The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1912-04-19
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SINGER 81
A GREAT SERIAL STORY BIZ wv
MARTHA LII! !, B ]! L, !l . Nl

ing tcwaru go. with iron-gray hair
parted In the middle and drawn back
In an old.fashioned. pretty way.
II was 10 the credit OF Mrs. Stod-
dhrds breeding that she took no no.
tice OF Agatha's peculiar dress, un-
suited as II was 10 any place but the
bedroom, even In the morning. Mrs.
Stoddard herself was neat as a pin
In cotton gown made for utility, not
beauty. She stood for an instant with
her clear, untroubled gaze full upon
Agatha, then drew forward a chair
from its mathematical position against
the wall. When she spoke, her voice
was surprise, IL was SO low ana
deep, with a resonance like that OF
the cello. II was not the voice OF
young woman: II was, rather, rare
gift OF age, telling how beautiful an
old woman's speech could be. More
over. II carried refinement OF birth
and culture, beauty OF phrase and
enunciation, which would have mark
ed her with distinction anywhere.
How do you do, Miss Redmond"
Agatha, standing by the table with.
the cross, made no movement toward
the chair. She was not come face TO
face with Mrs. Stoddard for the pur-
pose OF social visitation, but because,
In the warfare OF life, she had been
sent to >the enemy with a message.
That, at least, was Agathas point OF
view. Officially, she was come TO
plead with Mrs. Stoddard; personally,
she was hot and resentful at her I'M
just words. Her reply to her hostess
greeting was brief and her attitude
unbending.
II have come to ask you, Mrs. Stod-
dard," Agatha began, though TO her
chagrin, she found her voice was un-
steady-"I have come personally TO
ask you, Mrs. Stoddard, II you will
help US in caring for our friend, who
is very i'll. Your brother, Doctor
Thayer, wishes II. II Is case OF life
and death, maybe; and skilful nursing
is difficult to find"
Agatha's hand, that rested on the
table, was trembling by the time she
finished her speech; she was wildly
conscious Of the panic that had come
upon her nerves at a fresh realiza-
ton OF the wall of defense and resist
ance which she was attempting to as
sail. Ii spoke to her from Mrs. Stod-
her serene, deep voice.
no. Miss Redmond, that work is
not for me-"
But please, Mrs Stoddard, will you
rot reconsider your decision? II Is
not for myself | ask, but for another
-one who is suffering"
Mrs. Stoddard's gaze went past
Agatha and rested on the white cross
with the inscription. Brother" She
slowly shook her head. saying again,
mo, that work is not for me. The
Lord does not call me there"
As the two women stood there, with
the funeral cross between them, each
with her hearts burden of griefs. con-
victions and resentments, each re-
coiled, sensitively, from the others
touch. But life and the burden life
imposes were too strong.
How can you say. Mrs. Stoddard,
that work is not for me-, when there
is suffering you can relieve, sickness
that yon can cure? am asking a
hard thing, | know: but we will help
TO make il as easy as possible for you,
and We are in great need"
should. the servants of the Lord
falter in doing His work." Mrs. Stod-
dard's voice intoned reverently, while
she looked at Agatha with her sincere
eyes. mo. He gives strength to per-
form His commands. But sickness
and sorrow and death are on every
hand: to some it is appointed for a
moments trial, TO others it is the
wages OF sin. We cannot alter the
Lords DEGREES"
Agatha stared at the rant sneaker