The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1912-12-13
THE BEST
4: PRESENT
Given at the Church Christ.
mas Gift Party
By cLARIssA MAcKIE

daughter Frances that she could not
marry the young minister because min
listers were p%roverbially 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. If
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 he
Just the right thing for Frances to do
under the circumstances.
or course everybody in Little River
knew about the minister's u~nsucceSS-
ful wuoing OF Frances Hegg. His at
tentions had been marked enough be-
fore Silas llesg put down his No. .
boot and declared IL veto OH the matri-
monial question. After that it was an
open secret that the reason Frank
BradI,erry looked so grave and SEEM
ed So, silent and ~preoccupied was be-
cause SiIas had said NO" Perhaps it
was ioquacious Mrs. aegg who con-
ided 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
us 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 Heggg.
Much Silas cared about their giances.
friendly or otherwise. He was sufh-
cient unto himself. The mere fact that
he did a thing made it right in his W
eyes.
So Frank Bradberry went away to a
ces .Heggg. 1t is needless to relate that
he succeeded no better than does any
one a2else under, :. such circumstances.
ForgetfuIness does not come ut COM
mand or by choice.
As for Frances. she continued to be
I 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
,ther events in Little River Silas Hegs
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 a
broken old man. derAnding 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
.all Of his former parishioners was at
last answered by his return.
There was much rejoicing in Little
River. and many social events were
planned. inahis honor. his return "a
shortly before Christmas. and "a
christmas party. each attendant to
bring a gift. was planned. to take
place at the parsonage. where Ann
Dibble. ,n ancient spinster. was await
ing his arrival. Ann was to be his
~hoMsekeeper until Little River folks
stopped when they got that far and
laughed s,lggestively. 1t was expected
that the Rev. Mr.. Bradberrv would
not he long in choosing . wife to pre-
side I'VE 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 Il 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 10 the nature OF q complete sur
prise. OF course Ann Dibble must
know about It in order to keep the
minister within doors and have a good.
hot fire ready.
"You cah count on him not going
out tonight" assured Ann Dibble to
anxious members Of the committee.
Hell stay put in this house e I have
10 nail his coattails to his chair!v'f
Fortunately snch drastic measures
were not necessary. for the very net of
returning to Little River had brought
up - many unpleasant memories that
Frank Rradberry was thankful for q
few uninterrupted hours IN his little
study. He was drending the meeting
With Frances Hegg: he was distressed
because be had not overcome his love
for her when be had prayed dnceasinR-
u to Be delivered Of its torments.
At the supper table Ann Dibble chat
tered necessarily Of events that had
tFanapired In little River during bis
Ga...-ll4 - 80 49, L.L..A - 49,