the new
| clothing of the earth, the vague prom
ise of new life beyond this old one.
| All these things bore significance for
her.
| She impressed the story of the resur-
rection on her Sunday school class.
She found herself waxing eloquent as
| she compared the arising of the bless
ed Lord from his death sleep to the
awakening of the dormant plant life.
She was filed with Joy at the APP
proach of Eastertide. and it was not
herself but black shadow of her real
nature which had carelessly overlook
ed the wrong that had been done to
Huldah Scott
The next day would be Good Friday,
and Imogen resolved that she would
have some hot cross buns for her
breakfast, so after her dinner was
cleared away she walked down to the
bakery. The store was quite empty
save for little girl perched on stool
behind the counter. 1t was the bakers
child.
"Well. Edna, who's tending store
todayY' asked Imogen briskly.
Miss Huldah's tending store. She'll
be back in moment Have your lilies
withered up yet. Miss Imogen?" asked
the little girl eagerly.
"Withered up? What do you mean,
child?" demanded Miss Morse.
"Why, father said he should thinh
the lilies would wither up under the
touch of your hands, you're so hare
hearted" said the child. with the bru
tai directness of her age.
Imogen gasped and turned white
"we,l. l never" she gasped; II nevei
didr' Then she turned and fed from
the place.
Back In her own rooms, she looked
strangely at the lilies. Once she reach
ed forth a finger tip and touched tbs
white waxen blossom. 1T didn't with
err" she said eagerly. Il wonder wha
can do. Suppose should touch on'
tomorrow or Sunday and 1t should
turn brown! / never thought Of that
I suppose am not fit: am not fit?
Miss Imogen bowed her black head OF
her hands and sat very still
She was very busy the next TIVE
days, and on the night before Easte
she sat in her sitting room with tn
three Easter lilies ranged In row be
fore her.
: ITS no credit to me to give Huldal
Scott back her house again. That's be
own. What can l do that will hur
me the most? Speak up. Imogel
Morser' she commanded herself.
The gate clicked. and Huldah Scot
ran up the path and knocked light
on the door Come In" said Imoger
= Tts me-" said Huldah breathlessiJ
: IT just heard little Edna Smith te
what she said TO you the other da
about the lilies whitening. I'm awfr
sorry, Imogen, but you mustn't MIND
Folks say all sorts of mean thing
: about
Imogen arose and placed her hand
: on Huldah's shoulders. Il don't mint
Huldah," she said seriously. 'T'm gla
: Of it. always thought knew wha
: Easter meant, but find I didn't rea
!. lie 1t meant the restricting of a sol
from sin as much as anything els
\ and I've set myself stint"
! "What is it?' asked Huldah.
;. I'm not going to touch anoths
4 Easter lily until I'm satisfied II
r cieansed Of some Of my SINS" sal
Imogen grimly. "All these lilies al
n for you. and the new plum colored sui
Il and your place back and all. It's I
a credit to me-"
n Huldah took Imogen's hand ar
D. closed 1t tightly around the larges