The Rice belt journal. (Welsh, Calcasieu Parish, La.) 1900-19??, 1913-11-28

W. IVA WV SEP'I
the choir loft had reminded him of i'll
and Mrs. Jefferson was tanning him.
as If he were never to be grown I
man. Mrs. Gregory sat near the
group, silently embroidering in white
silk. Fran had hastily thrown herself
upon the stairway, and, with half |
closed eyes, looked as if she had been
there a long time.
Fran said Mrs. Gregory coidiy.
you left the choir practice before We
were two-thirds done. OF course I
could hardly expect you"--he looked
at his, wife-"to stay, although your
presence would certainly have kept
Fran there; and it does look as If
we should be willing to resort to any
expedient to keep her there!"
How would a lock and chain do?"
Fran inquired meekly.
Il don't think she came straight
home, either" remarked Grace Noir
significantly. did you, Franz"
Miss Noir," said Fran, smiling at
her through the banister-slats. you
are so satisfactory; You always say
just about what expect. Yes, I came
straight home I'm glad It's your bust
ness, so you could ask"
Hamilton Gregory turned to his
wife again. with restraint more
marked. Next Sunday is roll-call day,
Mrs. Gregory. The board has decided
to revise the lists. We've been carry
ing so many names that it's burden
to the church. The world reproaches
us, saying, Isn't So-and-so member
He never attends, does hep | do
hope you will go next Sunday"
Mrs. Gregory looked down at her
work thoughtfully, then said. Mother
would be left"
Its just this way" her husband In
terposed abruptly: IF no excuses. such
as sickness, are sent, and II the people
haven't been coming for months, and
don't intend coming. we are simply
determined to drop the names-strike
! 'em out. We believe church members
should show where they stand. And
and II you--"
| Mrs. Gregory looked up quietly
| Her voice seemed woven OF the sill
threads she was stitching In the white
pattern. "If / am not member o
the church, sitting an hour in thu
building couldn't make me one"
4 Simon Jefferson cried out, as tina
| my sister Lucy? Blessed II though
she had SO much SPIRIT"
DO you call that spirit?" retarne'
Gregory, with displeasure.
Well" snorted Simon, what d
you call 1t. then?"
Perhaps" responded Gregory. wit
marked disapprobation, perhaps
was spirit"
Grace, still attired for the stree
looked down upon Mrs. Gregory as
turned to stone. Her beautiful fac
expressed something like a horror q
the others irreverence.
Fran shook back her hair, an
watched with cleaning eyes from D.
! hind the stats. not unlike sma
wild creature peering from its cage.
, aOh," cried Fran. miss Noir fee
D SO bad!"
Grace swept from the hall, he
!. rounded figure instinct with the SUITE
). ings of martyr.
: Fran murmured, THAT killed her!
4 "And you!" cried Gregory. turnir
q suddenly in blind anger upon II
other-"you don't care whose hea
g you break"
~ haven't any power over hearts
!. retorted Fran, gripping her fingers q
her hands were little white balls. y
IL only had! I'd get at 'em II
could--like this
She leaped to her feet.
Am | always to be defied by you
( he exclaimed; zig there to be no 81
I to it? But suppose | put an enc
! it myself-tell yeu that this ID
: place for you =,
! "You shall never say that. Nj
! Gregory spoke up, distinctly, but .
| in his loud tones. She dropped q
/ work in some agitation, and drew TT
/ TO her heart. 81 have friend me-
| | Hamilton-one friend-and she mt
! stay" ~
: "Don't be uneasy, dear one TT
n looked up lovingly into the frighten
= face "He won't tell me to go.
won't put an end to 1t. He wont
me anything
Listen to me. Lucy" said Grego
his tone altering. ''yes. she must 81
that's settled-she must stay.
course. But you--why will you ref'
what ask, when for years you w
ona Of the most faithful attenda
" ~ the Walnut Street church!
asking you to go next Sunday oec ca
ce veil you know how people Jul
~ nv appearances, I'm not asking
ed for nv sake-of course know y
". real character--but go for y
M Grace's sake--go to snow ner WI
ad you stand" .....
nd s"How is 1t about church at.enoal
a N. :