Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-07-14
THE BELL RINGER
BY AGNES c. sRoGAN.

The man OF distinguished appear
! ance in the inclosed car looked inquir-
Ingly from right to left as he drove
up the village street. He had prom
ised his father % seek out. during his
travels. a certain ministerial friend.
whose promising career had ended Ia
this Insignificant and hidden corner
OF the world.
The man OF business had almost for
gotten his promise. until the Hill
crest" sign on the weather-beaten sta
ton reminded him OF his fathers re-
quest II was here that Reverend Da-
vid Roberts had come In m health and
encouragement 70 make his home.
James Hariing's father and David
Roberts had been classmates together
at the old university. David's first
charge had quickly led TO a greater.
and stiII greater passionate. until Il be-
came fashionable 20 be numbered
among the throngs who went 20 hear
his brilliant addresses. Then. quickly.
came nervous breakdown and-faiiure.
Weakly recovered. David had lost his
hold upon men. some blamed this to
his own loss OF confidence In human
nature.
The theolOgian had loved and mar
rled a young society woman. whose
only admiration for his great work was
It's exhibition of power. And with his
necessary acceptance OF humber fields
the society wife left him. 90 return 10
her people. So, thereafter. David went
from charge 20 charge alone. and L
was not until the death OF Elizabeth
Roberts many years later. that be
wrote his wife's people asking that
his daughter who had been raised in
their care. be sent to him in his vii
lage home TO visit. and TO make her
future choice between them.
James Harding smiled cynically. ss
he rode through the streets OF Hill
crest. at this proposition.
So James Harding entered the I'M
familiar vicinity OF a church entry.
aud then stood there In silent surprise.
For II was a girl who tOlled the sway
ILg bell. her white arms drawing
rhythmically az the rough ropes
And Il was the up-aised face Of the
girl. in all it's appealing loneliness.
which held him silent and wondering.
She turned presently 70 give him
frank smile OF greeting. then closing
the door upon her bell rope. came to
walt his message.
One glance NJ himself. and az the
unaccustomed elegance OF his car.
seemed TO tell her that he would have
a message. Harding gave II.
"AIr. Roberts will be here In half
az hour" she answered him. Perhaps
you would ike to wait IN the vestry."
And as Hariing waited. he decided
that II might be Interesting 70 climb
the narrow stair that he had noticed
beyond the hanging bell ropes. he
might be able from the platform OF the
tiny tower 20 obtain a 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. IN a little dusty at
tic sort OF resting place. sat the girl.
Her dark eyes widened as she saw
him. then again came her understand
ing smile
you'll have to climb up the small
er ladder to get into the tower" she
directed: but he paused. wondering az
the studylIke appearance OF the tiny
loft. A wooden box used as a desk
was Uttered with scribbled pages. a
shabby pile OF books lay heaped upNo
the floor. {
The last rays OF daylight altering
down from above made a halo OF the
girls hair as she knelt before the
wooden box. with that rapt look in
her eyeS-she was 20 James Harding
some fair saint at her devotion. And
though he might not understand what
n was that held her absorbed. as he
had first seen her. he lifted his hat in
apology. and went back down the stair
ue sat smiling during the service. 10
which his fathers old friend begged
him 70 remain. at the unaccustOmed
Incidents Of this evening.
A strange new interest possessed
him 10 see again. and hear about. thu
lovely. perplexing young creature who
swayed church bells and wrote In
tower. But as the man Of great AFFAIRS
listened TO the old minister's trembling
words. he was impressed by the breath
less attention OF his hearers. and then
promptly forgot them. IN the sincerity
OF the simple message And as the
two men sat later. in the comfortable
room OF a small cottage. Harding ques-
toned abruptly concerning the girl
"a woman sexton" he added. smil-
ing. SIS unusual"
The worn face OF the minister
seemed lIlumlned by some inner glow
'My daughter-rings the church bells"
be replied. but I guess-yOu'd better
| rail- her Dasfnr. instead OF sexton, IN