Morris tribune., 1911-07-07

"She ought to have her home back"
said Mrs. Owen obstinately "Its
proved her father paid the money for
it. l must be going nOw," she contin-
ued, with side glance at the flowers.
You mustn't mind what l 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 a 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 a dozen
ways to earn living and failed in
each But she was a splendid house
keeper and formerly she had earned a
comfortable livelihood by taking
boarders in the rambling old house Of
hither and thither among the few
wage earners in the village. At pres
ent she was tending the bakery for
the Smiths.
ImOgen always looked forward to
Easter as a season of great joy, for
she loved the resurrection of the flow
ers from their wintry sleep, the new
clothing of the earth, the vague prom
Use of a 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 ap-
prOach of Eastertide, and it was not
herself but a 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 a little girl perched on a stool
behind the counter. 1t was the bakers
child
"Well. Edna, who's tending store
today?" 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 think
the lilies would Wither up under the
touch of your hands, you're so hard
hearted" said the child with the bru-
tai directness of her age.
ImOgen gasped and turned white.
"Well, l never" she gasped; Il never
did, Then she turned and fed from
the place.
Back in her own rooms, she looked
strangely at the lilies. Once she reach
white WaXen blossom. "It didn't with
err" she said eagerly. Il wonder what
| can do. Suppose l should touch one
tomorrow or Sunday and it should
turn brown! | never thought of that.
I suppose | am not fit: am not fit"
Miss ImOgen bowed her black head on
her hands and sat very still.
She was very busy the next two
days, and on the night before Easter
she sat in her sitting room with the
three Easter lilies ranged in a row be-
fore her.
IT'S no credit to me to give Huldah
Scott back her house again. That's her
me the most? Speak up, Imogen
MOrse"' she commanded herself.
The gate clicked, and Huldah Scott
ran up the path and knocked lightly
on the door. 'Come in said Imogen.
IT'S me, said Huldah breathlessly. !
Il just heard little Edna Smith tell
what she said to you the other day |
about the lilies whitening. I'm awful |
sorry, Imogen, but you mustn't mind. |
Folks say all sorts of mean things !
about
Imogen arose and placed her hands |
on Huldahs shoulders Il don't mind. |
Huldah,'' she said seriously. ''Im GLAD |
Of it, I always thought l knew what !
Easter meant, but | find | didn't real !
ize it meant the resurrecting of soul |
from sin as much as anything else,
and I've set myself a stint
What is it?'' asked Huldah.
"I'm not going to touch another ,
Easter lily until I'm satisfied I'm
cleansed of some of my sins said |
Imogen grimly. "All these !i'ies are .
FOR you, and the new plum colored suit, !
end your pace back Gnd all. It's no !
credit TO r..
Huldah took ImOgcn'S hand and !
closed it tightly around the largest. |
snoviest blossom of the Easter lily. |
col, i;@n12r, you are worthy now!' !