The weekly Iberian., 1921-07-16
Salvation by
Matrimony
BY MARTHA NJ, WILLIAMS

l.
Coming? There's the last bell"
Alllah called TO her cousin Frances
from the topmost step. Still Sunday
sunlight made her glow like a rose
newly open. Frances, noting it, sighed
Iaihtly-she craved beauty of all
thlhgs-no transtigurings of light or
shadow could ever make her other
than hopelessly plain. At least to her
own eyes-her mirror did not picture
her best moments. Few indeed ever
saw them-they came when she was
wrapped in the peace of green pas
lures, with the gleam Of still waters
genmlng the distance. Something
aWoke then that made her as one with
the good world, part and parcel of its
harmony and rhythm
DO come! 1t makes me fidgety
sitting alone in our big pew" Zillah
entreated
Frances rose slowly. "If you can
wait two minutes" she said. speaking
almost loathly. Yet, in less time she
was beside Frances, trg, dim, severe,
a perfect foil for the other figure, a
concrete of roses, ribbons and girl
ish charm.
Two men were already seated in
their pew-tall, young, well set up,
well looking in every way. They stood
deferentially outside for the two girls
to seat themselves, and later went
through the ritual with a reverent ease
that bespoke habit. Also they listened
alertly, catching every point of the
rector's DISCOURSE Frances was unac-
best; brief, but meaty throughout. and
breathing the vital witness of the
spirit. The church was full. After
the benediction the strangers halted
uncertainty. Then one turned to
Frances with please. do you think
we may speak with the rector. We
came especially to hear him. 1t may
be my only chance My father was
good friend of his all through the
course at Princeton"
4 Then he must have known my IA
ther, too. Did you ever hear of Cor
7
Rather! I'm his namesake," the
stranger said, holding out card, which
read: Gordon Trabue Whitsett."
"And I've grown up on traditions Of
the triumvirate," he added. "TO think
Of finding part of it in just this way"
MY middle name begins with W."
Zillah said laughing. I'D surely be a
John Whitsett if I were the man
ought to be-"
Don't say that! Nature knew
best young Whitsett said. looking
down at her. Then Frances, and the
other stranger being acquainted, the
four Of them sought the vestry, where
the rector rejoiced over them almost
as If they had been brands from the
burning. After a bit Zllah declared !:
Everybody goes home with me to din
ner. Yes-you toow shaking her
finger at Rector Fitch. Frances won't
mind going by for my Aunt Zillah,
your good angel-and mine. l daren't
trust you out Of my sight. Daddy will
be home from that tiresome convention
and gladder than anybody to see
you. He'd disinherit me, I'm sure, If
l let his namesake escape" and smil-
ing at Billy Brent, "he has always q
double welcome for the friend Of his
friend"
Frances, take that lad along with
you. l know my Zillah-she is set in
her ways-if you have to use force do
it gently, please" The rector laughed.
Frances frowned-in spirit only. She
did not mind doing Zillah's bidding,
nor envy her the ease with which she
carried things before her. But it was
with some one new and strange She
had no small talk whatever, not even
Of the weather.
"The rector trod on several 'cOrns of
your mind," Billy declared as they
went down the -estry steps.
"How do you know?" Frances asked,
startled.
"Your eyes tell tales" Billy retorted.
"They are dangerously truthful"
"How? Frances asked.
"By turning away friends, even
when they do not make enemies" was
the reply.
81 don't know how you can know"
she said a perplexed line drawing be-
tween her brows.
Honest Injun-don't you resent my
being sent along" from Billy.
She nodded ''Yes-I know we
should bore each other to no purpose,
and that is such waste Of living"
Lets not do it, then. Instead, tell
each other all about ourselves. That
Is always Interestingly the party of
the first part, however the last may
fare" Billy said, standing still a
second.
II doubt if we are that interesting"
Frances said dispassionately. At least
I'm not. I'm just what | look-some-
body born to help fill up the census.
All really know is l was born and
I shall die. / mean nothing to any