The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1912-12-06
THE MIRACLE:
A Surprise That Came lust
In the Nick of Time.
BY FAY ALLISON.

lCNeQ the uedT Oiu EeClOlgs WIN itH
shabby furniture; she had grown up
feeling that the beautiful gsay stone
church with the stained'glass windows
was part of the family possessions;
but. while these things helped make
the condition pleasanter, they did not
keep her from wanting the things thai
other girls had and to do the things
that other girls did.
Christmas after Christmas her lips
had quivered when she had received
from one to a dozen handsome Bibles
from the friends in her fathers con
grega ton. Her mother had a sense OF
humor, and when Esther on her TWEEN
tietb birthday received Bible No. 81
she laughed and told her daughter that
for Christmas she would buy her an
adjustable extension bookcase. There
seemed nothing else that she needed
quite so much.
The girls face seemed half divided
between a desire to laugh and to cry.
81 don't see why they think ! don't
want trinket occasionally-a fan,
bracelet or something a little bit friv
olous. mamma" she said. 81 have
nineteen Madonnas hanging In my
room, and | have received at various
times copy Of almost every religious
picture ever printed. OF course like
them, but wish could be considered
as a mere girl some time and not part
of St Johns church"
She had as little girl cheerfully
given up the dancing lessons that she
wanted She was never invited to card
parties because each ard every hostess
felt a tiny bit doubtful as to whether
ii would be suitable to extend such in
vitation to her
Even the dinner parties and ic,
cream festivals had failed TO be partic
ularly interesting 10 her. for II Their,
were curate or a theological student
among the guests she was sure to have
him assigned to her. As a Schoolgirl
she bad stolen furtive chances at th'
college boys who wore their hair Iona
and played football there was SOM
thing fascinating in the jolly way To,
laughed-and she had wished that be-
hostess would understand that sl.
would like occasionally the girliSh TN
volity OF eating philopcna with
football youth But they never did a.
derstand. and she continued to discus
with curates the last Sundays sermon
or new plan for decorating lh'
church next Easter.
There had however been one gorl
Gus period of freedom she had spenl
two years at boarding schopi hH,
played basketball as hilariOusly ~ an,
girl on the team. had eaten Welsh rah
bits. cooked at midnight behind coy
cred transomS and chinked doors viii
the same temerity shown by the Cir
who had lawyers or doctors for tn
theirs.
And. best OF all, she had heroine az
quainted with vivaciouS Elise Bonn
land. whose mother was French au,
whose father considered life worth ln
ing and the world jolly place g.
live in.
Contrary to the idea that like s,c.,
like. the two girls. so diiferrc' na
formed a fast friendship
When Dick Bourland. who practice
law in a city neighboring the S''huo
paid his weekly visits Ia his sister o..
pronounced demure little Esther Rla.
altogether charming. At the close %
school he told her so. and. iuding th'
she admitted having exactly the SAM
opinion Of him. he had taken the lnn
Journey to reach the little South Car
lima town and state the case To g.
rector
Dicks mother had upon the 400
nouncement OF. the engagements wrii
ten nice little note and invited ~
girl to come for visit that she migh
get acquainted with her future reia
tives.
The girl stood I'm The library by ia,
window watching the rain that IN,
been steadily pouring all the forenoon
puckering her forehead I'm anxious plan
nings OF the possibilities of the case
II really don't see how | can 90
mamma" she said finally 1T is i'm
possible for papa 10 afford II now"
Her mother tapped her pen medita
lively against the inkstand and tried
to help her plan
"You get your railway fare at hall
rate, you know my dear that helps
some-and you could alter my new gray
Grape and make it look youthful enough
for a calling dress Then you hav,
your white commencement dress
There's small foundation. you see. t.
begin with"
Esther came over and sat on a ston
by her mothers knee
81 can't help wanting his people L.
think I'm nice and for him to be proud
OF me. You understand. don't you
motherklns!"
Mrs. Blake patted her on the back
and her eyes grew misty.
ayes. yes. dearie. ! understand-but
I also remember that Dick loved my
girl for herself when she didn't have
half the pretty clothes the other girls
were able to afford That's the thing
to keep In mind. little daughter"
Esther kissed her imnulsively "You
are the hest kind " n comforter. moth