The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1917-08-02
Observation-Disclosures,
ELDERS TOP BUTTON
BY LESTER THOMAS.
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little brown house at the foot Of the
hill. Miss Faith conducted a Gontrel
home bakery. Here the Ladies' AID So
cicty met at stated Intervals. and The
local Temperance union held it, MONTH
ly rallies.
Grace had stopped at the house on
her walk up from the village To- make
her usual oUtburSt against fate and
also 10 buy some of Miss Faiths
whipped cream cake 70 take home -
the colonel.
Il think it's perfectly terrible" she
said. for the elder to deal in horses.
| know perfectly well that last Sunday
after church he told young Lem Rob-
bins that he'd buy that sorryl mare Of
his, ana inside Of two days he'd sold
her to old Mrs. Newell and made So.
It isn't respectable. Dad says that If
he wants To be a horse trader h. had
better give W his job as elder. What
DO you think. Miss Faith?"
"Weu. l don't know" she answered.
al don't think he had any right to
trade on the Lords day. Horse swap
ping always did seem to me kind Of
grOwn-up boys play. He's II real good
man, and there amt nothing against
him that know Of. The only thing is,
ever since he was a boy he's done just
as he pleased, and nobody 10 say him
nay. It's good for every one to obey,
more or less"
Did you know him whom he was a
bOy?" asked Grace eagerly. DAD says
he was awfully gOod-loOking. Even
now, think he is, with that iron-Gray,
curly hair, and the brown eyes with
twinkle in them. It's queer he's never
married. Do you believe what they
say about him and Lillah ThompSon?"
81 don't listen to gossip" answered
Miss Faith, delicately, but, all the
same after Grace had gone away with
her cream cake she thought of what
she had said.
Faith stopped cooking as the front
ioOrbell tinkled lightly announcing u
customer in her tiny shop. Before
answering this summons she put on
white apron and pinned up few
curlS which cooking over the fire had
1isarranged.
It was David Dressed in his suit
Of corduroys, high brown shoes laced
to his knees, and a brown SLOUGH hat,
he looked more like the boy she had
known than the elder of Bethany
church.
1--WE been fishing" he said. "Would
you accept a fine string Of pickerel,
Miss Faith?"
Faith looked at him from head to
foot with manifest disapprOval in her
brown eyes. His hat needed brushing,
his clothes were worn and dusty, and
Ing. He sat down on the edge of the
counter. leaning toward her on the
other side, and, somehow, he found
himself telling his troubles. He had
gone fishing in such a garb deliberate
~, with malice afOrethOught. meaning
to shock WalpOle Center out of its
Snug little notions. And, all at once,
the fiat truth came out.
do you know" he asked, that the
church committee called a meeting
| this afternoon about me"
whats the meeting fOr?" she asked.
isn't IT about Lillah and you, or just
the horse trading?"
"Tillah and me?" he repeated in
] Loft Nofs
| You don't mean that?" He caught at
her wrist and g1pped it hard. you
| don't think I'm that sort, do you?
Have you forgotten, Faith? I've only
asked you about twenty times to mar
ry me. You've always said no. Now
don't care what happens! If they
put me out of the church, I'll 90 away.
believe in freedom, first of ALL"
| Faiths eyes filed with sudden tears.
She turned on him with one of her
rare bursts Of anger.
"Yes," she repeated. "You believe
/ in freedom, no matter how Ii hurts
yourself and those who love you best.
refused you fifteen years ago, Dave,
because you were wild. and you took
revenge on me by getting religion and
Joining the church. Have they got
anything special against you"
"Oniy that someone saw Lillah sew
button on my coat one day. Fearful
evidence, isn't itT'
Faith glanced out Of the window.
Along the road leading to the village
came several women. The minister's
wife was leading and they all headed
! for the little home bakery, to call for
Faith on their way to the church
meeting.
Quick as flash, she went back into
her sitting room, and returned with a
little silk sewing bag.
Don't you dare move, Dave" she
said. and as the delegation entered
Miss Butterick was very busy sewing
on the elders top button.
David and l are just planning
about getting married." she said pleas
antly. and the minister's wife caught
her breath and congratulated them
both.
Most likely" she said, knowingly
"there won't be any meeting-nOw."
When they were alone Faith spoke
first. her face pink to her ears.
,,-ne he npIy- tbipg 7 could dn