Vernon Parish Democrat. (Leesville, La.) 1917-193?, 1920-01-24


penned-up years when she might have
been enjoying the world she lived IN
as she enjoyed e when q girl. she ts
to have-a stained-glass window IN q
Mapleton church.
THAT is the tribute Of q loving hus-
band to the wife he enslaYed. That
IL the proof that she did not live
and die-in vain. A stained-gIass
window, bought with the money she
gave her life to hoardl
''The chief figure IN the design OF
this window is to be that Of woman.
sitting on q dais-resting free -on
her face a reflection Of the peace that
Is 70 be found-we understandable the
Lords house. The friends, Of the dead
woman win see the irony Of this, only
when they recall that never once did
she sit In church on Sunday morning
when her mind was not busy with the
dinner she must hasten home to cook,
that her man might eat when he had
finished worshiping his Maker.
Sometimes God must look down
and smile a sad little smile ct q few
Of the things that are done in his
name"
Miss Parkins finished reading, her
eyes flashing, her cheeks afiame.
What she had written was written
from the heart. She looked over at
Henry Bradford. His face was ashen
now, he wet his thin lips with his
tongue.
$50 that's what you think Of me, Is
III" he managed at last TO say.
That's exactly what l think. Hen.
~" she replied. "And It seems to
me It's time that the town saw you
az you really are. You make q great
slattor over your religion. You rush
around on Gods business as wildly az
Though It we're q DrOmissory note that
was due you. And you fool many.
But you never fooled Mary Underhill,
and you never fooled her friends
"Wellf' He stood up. "Are you
through with me, Amt"
"Ill be through with you, Henry,
when I've printed that editorial in to-
morroW'S paper"
He started from her, and an odd,
dull flush spread over his pale cheeks.
Good Heavens, Ann! You wouldn't
dare!"
Wouldn't II Don't you know me
any better than that?"
He did know her better than that,
and he mOpped the persPiration from
his sleek, endless forehead.
'It's what I'd expect from you" he
cried, with your fool notions about
wOmsn's rights, and all that crank
talk in your paper every night"
Miss Parkins smiled pleasantly.
then haven't disappointed you"
she said.
He took step forward.
print IT," he screamed, his little
eyes sflame with anger. print It!
And I'll sue you for libelI I'll close
out your cheap, little Sheet"
Maybe" replied Miss Parkins
calmly, but would that put You back
in the good graces Of the town."
He sat down and weakly stared at
the WOman's fne, brave face. In his
heart he knew that it was not to his
credit that such q woman as this was
not on his side.
why do you dislike me so. AnnP"
he asked, and it was almost a whine.
why shouldn't l dislike your" she
inquired, her face very serious now.
you crushed the life out of Mary.
That in itself is enough-for loved
her, always. But-there are other
reasons" She turned her face away.
MARY wasn't the only one who be-
lieved in you" she added. more
gently.
What do you mean?' he asked.
Don't you remember, Henry?"
He only stared at her, dumbIy.
Il see you don't" she went on.
"But do. It was a night in August,
Henry-a night like this. You put
your arms around me-you kissed me
there under the trees"
He shuddered.
why bring that back now?"
Because / want you to understand.
No man had ever kissed me before.
No man has kissed me since. be.
lieved in you then-I thought you
we're wonderful-I-l guess must
have been IN love. And then-when
Mary came to me and told me that
you and she were to be married.
tried to be brave. / told myself 1t
was for the best. wished her every
happiness. even helped her pick
her wedding dress. She never
dreamed"
mo" he said. "she never dreamed"
Il told myself that must rejoice In
her happiness. And I really believe
did. had the memory of that kiss,
that moment under the trees. II you
had been what thought you it would
have been happy memory. But you
weren't. The years passed. and the
rottenness and meanness that we're in
you began to show. And / realized
that | had been cheated. that you
weren't what I thought you after all.
z