Smyrna times., 1913-01-15
THE BEST
PRESENT
Given at the Church Christ.
mas Gift Party
By cLhRISSA MAcKIR


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, ''Yes, 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, II
was universally acknowledged to be
just the right thing for Frances to dc
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. 8
boot and declared a veto on the matrl.
mOnial question. After that it 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 ii
was loquacious Mrs. Hegg who con-
fided 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
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 a last
blighting glance at Silas Hegg.
Much Silas cared about their glances,
friendly or otherwise. He was sufi-
cient unto himself. The mere fact that
he did a thing made it right in his own
eyes.
So Frank Bradberry went away to a
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 his main prop in life was
| gone. He Immediately became 9
broken old man, deTAnding upon his
only daughter for sympathy in theiI
double sorrow.
Another thing that happened was
the return of Frank Bradberry to the
church in Little River. The persistent
call of his former parishioners was a
last answered by mis- return.
There was much rejoicing in Little
River. and many social events wer'
planned In his honor. His return wa'
shortly before Christmas. and ;
Christmas party. each attendant t.
bring a gift. was planned, to taxi
place at the parsonage. where AM
Dibble, an ancient spinster. was await
ing his arrival. Ann was to be hi
housekeeper until Little River folk
stopped when they got that far ant
laughed suggestively. 1t was expecte'
that the Rev. Mr.. Bradberry woul'
not be long in choosing a wife to pre-
side over the pretty new parsOnag
which had been built during his ali
sence In the west.
No one seemed to think about Fran
ces Hegg. She had developed int
such pale nonentity. and there wer
other and younger girls from whom b
might choose, some Of them bloomin
and beautiful.
The minister was to arrive on tn
morning before Christmas. and tn
gift party was planned for that ever
ing I'D tue udtuTe VI SOthpiC1C SUI
Drise. OF course Ann Dibble mus
; know about it in order to keep th
minister within doors and have gooC
hot fire ready.
"You can count on him not goin
out tonight" assured Ann Dibble
anxious members of the committe'
Hell stay put in this house If l hav
to nail his coattails TO his chair!'
Fortunately such drastic measure
were not necessary. for the very act {
returning to Little River had brougl
up so many unpleasant memories th'
Frank Bradberry was thankful for
few uninterrupted hours in his litt
study. He was dreading the meetir
with Frances Hegg: he was distresse
because he had not overcome his 10y
for her when he had prayed nnceasin
ly to be delivered Of its torments.
At the supper table Ann DibbIe cha
tered necessarily of events that hi
transpired In Little River during b
absence. Thus Frank learned OF Nj
Hegg's death along with other iten