Morris tribune., 1912-12-27
He was to learn that ract this very


night.
From the standpoint of a complete
surprise the Christmas gifr party was
successful the pariShionerS came
laden with eatahies Of every descrip
ton and some brought substantial
sums of money as Il contribution to
their favorite minister Even people
from other churches in the village
came and brought gift, for Frank
Bradberry was we'll liked all over.
1t was very pleasant to he so we'll
remembered, to be so heartily greeted.
to realize that he was really beloved
5y these people And yet. as he stood
there among the familiar faces. there
was an aching tug at the ministers
heart He was longing for a sight of
Frances fair. sweet face. and yet he
knew she would not be there. If his
instinct had warned him thus. a con
verSation he had overheard only EN-
phasiZed that knowledge.
Have the HeSGS Gomez" Ann Dib
BILE had asked Mrs. Deacon Fremont
In a stage whisper
Laws. no, Ann! don't expect they
will. either" returned Mrs. Fremont,
why not: Silas always brought
something at donation parties He
sent five bushels Of potaters to the last
one we had ';s ~.
''He won't now. Ann said Mrs. FIRE.
mont. lowering her voice, because pa
1aI nj bo oT7J6 6ptk
send potater.'
Maybe he'll send something else
Potatoes amt been very good this
year anyway" retorted the optimistic
Ann.
Maybe he won't should think
you'd remember another reason than
that" Mrs. Fremont spoke mysten-
,usly.
"Oh. l see. Well, would be sur
prised if they did come, but should
have thought Silas would have sent
something"
Hes getting queer since Martha
died"
Getting queer?" shifted Ann Dibble
He's always been as queer as Dicks
hatband" They say he's acted more
human since she died"
He wasn't never real cruel. Ann.
BE was only severe: l expect he only
thought he was doing the best by Fran
ces when
Good land!' Ann Dibble jumped
nervously as the minister's tall form
brushed past them with hurried apol
ogy. WAS that him standing there
back of us?''
"It must have been," acknowledged
The chagrined Mrs. Fremont. Some
how got the notion it was foolish
Peter Wood"
81 hope he won't take no offense at
what we said," worried Ann Dibble,
'Twan't anything bad" she added
about SiIas Hegg once in awhile" y
"And Frances, too," reminded Mrs.
Fremont in self extenuation of her
mention Of the girls name. ....
Contrary to everybody's expecta tons.
Sflas Hegg did appear, at the Christ,
mas party. He came all alone, and
be did not go at once to the minister
and offer his greetings. Instead he lin.
gered as long as possible, chatting here
md there in a subdued sort of way.
quite different from his former aggres-
sive attitude. The young minister saw
him in the distance, and his heart con
racted with pain. He wondered if
Frances had come, too, and he found
himself peering over the heads of the
people for glimpse of the girls fair
face.
1t was not to be seen. ...--..
Then jealousy slnote him. He won
iered if Frances Hegg had grown tired
IF waiting for him. He wondered il
somebody else had succeeded him in
1er affections and then he scored him
self severely for doubling her at all.
At last SiIas Hegg met him face tt
face and could no longer avoid speak
ing to him. Frank Bradberry's face
was grave and pale as he shook hands
pang Of sympathy at the mans grea
grief over the loss Of his wife, Martha
Somehow since Martha died TvC
learned lots of things, Mr.. Bradberry,
said Silas meekIy. II used to ,thinl
that money was everything, but l'v'
found it amt. I've found I'm pretty
unhappy man without my wife, ever
If I've got a comfortable balance il
the bank
The minister did not find it difficult
TO speak words of comfort to Frances
stricken father When they parted ;
new understanding had sprung up be
tween them.
IL amt brought gift with me. MIR
Bradberry" said SilaS rs be turned
away to permit sofI!e of the compan!
10 take their farewe!s of the minister
for the hour was late but I'm gOin;
to stay awhile, and maybe you'll wall
over to my house and get it,"
Certainly" said the clergyman
thinking of Il basket Of choice apple
Or grapes. of which fruits Silas hat
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