The Crittenden press., 1920-08-24
The BELL RINGER
BY AGNES O. BRoGAN.

ingly from right Ia left as he drove
up the village street. He had prom
ised his father 10 seek out, during his
travels, II 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 Hill
crest" sign on the weather.bedten sta
tion reminded him OF his fathers re-
quest, 1t was here that Reverend Da-
vid Roberts had come In Ill health and
discouragement TO make his home
James Hardlng's father aud David
Roberts had been classmates together
at the old university. David's first
charge had quickly led to greater,
and still greater pastorate, until II 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 10
his own loss Of confidence In 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, 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, be sent TO him In his vii
lage home TO visit, and TO make her
future choice between them.
James Harding smiled cynically. as
he rode through the streets ot ilill-
crest, at this proposition.
So James Harding entered the un-
familiar vicinity Of church entry,
and then stood there In silent surprise.
For II was Il girl who tolled the sway
Ing bell. her white arms drawing
rhythmically at the rough ropes.
And 1t was the upraIsed face of the
girl In all It's appealing lovellness,
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 10
wait his message.
One glance at himself. and at the
unAccustomed elegance of his car,
seemed to tell her that he would have
a message. Harding gave IT,
"Mr. Roberts Will be here in hall
al hour" she answered him Perhaps
you would Ike TO walt in the vestry."
And as Harding waited. he decided
that II might be interesting to climb
the narrow stair that he had noticed
beyond the hanging bell ropes. He
might be able from the platform OF the
tiny tower to obtain view Of the
surrounding country So II was with
long-fOrgot'en sense ~ adventure
that he assembled the ladder stair. And
there at the top. In a little dusty at
tic sort ~ resting place. sat the girl.
Her dark eyes wldened as she saw
him then again came her understand
ing smile.
"You'll have 10 climb up the small.
er ladder 10 get into the tower" she
directed but he paused. wondering u
the Studylike appearance ~ the tiny
loft. A wooden box used IA a desk
was Uttered with scrIbbled pages, a
shabby pile Of books lay heaped upon
the floor.
The last rays Of daylight flterlng
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 10 James Harding
some fair saint NJ her devotion And
though he might not understand what
II was that held her absorbed. as he
had first seen her. he lifted his hat In
apology. and went back down the stair
He sat smiling during the service, IA
which his fathers old friend begged
him 10 remain. at the unaccuStOmed
Incidents OF this evening.
A strange new interest possessed
him to see again, and hear about, the
lovely, perpirxinc young creature who
swayed church bells and wrote In q
tower But as the man of great affair,
listened to the old minister's trembling
words, he was impressed by the breath
less attention ~ his hearers, and ther
promptly forgot them. in the slncerlt!
Of the simple message. And Ms IN,
two men sat later In the comf0rtabl,
room of 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 lllumlned by some inner glow
"My daughter rings the church bells.
he replied, but ! guess-you'd bette
cali her pastor, instead NJ sexton, un
less you'd call her an angel of light
as she H. You see. Bessie writes IN!
sermons In her own telling way. NJ,
memory II gone for study. 40 Bessie
studies for me. The people are salts
Hed with our arrangement they-lov'
us both. Bessie visits their sick; sh,
does all those things which long {,
do-and cannot. TN an old man nov
aud broken. will call Bessie. Sh,
will be anxious to have you stop will
Us for the night"
Aud ns the three sat together OF
the cottage porch with the scent NJ II
lacs about them and the Moonlight shin
lng on Bessle's uprnlsed face Jume
Harding knew that the girl had mnd'
her choice. And that truth aud sac
riH.. uuI MAN Hut,Iu... ,,,t.sh, -.u