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

At-4t4"8 A3AA9 NHN A-Aae -
kins moved quickly to greet her visitor.
In the light that came IN from the
street. she recognized Henry Brad
ford, the hard lines about his mouth
twisted into = conciliatory smile. his
sly. little eyes alert to greet her. As
he took on his hat, his badness &C
centuated the shining pallor OF bis
face. II had held that pallor. Of late
years, as though he had gazed into
hts own soul. and what he saw there
had turned him white.
Good evening. Ann" he said brisk
". Il stopped with = little item Of
news for you"
You're out late" she suggested.
'Mid-week prayer-meeting," he re-
sponded. I'VE got to discussing the
new church. and didn't notice the
time. / don't see you at prayer-meet-
ing as often as used to, Ann"
MY business keeps me here" she
told him.
He laid his carefully rolled umbrel-
Ia on the counter. It was his habit
to carry It in ell weathers, for he had
come to slyly suspect rain even when
sun or moon shone brightest.
There Is no business more import
ant than that Of the Lord" he said
piously. May come INF"
Miss Parkins held the gate open
and. entering, he became aware for
the lrst time Of his daughters pres
ence.
Ina" he cried in surprise
IT was on my way home from the
library" she explained, "and saw Miss
PRrkins' light"
Well. you'd better run along now"
he said. i've q little business with
Miss ParkinB. reckon III catch up
with you on the avenue
The girl seemed relieved a. she
brushed BY him. In another moment
the front door closed behind her.
"Sit down, Henry" invited Miss
Parkins. He sat
Il suppOse-she's told you," he In
Quired.
Told me what?" asked Miss Par
kins, though she knew.
"That-things aren't just right for
me to see my way clear to sending
her of to college this fall I know
people think me a rich man, Ann, but
to tell the truth haven't much ready
money. Collections are slow, and ct
the bank"
us this your news item, Henry7''
asked Miss Parkins.
He tried to smile affably.
"No," he said. my news item is
quite another matter" His white
face assumed its usual, doleful look.
ANN. Mary's been dead four months
now. And miss her, Ann. / miss
her terribly. When / think Of her
long years Of devotion, Of sacrifice"
He took out his handkerchief and
dabbed at his little eyes. Miss Par
kins gazed at him, as near to q Gym
zeal smile as her kind face could go.
You're not at prayer-meeting now,
Henry" she said. Don't trouble to
weep for me-"
He stared ct her with the hurt look
Of an innocent child.
II know we're not friends, Ann, as
we used to be. For some strange rea-
son. you have turned against me.
But-whether you believe II or not,
Mary is constantly in my thoughts.
have been trying to evolve some
plan for paying a public tribute to
her-to my dear wife. And 1t has
come to me--the plan has come"
He restored his handkerchief to his
pocket.
Even Ina doesn't know Of this yet"
he went on. IT shall tell her tonight.
Ann, have made up my mind to do
nate to the new church building a
large, stained-glass window-as a
memorial to Mary. The agent was
here from Chicago today l talked
with him at the bank. The window
will cost me-" he gazed at her as
though begging her to be prepared
twelve hundred dollars"
Twelve hundred dollars" repeated
Miss Parkins, strange light in her
eyes.
81 announced my gift at prayer
meeting, tonight me WINDOW Wall De
placed In the front Of the building.
II will remain there through the years,
my tribute to Mary. 1t win remain
there-wheFe all the town can see."
"All the town." Miss Parkins said.
That was the most important consid-
Grafton with Henry Bradford. and she
knew it. He drew great roll Of pa
per from his pocket. leaned over, and
spread It out on her desk.
Here is the Chicago firms draw
ing" he said. "You can see the de-
sign Of the window from this. don't
know whether you can reproduce It
in the paper or not. At any rate, It
will help you to write the item"
Miss Parkins looked down at the
beautifully colored design for her old
friends window. It's great central fig
ure was that of woman, seated on
dais, her wonderful face smiling and
content-the face OF woman set free.
la~,,A