The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-11-05

gie's cakes we're sure to be the most
I delicious and the first sold. Did
beggar come to the door? There was
always food, clothing and word of
cheer for him. The clothing? Oh,
yes. Miss Maggie had no pride or SEM
blance thereof. She went, quite as a
matter of course, to richer house.
holds and begged frankly for cast off
clothing for her poor people," and she
got it and gave it, with a kindly In
junction, bit Of encouragement or a
quoted text, as need seemed to de-
mand. If it be true that Migrants
have their code carved and chalked
on doors and gates, certainly the gate
of their tiny yard must have been cut
to pieces or marked beyond need of
paint.
But peaceful years brought a grief
to these two. The pastor of their
church, beloved of them for 20 years.
died, and his widow moved elsewhere.
Replacing him, finally, after trials,
came the Rev. James Martin, elderly,
and, strange to. say, bachelor, for
a wife is more than wife to a min.
lister. She is necessity Of life, q
thing taken for granted. No one could
surmise why the Rev. Martin had new.
er married, though many tried. His
kindly manner his gentle helplessness
in things material and his deeply spir.
itual sermons quite won the hearts Of
the flock, and more brilliant aspirants
were forgotten in the general demand
for the gentle little man who taught
such sweetly comforting doctrines.
The Rev. Martin took up his abode
in the parsonage and found house
keeper. But somehow, the housekeep.
er. though jealous. and quite proud
Of her position, seemed to omit many
Of the little attentions that naturally
belonged to one ministering to the
needs Of man of God. There was
a certain shabbiness about the at.
tire Of the devout preacher, certain
gauntness of cheek and wilderness Of
slender hand that made these two
maiden ladies. especially, ache for his
welfare. They entered into council.
appealed to the heads of the church,
and finally it was arranged that the
parsonage should be let, and the min.
lister should live with Miss Mary and
Miss Maggie.
Here the little front parlor became
his study, past the door of which Miss
Maggie tiptoed, finger on lip, when the
doorbell rang. Nourished by Miss
Maggie's delicious tidbits, his clothes
kept in immaculate order by Miss
Mary's careful fingers, the pastor be-
came plumper, and developed tend.
ency toward the making of mild jokes
His improved garb seemed to give an
assurance he had lacked before, and
his sermons became not only consol.
alton for the elders and the weary, but
inspiration for the young and glow
ing. Miss Mary sang over her work
like canary, and Miss Masgie's Sc
we're garb became frilly at neck and
wrists and enlivened by bows of col.
ored ribbon. They bought flowers
and real magazines, went to picture
shows together now and then, and
laughed together like young school.
girls over their household tasks.
One day Miss Mary was fitting 4
froth of lace and silk over a bride-to-
be. The bride, before the glass, look
ed at herself, and then at the little
brown lady before her, on her knees.
The contrast woke something new in ,
the girls heart and she leaned over
and kissed Miss Mary's softly
wrinkled cheek.
Miss Mary looked up, startled for
an instant, and then comprehend
ing.
Il know last how you feel, dear
bless your l.eart! hope you'll be as
happy as We are always"
The little bride looked her wonder.
You see, Maggie and / have each !,
other, and we know what love u.s." said
Miss Mary, as il that settled the mat
ter, and in flash the little bride un-