The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1920-08-19
THE BELL RINGER
By AGNES c. saooAn.

Il t@@NH = 1919 sF"~NNANHa
The man ~ distinguished appear
ance IN the inclosed car looked inquir-
ingly from right 10 left a. he drove
up the village street He had prom
ised his father 20 seek out. during his
travels. certain ministerial friend.
whose promising career had ended In
this Insignificant and hidden corner
Of the world
The man " business had almost for
gotten HIS promise. until the "Hill-
crest" sign on the weather-beaten sta
tiUn reminded him OF his fathers re
quest II was here that Reverend Ds-
yid Roberts had come IN m health and
Encouragement TO make his home.
James HardIng's father and David
Roberts had been classmates together
al the old university David's first
charge had quickly led 20 a greater,
and still greater pastorate. until IL be
came fashionable 10 be numbered
among the throngs who went TO hear
HIS brilliant addresses Then, quickly,
came nervous breakdown and-failure.
Weakly recovered. David had lost his
hold upon men. Some blamed this to
his own loss OF confidence I'm human
nature.
The theologian had loved and mar
ried a young society woman, whose
only admiration for his great work WAS
its exhibition Of power. And with his
necessary acceptance Of humber fields
the society wife left him. 10 return 20
her people. So. thereafter David went
from charge 10 charge alone. and II
WAS not until the death of Elizabeth
Roberts many years later. that he
wrote his wife's people asking that
his daughter who had been raised in
their care. be sent 10 him in his vii
lage home 10 visit. and 10 make her
future choice between them.
James Harding smiled cynically as
he rode through the streets Of Hill
crest. AZ this proposition.
so James Harding entered the I'M
familiar vicinity Of church entry,
and then stood there In silent surprise
For II was a girl who toled the sway
ing bell her white arms drawing
rhythmically at the rough ropes
And II was the appraised face Of the
girl. IN all It's appealing loveliness,
which held him silent and wondering.
She turned presently 10 give him a
frank smile of greeting then closing
the door upon her bell rope, came to
walt his message
one glance AT himself. and NJ the
uHaccustomed elegance Of his car,
seemed 10 tell her that he would have
message. Harding gave It,
"Mr. Roberts will be here in half
an hour" she answered him. Perhaps
you would like to walt In the vestry."
And as Harding waited, he decided
that II might be interesting 10 climb
the narrow stair that he had noticed
beyond the hanging bell ropes. lie
might be able from the platform Of the
tiny tower 10 obtain view Of the
surrounding country SO il was with
a long forgotten sense of adventure
that he assembled the ladder-stair. And
there at the top. I'm little dusty at
tie sort Of resting place. sat The girl
Her dark eyes wldened as she saw
him. then again came her understand
ing smile
'You'll have to climb up the small
er ladder 10 get into the tower" she |
directed hut he paused. wondering at |
the siudylike appearance Of the tiny |
loft. A wooden box used rs desk |
was Uttered with scrihbled pages. q |
shabby pile OF books lay heaped upon
the floor.
The last RAYS OF daylight altering |
down from above made halo Of the
girls hair as she kneit before the |
wooden box. with thai rapt look In
her eyes-she was to James Harding |
some fair saint at her devotion. And
though he might not understs ID what
n was that held her absorbed. rs he
had first seen her he lifted his hat In
apology. and went back down he stair.
He sat smiling during the service. 10
which his fathers old friend begged
him 10 remsln. at the unaccustomed
Incidents of this evening
A strange new interest Possessed
him to see again. and hear about. the
lovely. perplcV'n- young cresiIre who
swayed church bells and WI, - IN =
tower Bot a. the man u gre3t affairs
listened to the oil minister's rsmbling
words. he was impressed BY tn breath
less attention ~ his hearers. aud then
forgot them. In the ~incerity
" the simple message And a. the
two mon sat later. In the con Portable
-ooin 81 small cottage Hard ag aues-
TONED abruptly concerning the girl Is
"A woman sexton" b, add j. sinil-
ug SIS unusual A."
The worn face Of the minister Z
SEEMED llIumined by some inr r glow. :
Ny daughier-rinZs the chur b bells
BE- replied. "hut guess-vor'I better
SAN her nasta- instead af ION. an
sss you'd call her an sHet1 81 light I
+ she is Ngg @-e E its.s ri Z
erm1ns 81 her 0an telling ~ Nv q
g5ar.targ rs rsfs Tar a*fffv II w4aa4Ea q