American Fork citizen. [volume] (American Fork, Utah) 1912-1979, 1920-08-14
THE BELL RINGER
BY AGNES O. eRocAN.

1
ance In the inclosed ear looked inqur-
lngly from right TO left as he drove
up the village street. He had prom
ised his father to seek out, during his
travels, n certain ministerial friend
| whose promising career had ended in
this insignificant and hidden corner
| of the world.
The man of business had almost for
gotten his promise, until the "lIll.
crest sign on the weather-beatcn sta
fion reminded him Of his fathers re-
| quest II was here that Reverend Da-
vid Roberts had come In III health and
encouragement to make his home.
james Harding's father and David
Roberts had been classmates together
Mt the old university. Davd's first
charge had quickly led to greater,
and still greater pastorate, until II be-
came fashionable to be numbered
among the throngs who went to hear
his brilliant addresses. Then. quickly,
came nervous breakdown and--faiure.
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
ried 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, to return to
her people. So. thereafter. David went
from charge to 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. he sent to him In his VII
lage home to visit, and to make her
future choice between them.
James Harding smiled cynicaily, rs
he rode through the streets of Hill
crest. nj this proposition.
SO James Harding entered the UNI
familiar vicinity of a. church entry,
| and then stood there In silent surprise
| For II was girl who tolled the sway.
ing hell, her white arms drawing
| rhythmlcnlly nj the rough ropes.
| And II was the appraised face Of the
girl, In all its appealing loneliness.
! which held him silent and wondering.
She turned presently to give him
frank smile NJ greeting. then closing
, the door upon her hell rope, came To
walt his message.
One glance at himself. and at the
| unaccustomed elegance Of his ear,
seemed TO tell her that he would have
a message. Harding gave II.
"Mr. Roberts win he here In half
an hour" she answered him. Perhaps
you would like to wait in the ve~try."
| And as Harding waited, he decided
| that II might be Interesting to climb
| the narrow stair that he had noticed
| beyond the hanging hell ropes. He
might he able from the platform Of the
tiny tower 10 obtain view ~ the
surrounding country. So II was with
forgotten sense Of adventure
that he assembled the ladder. stair. And
there nj the top. In n little dusty at
tic sort NJ resting place, sat the girl
Her dark eyes wldened as she saw
him. then again came her understand
ing smile.
"You'll have IN climb up the small
or ladder to get into the tower" she
directed: hut he paused. wondering at
the studylike appearance ~ the tiny
I loft. A wooden box used ms desk
was Uttered with scrubbed pages, n
| gLnlll.xs ,,I.. Of hn.,l.s, la,
the floor.
The last rays OF daylight flllering
down from above made n halo OF the
girls hair MS she knelt before the
wooden box. with that rapt look In
her eyes-she was IN James Harding
some fair saint at her devotion. And
though he might not understand whnt
II was thpt held hcr absorbed. "a he
had first seen her he lifted his hat In
apology. and went back down the stair.
He sat smiling during the service. 10
which his fathers ola friend begged
him 10 remain. Mt the unaccustomcd
incidents Of this evening.
A strange new Interest possessed
him TO see again, and hear about, the
lovely. perplexIng young creature who
swayed church bells and wrote In a
tower. Rut 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 small cottage. Harding ques.
TONED abruptly concerning the girl.
"A woman SEXTON" he added, snii.
ing. us unusual"
The worn face OF the minister
seemed illumined by some inner glow.
"My daughter-rings the church bells"
he replied, but guess--you'd better
call her pastor, instead of sexton. un.
less you'd call her an angel OF light.
rs she r.. You see. Bessie writes my
sermons In her own telling way. My
memory Is gone for study, so Bessie