The Bienville Democrat. [volume] (Arcadia, Bienville Parish, La.) 1912-1980, 1921-02-24


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.
la on the counter. 1t was his habit
to carry it in all 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 sad
piously. May come in?'
Miss Parkins held the gate open
and, entering, he became aware for
the first time of his daughters pres.
ence.
Ina" he cried in surprise.
Il was on my way home from the
library" she explained, and saw Miss
Parkins' light"
well, you'd better run along now, "
he said. I've little business with
Miss Parkins. reckon I'll catch up
with you on the avenue
The girl seemed relieved as she
brushed by him. In another moment
the front door closed behind her.
"Sit down. Henry" invited Miss
Parkins. He sat.
81 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 off to college this fall. | know
people think me rich man, Ann. but
to tell the TRUTH haven't much ready
money. Collections are slow. and at
the bank"
is this your news item, Henry?''
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 l think of hel
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 a Gym
ical smile as her kind face could 60
You're not at prayer-meeting now
Henry" she said. Don't trouble tc
weep for me-"
! He stared at her with the hurt looh
Of an innocent child.
Il know we're not friends, Ann, al
we used to be. For some strange rea
son, you have turned against me
But-whether you believe It or not
Mary is constantly in my thoughts
| have been trying to evolve some
plan for paying a public tribute tt
her-to my dear wife. And 1t has
come to me-the plan has come"
He restored his handkerchief to biz
pocket.
Even Ina doesn't know of this yet
he went on. II shall tell her tonight
Ann, have made up my mind to do
nate to the new church building q
large. stained.glass windows 9
memorial to Mary. The agent wal
here from Chicago today. l talked
with him at the bank. The window
will cost me-" he gazed at her a.
though begging her to be prepared
twelve hundred dollars"
Twelve hundred dollars" repeated
Miss Parkins. a strange light in bel
eyes.
II announced my gift at prayer
meeting, tonight. The window will be
placed In the front Of the building
It will remain there through the years
my tribute to Mary. It will remain
there-where all the town can see."
AL the town. Miss Parkins said
That was the most important consid
Grafton with Henry Bradford. and she
knew It. He drew q 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 II
in the paper or not. At any rate, Il
will help you to write the item"
Miss Parkins looked down at the
beautifully colored design for her old
friends window. Its great central flg
ure was that Of q woman. seated OF
a dais. her wonderful face smiling and
content-the face Of 4 woman set free
About her hoated happy cherubim
and on the scroll at her feet Miss Par
kins read: In Memoriam, Mary I'm
derhill Bradford" Her eyes stole
back to that beautiful face {
Symbolic" Henry Bradford was OK
planning In bis oily voice. of the
peace one may find only In the Lord Z
house"
Miss Parkin's vision blurred. Then
out of the blur emerged the face Of
another woman-a face that was no,
smiling, not content-the face OF q
woman who had only recently been
set free.
Mr.. Bradford leaned back In bis
chair. hugely pleased with himself:
II wish you'd make an item Of t.
Ann he said You were, Mary's
best friend. and I'm sure she'd wan,
vo,l m u,rifo ohnnt hnr winHom"