Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-04-14
CHAPTER x1x-(continued.,

z
why. 1 was just going to church,"
she said, half %hesitating. and then
smiling bravely up at him: besides,
I have a Sunday school class. I
couldn't very we'll leave them, you
know"
He looked at her for a moment
thoughtfully. trying to bridge In his
thoughts this difference between
them: Then he said quite humbly.
will you take me with you?"
ITO church " she asked, and there
wassa glad ring in her voice. Would
he really go to church with her?
Yes, and. TO- Sunday school IL L
may. I haven't been to Sunday school
in years. I'd like to 90 il you'll only
let me-"
Her cheeks grew rosy. : She had a
quick mental picture Of putting him
In Deacon Pettigrew's bible class.
you would enjoy" she began with a
troubled look. Its only a little
country church, you know. They
don't have all the modern system, and
very few teachers"
II should enjoy going into your
class very much if / might"
"Oh, mine are just boys. just little
boys like Harley" said Shirley.
aghast. ~
"I've been a little boy once, you
know. I should enjoy it very much"
said the applicant with satisfaction.
"Oh, butt couldn't teach you!"
There was dismay in her voice.
Couldn't you, though? You've
taught me more in the few months
I've known you than I've learned in
that many years from others Try
me. I'll be very good. TIL be a boy
with the rest Of them, and you can
Sy,cf f0~~a$ Ys~e <L@~@ ~~l 800 ~L>>S r
really am serious about it. I want to
hear what you have to say to them"
"Oh, I couldn't. teach with you
there!" exclaimed Shirley, putting her
hands on her hot cheeks and looking
like a frightened little child. Indeed
I couldn't, really. I'm not much Of a
teacher. I'm only a beginner. I
shouldn't know how to talk before any
but children"
He watched her silently for min
ute, his lace grave with usefulness.
Why do you teach them?" he ask
ed rather i~rrelevantly.
s"Because-why, because I want to
help them to live right lives: I want
to teach them how 10 know God"
"Why?" rs -
$50 that they will be saved. Be-
cause it was Christ's command that
His disciples should give the message.
! ii I14o N10N4PlC, 81 1 4ldNS W lcll LIS
message"
WAS there n special stipulation
as to whom that message should be
given?" asked the young man
thoughtfully. "Did> He say you were
just to give it to those boys
why, no; it was to be given to-all
the world, every creature" Shirley
spoke the words hesitatingly, a dimple
beginning to show in her cheek as. her
avoiiH. ArnnnoI o1,o~ hant chr, ~vo -
"And don't I come in on that?" ask
ed Graham, with a twinkle that re-
minded Shirley of his father.
Shirley had to laugh shamefacedly
then.
But I Couldn't" said Shirley. '1'd
be so scared I couldn't think Of a
thing to say"
You're not afraid Of me, Miss
Shirley? You wouldn't be scared If
the message. would you? Well, I
really do, as much as any of those
kids
Shirley looked steadily into his
earnest eye and saw something there
that steadied her nerve.- The laugh
ter died out of her own eyes, and q
beautiful light Of longing came into
them. --
"All right" she said, with a little
- VI AEA ia oS ~ 6AlOAAlE Up AI0E
strength to the task. You may come.
and Ill do the best I can, but I'm
afraid it will be a poor best. I've only
a little story to tell them this norm
ing"
please give them just what you
intended. I want the real thing,
just as a boy would get it from you.
Will the rest Of them come in the car
with us?"
Shir1av Uao ,,or1y r,Sfo$ l,,rSV- thA
ride to. church. She let the rest do all
the talking, and she sat looking of at
the woods and praying for help. try
ing to calm the f1utter Of her fright
ened heart, trying to steady her
nerves and Brace herself to teach the
lesson just as she had intended to
teach it..
She watched him furtively during
the opening exercises, the unframed
old farmer-elder, the dry platitudes
of the illiterate superintendendent;
but he sat respectfully listening. taxi
ing 1t all for what it was worth, the
best service these people knew how
to render to their Maker.
Somehow her heart had gained the
strength she needed from the prayers
she breathed continually, and when
the time for teaching the lesson. ar.
rived she came to her class with
quietness.
There was a little awe upon the
boys because Of the stranger in their
midst. They did not fling the hymn.
books down with a noisy thud. o
send the lesson leaves dying like
winged darts across the room quite.
so much as they were wont to do.
They looked askance at Harley, who
,sat proudly by theg visitor, supplying
him with bibles, hymn-books, lesson
leaves. and finding the place for him
otEictonsly.@ But Graham sat among
thy. boys without ostentation,S and
made as little of his own presence az
possible. He4smiled at them now and
them put a handful4of silver into this
collection envelope when they would.
have passed him by. and promised III
ride to n fellow whosssyentufed sto1
ask him hoarseIy II that vas hfa car