Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-11-25

WINCH 0ifoS hcSS tOfu MS piStts
daughter Frances that she could not
marry the young minister because min
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. IL
she grew silent and sorrowful looking
after that and was the first one to slip
out 81 church and prayer meeting
when the services were concluded, 1t
was universally acknowledged to be
just the right thing for Frances to do
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 Silas Hegg put down his No. 8
boot and declared veto on the matrl-
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-
sause SilAs had said No" Perhaps it
was loquacious Mrs. Hegg who con-
fided 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 deaoons 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 a last
blighting glance at Silas Hegg.
Much Silas cared about their glances,
friendly or otherwise. He was sum
Gent unto himself. The mere fact that
he did a thing made it right in his own
eyes
So Frank Bradberry went away to q
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
Forgetfulness does not come at com
mand or by choice.
As for Frances, she continued to be
a pale. quiet girl thereafter, quite IN
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
other 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 8
broken old man, demanding upon his
only daughter for sympathy In thelI
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 al
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 &
Christmas party, each attendant tC
bring a gift. was planned. to take
place at the parsonage, where Anr
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 anC
laughed suggestively. 1t 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 int
such pale nonentity. and there wer,
other and younger girls from whom ht
might choose. some of them blooming
and beautiful.
The minister was to arrive on thu
morning before Christmas, and the
gift party was planned for that even
ing In the nature of a complete sur
pIlSc- VI COuTSc AuD DlDUle mus
know about II In order to keep the
minister within doors and have a good
hot fire ready.
you can count on him not goin,
out tonight" assured Ann Dibble t.
anxious members Of the committee
Hell stay put in this house If hav,
to nail his coattails to his chairr'
Fortunately such drastic measures
were not necessary, for the very act o
returning to Little River had brough
up so many unpleasant memories tina
Frank Bradberry was thankful for
few uninterrupted hours in his littl
study. He was dreading the meetini
with Frances Hegg; he was distressed
because he had not overcome his low
for her when he had prayed unceasing
ly to be delivered Of its torments.
At the supper table Ann Dibble chat
tered necessarily of events that hat
TRANSFERRED in Little River during hi
absence. Thus Frank learned of Mrs
Hegg's death along with other item
of news.
He wondered II the loss of his wifi
had softened the hard heart of SiIa
Hegg.