The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1913-01-29

old-fashioned. pretty way.
II was to the credit OF Mrs. stod-
dards breeding that she took no no.
tice OF Agatha's peculiar dress, un-
suited as II was to 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 chair
from its mathematical position against
the wall. When she spoke, her voice
was a surprise, IL was so low and deep
with resonance like that Of the
cello. It was not the voice Of a young
woman II was, rather, rare gift Of
age, telling how beautiful an old wom-
ans speech could be. Moreover. II
carried refinement of birth and cub
ture, a beauty of phrase and enuncia-
ton, which would have marked 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 Agatha's point of
view. Oficially. she was come to plead
with Mrs. Stoddard personally. she
was hot and resentful at her unjust
words. Her reply to her hostess greet
ing was brief and her attitude unbend-
ing.
81 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, If you will
help us in caring for our friend, who
is ILL., Your brother, Doctor Thayer,
wishes it. 1t is a 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 realization
of the wall of defense and resistance
which she was attempting to assail.
1t spoke to her from Mrs. Stoddard's
calm, other-worldly eyes, from her
serene, deep voice.
mo, Miss Redmond, that work is
not for me-"
"But please, Mrs. Stoddard, will you
not reconsider your decision? 1t is
not for myself l 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,
convictions 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 you can cure? am asking hard
thing, | know; but we will help to
make it 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
perform his commands. But sickness
and sorrow and death are on every
hard; to some it is appointed for mo-
ment's trial, to others it is the wages
Of sin. We can not alter the Lords
DEGREES"
Agatha stared at the rapt speaker
with amazed eyes, and presently the
anger she had felt at Doctor Thayer's
words rose again within her breast,
doubly strong. The doctor had given
but feeble version of the judgment;
here was the real voice hurting anathe-
ma, as did the prophets of old. But
even as she listened, she gathered all
her force to combat this sword of
the spirit which had so suddenly risen
against her.
you are a hard and unjust woman,
to talk of the wages of SIM What
do you know of my life, or of him
who is sick over at the red house?
Who are you, to sit in judgment upon
us?"
II am the humblest of his servants"
replied Susan Stoddard, and there was
no shadow of hypocrisy in her tones.
She went on, almost sorrowfully:
"But we are sent to serve and obey.
Keep we separate and apart from the
of this world is his COM
and have no choice but
to obey. Besides" and she looked up
fearlessly into Agatha's face, 1--WE do
know about you 1t is spoken of by
all how you follow a wicked and
worldly profession. You can't touch