The Washington herald., 1914-08-09
By MABEL HERBERT URNER

Just before church that anything un-
pleasant happened. Winitred, all dressed,
was drawing on her gloves when her
skirt caught on the edge of rocker
and ripped long length of braid. 1t
would take less time to sew back the
braid than to change the gown. She
ran down to Mrs. Martins room on the
floor below. Mrs. Martin was tying her
bonnet-strings before the mirror. and
Mr.. Martin was brushing his silk hat.
MRS. Martin, have you any brown
thread? I've ripped the braid on this
skirt"
why, yes, Winifred, but-but-"
She was glancing nerovusly at Mr.. Mar
tin. e..y.
1--WE do not allow any sewing in this
house on SundayP He said it curtIy.
Without a word she left the room. She
clenched her hands fercely. She knew
now that she hated him. If he had not
wanted her to seY. there were so many
less brutal ways he could have told her.
Oh, how she hated himI
A few moments later George came up.
did l leave my gloves here? Why,
Winifred, you haven't your things on
yeti They are waiting for US"
Il am not going" she said quietly.
mot going? Not going to church,"
Then he saw her face, flushed and
tear-stained. "Winifred! What is it,
dear."
She told him. He tried to comfort
her, said his father had always been
strict about such things, that she must
not be offended. But the words rang
meaningless in her ears. She forgot
her brave resolution of yesterday; her
fierce indignation swept away every
thing but the sense OF her hurt.
And don't you see, dear. you will
only make things much worse BY refuS-
ing to go to church,
But she only repeated: Y am not go
ing. am not going"
For my sake, then. Winifred This
may be the only Sunday we will be here.
Let US try to get through it without any
more hard feeling"
At length, reluctantly, she yielded. She
pinned up the torn braid, and he helped
her on with her wraps. When they
went downstairs they found the house
deserted. Everyone had gone.
Were almost half an hour late, VIM
fired. l am afraid father will be very
much vexed."
The sound of the organ reached them
before they entered the church.
The second hyrnn! whispered
George anxiously.
He hurried her up the steps. The
usher led them down the aisle to the
family pew; it was the third from the
front. She felt his fathers cold, dis
glance as they passed in to
their seats.
After the service the pastor came d.
rect to their pew and shook hands warm
ly with Mr.. Martin. Others of the con-
gregation gathered about. AS the church
treasurer, Mr.. Martin had, during the
past week, issued an annual statement
of their finances. They were congrstu-
lating him now on the successful man
agement of the funds. He was plainly
in his element, bowling and smiling gen.
tally. Mrs. Martin, standing timidly
by his side, was sharing in his reflected
glory. The rest of the family waited
while he held his court.
He hade no attempt to introduce Win
fired. When at last he moved down the
aisle and they were allowed to file out
Of the pew, the pastor greeted George.
I'VE do not see you very often, now"
mo, I don't get home more than
about twice a year. Doctor Bradford,
let me introduce my wife"
Il am very glad to have you with US,
Mrs. Martin. I hope you will come to
feel very much at home here. l be-
Lieve this is your first visit to Harris
burg"
The feeling that the minister's suave
interest was due to her being the daugh-
ter-in-law OF Mr.. Martin gave Winifred
4 wholly unreasonable sense of resent |
nent. She was glad when they escaped |
from the church.
1t was the family custom to have the
Sunday dinner at noon, and it was serv-
ID almost Immediately after they reach
ID the house.
well, mother, we had pretty good
sermon this morning" Mr.. Martin from
he head of the table beamed conde-
'cendingly around on the family.
What did you think Of it, George"
George murmured some praise to
which his father did not trouble to
listen.
yes, on the whole, Dr. Bradford is
! good all-round minister. At confer
nee this fall some of them thought we
,ught to get younger man, but I stood
or DR.. Bradford. And l guess they
zee now that / was about right. 1t isn't