Morris tribune., 1912-12-27
THE BEST
PRESENT
Given at the Church Christ
mas Gift Party
By CLARlSSA MACKIE


listers were proverbially as poor as
church mice and always remained so,
Frances merely nodded her sunny head
and said. Yes father" in the Obedi.
ent manner she had been taught. Ii
she grew silent and sCrrowful looking
after that and was the first one to slip
out of church and prayer meeting
when the services were concluded. it
was universally acknowledged to be
just the right thing for Frances to dc
under the circumstances.
OF course everybody in Little River
knew about the minister's unsuccess
full woOing of Frances Hegg. His at
tentions had been marked enough be-
fore SiIas Hegg put down his No. 8
boot and declared Il veto. on the matri
monial question. After that it was an
open secret that the reason Frank
Bradberry looked so grave and seem
ed so silent and preoccupied was be-
cause Silas had said No" Perhaps il
was loQuacious Mrs. Hegg who con-
flded the secret to her nearest friend.
Certainly it was neither Frances nor
her unfortunate lover.
AS long as Frank remained in Little
River there was hope that Silas Hegg
might relent and perhaps that was
why Frances did not succumb to her
heartsickness. But when six months
had passed there was one dark Sun
day morning when he arose and read
his resignation to the disappointed con-
gregation. Several deacons turned and
looked open disapproval at Silas Hegg
as the author of this change, but when
they saw how white Frances face was
and how startled she was by the an
nouncement they turned face about
again, not neglecting to deliver last
blighting glance at Silas Hegg.
Much Silas cared about their glances.
friendly or otherwise. He was suff-
cient unto himself. The mere fact that
he did thing made it right in his own
eyes. '.'
So Frank Bradberry went away to a
distant state and tried to forget Fran
ces Hegg. 1t is needless to relate that
he succeeded no better than does any
one else under such circumstances
ForgetfuInesS does not come at com-
mand or by choice.
As for Frances, she continued to be
pale, quiet girl thereafter. quite un-
like the flushed and sparkling maiden
who had won the love of Frank Brad
berry.
A number OF things may happen
within the space Of four years. Among
pther events in Little River Silas Hegg
lost his wife. and, strange to say, the
man who was sufficient unto himself
found that his main prop in life was
gone. He Immediately became
broken old man. dernnding upon his
only daughter for sympathy in their
double sorrow. ~
Another thing that happened was
the return of Frank Bradberry to the
church in Little River. The persistent
call of his former parishioners was at
last answered by his return.
There was much rejoicing in Little
River. and many social events were
planned in his honor His return was
shortly before Christmas, and a
Christmas party. each attendant to
bring a git, was planned, to take
place at the parsonage, where Ann
Dibble, an ancient spinster. was await
ing his arrival. Ann was to be his
hOusekeeper until Little River folks
stopped when they got that far and
laughed sug~estiveIy. It was expected
that the Rev Mr. Bradberry would
not be long in choosing a wife to pre-
side over the pretty new parsonage
which had been built during his alb
sence in the west
No one seemed to think about Fran
ceS Hegg. She had developed into
such pale 'nonentity, and there were
other and younger girls from whom he
might choose. some of them blooming
and beautiful.
The minister was to arrive on the
morning before Christmas. and the
gift party was planned for that even
ing In the nature Of complete sur
prise. OF course Ann Dibble must
know about it in order to keep the
minister within doors and have good,
hot fire ready
"YOu can count on him not going
out tonight" assured Ann Dibble to
anxious members of the committee.
He'll stay put in this house If have
to nail his cOattails to his chairY'
Fortunately such drastic measures
were not necessary. for the very act of
returning to Little River had brought
up so many unpleasant memories that
Frank BradLerry was thankful for q
few uninterrupted hours in his little
study He was dreading the meeting
with Frances Hegg; he was distressed
because he bld not overcome his love
for her when he had prayed unceasing
~ to be delivered Of it's tOrments
At the supper tai bic Ann Dibble chat
tered necessarily OF events that haC
.transpired in Little River duriug his
absence. Thus Frank learned of Mrs