The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1912-12-19
THE BEST
PRESENT
Given at the Church Christ.
mas Gift Party
By CLtRiSSA MACKIE

Z By cLhRiSSA MACKIE I
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Il When Siles Hegg told his pretty
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, Eyes, father" in the obedi-
ent manner she had been taught. II
she grew silent and sorrowful looking
after that and was the first one to slip
out of 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. y
boot and declared q veto on the matri-
monial question. After that 1t was an
open secret that the reason Frank
Bradberry looked so grave and SEEM
ed so silent and preoccupied was be-
cause Silas had said No" Perhaps it
was loquacious Mrs. Hegg who con-
dded the secret to her nearest friend.
Certainly 1t 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
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 last
blighting glance at Silas Hegg.
Much Silas cared about their glances.
friendly or otherwise. He was suffi-
Gent unto himself. The mere fact that
he did 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 un-
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 bis main prop in life was
gone. He Immediately became a
broken old man. DEF ending upon his
only daughter for sympathy in their
double sorrow. -------.---
Another 4a1ng mat happened was
the return Of Frank Bradberry to the
church In Little River. The persistent
call Of his former parishioners was at
last answered by his return.
There was much rejoicing in Little
River. and many social events were
k1ic 1i,
shortly before Christmas. and a
Christmas party, each attendant to
bring a gift. was planned. to take
place at the parsonage, where Ann
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 and
laughed suggestively. 1t was expected
that the Rev. Mr.. Bradberry. would
not be long In choosing a wife to pre-
aide 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 into
such 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 In the nature Of complete sur
prise. OF course Ann Dibble must
know about it In order to keep the
minister within doors and have good.
hot fire ready.
"You can count on him not going
out tonight" assured Ann Dibble to
anxious members of the committee.
Hell stay put in this house if ! have
to nail his coattails to his chair
Fortunately such drastic measures
were not necessary. for the very act of
returning to Little River had brought
up SO many unpleasant memories that
Frank Bradberry was thankful for a
study. He was dreading the meeting
with Frances Hegg; be was distressed
because he had not overcome his love
for her when he had prayed increasing
~ to be delivered Of its torments.
At the supper table Ann Dibble chat
tered necessarily of events that had
transpired in Little River during his
absence Thus Frank learned of Mrs
Hegg's death along with other items
of news.
He wondered if the loss of his wife
had softened the hard heart Of Silas
Hegg.
He was to learn that fact this very
night.
From the standpoint of complete
surprise the Christmas gift party was
q successful the parishioners came
laden with eatables of every descrip-
don and some brought substantial