The Monmouth inquirer., 1921-09-15

Jne SpldSIl.
She cooked her :. on one side
and smiled at him w.-.nsically, hop
ing for some response to her humor-
GUS picture. A faint ghost of smile
was it, or was it not?-flickered on
the old mans lips; but he gave no
sign of grace.
Hepsey sighed and paused for an in
stant. "Well-we can't sit here talkin'
till midnight. or l shall be compromis-
In your rep9tation. I suppose. There'n
be meeting of tie parishioners call
ed at.the end Of this week. and the
rector won't be present at it; SO. War.
den, suppose you'll preside. / hope
you will I've got to do my part-ana
that is to see that the parish under
stands just how their rector's placed.
right now. both about his house and
bis salary. He's workin' as laborer
to get enough for him and that little
wife of his to live on. andft the town
knows it-but they don't all know that
it's because the salary that's properly
his is bein' held back on him. and by
those that pay their chauffeurs more
than the rector gets, by good piece.
1 shall call on every one at that mee-
In to pay UP; and shall begin with
the poorest. and end up"-she fixed
Bascom's eye significantly the
richest, And If 1t seems to be my duty
to do 1t, may have somethin' more
to say when the subscriptions closed
but don't believe no. she added,
opening her bag and rummaglng about
among its contents till she hit upon
a letter and brought It forth. mo. !
don't believe I'll have to say a thing.
rye got a hunch, Sylvester Bascom,
that it'll be you that1l have the last
word. after all"
The old mans glance was riyeted
upon the familiar handwriting of the
faded letter. and without word Hep
sey started to read 1t, date and all. IN
clear voice:
Willow Bluff. Durford.
September--,19--.
Hepsey Dear:
suppose you will never forgive me
for making the move from the old
house to Willow Bluff. as it's to be
called, while you were not at home to
help me. But they got finished sooner
than we thought for. and Sylvester
was as eager as child with a new
toy to get moved In. So here we are.
and the first letter write from our
new home Is to you. who helped more
than anyone to make the old home
happy for me and mine-bless them
and bless you!
Everything Is out of the old house
-"The Rectory" as shall call 1t now
except such pieces of furniture as
we did not want to take away, and we
thought might be welcome to the par
son Cor parsons. suppose) who may
occupy 1t. Sister Susan thought it
slighting to Pas generosity to give
the house to the church; but l don't
look at it like that. Anyway. it's done
now--and I'm very happy to think that
the flock can offer a proper home to
It's shepherd. as long as the old place
stands.
II you get back Thursday ! shall just
be ready for you to help me with the
shades and curtains, If you care to.
Your friend.
Marion Anderson Bascom.
p. s. Ginty sends her love to Aunt
Hepsey. and says, "to come to Boston
quick!" She's little confused some
way, and can't get 1t out Of her head
that we're not back home In Boston.
since we left the old place. hope you
are having nice visit with Sally.
AS Hepsey read. Sylvester Bascom
turned. slowly. away from her, his
head on his hand. gazing out OF the
window. When she had finished read
ing. the letter was folded up and re-
placed in the bag along with her knit
ting. Then. laying her hand with a
gentle. firm pressure on the old mans
shoulder. Mrs. Burke departed.