The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1921-08-06
Salvation by
Matrimony
y MARTHA M. WILLIAMS

~SSiors Newspaper Syndicatel
Comingf There's the last bell"
Alnan called to her cousin Frances
from the to9most step. Still Sunday |
eunI.gnt made her glow like a rose
uewiy open. Frances. noting it, sighed |
taintiy-she craved beauty of all
saings-no trans6gurings of light or
shadow could ever make her other
tnan hopelessly plain. At least to her
own eyes-her mirror did not picture
her pest moments. Few indeed ever
saw them-they came when she was
wrapped In the peace of green pas
lures with the CLEAN Of still waters
gemming the distance. Something
awoke then that made her as one with
tne 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, trig, dim, severe,
perfect foil for the other figure, a
concrete Of roses, ribbons and girl
ish charm.
Two men were already seated In
their pew-tail, young, well set up,
well looking in every way. They stood
Aeferentially outside for the two girls
to seat themselves, and later went
through the ritual with reverent ease
that bespoke habit. Also they listened
alertly, catching every point Of the
rector's discourse. Frances was unac-
countably glad it was one Of his
best; brief. but meaty throughout, and
breathing the vital witness Of the
spirit. The church was full. After
the bene diction 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. It may
be my only chance. My father was a
good friend Of his all through the
course at Princeton"
Then he must have known my Ia
ther, too. Did you ever hear Of Cor
don TrabueY' Zillah interrupted.
sRather! I'm his namesake," the
stranger said, holding out card, which
read: "Gordon Trabue Whitsett.'
SAnd I'VE grown up on traditions Of
the triumvirate," he added. ITO thinl
OF finding part Of 1t In just this way
my middle name begins with W.
Zillah said laughing. "rd surely be
John Whitsett IL / were the man
ought to be-"
sDon't say that! Nature knew
best" young Whitsett said, looking
down nj her. Then Frances. and tn
other stranger being acquainted, tn
four Of them sought the vestry, wher
tho rector rejoiced over them almos
as Il they had been brands from tn
burning. After bit Zillah declared
AEyerybody goes home with me to dir
ner. Yes-you tool" shaking ne
finger at Rector Fitch. Frances won
mind going by for my Aunt Aillai
your good angel-and mine. ! daren
srust YOU out Of my sight. Daddy WI
"a home from that tiresOme conventio
-ahd gladden. than anybody to Sc
Won. He'd disinherit me, I'm sure
Iet his namesake escape" and sml
Inc at Billy Brent. "he has always
double welcome for the friend OF a
friend" -. ri,
Lnow INV Zillah-she Is set
hor ways-if you have to use force
Il gently, please" The rector laugne
Frances frowned-in spirit only. -
d,d not mind doing Zillah's biddin
nor envy her the ease with which 81
csrr,ed things before her. But II WI
s.ra to have to make conversatie
with some one new and strange. y
rad no small talk whatever, NOT eV'
az the weather.
.srhe rector trod on several 'corns
.orr mind" Billy declared as tn
svsnt down the vestry steps.
sHow do you knowl" Frances aske
ayour eyes tell tales Billy retorte
.rhav are dangerously truthful.
.HowY" Frances asked.
aPv turning away friends, ev
chen they do not make enemies v
y don't know how You can kno,
~ha said. 4 psrplexed line drawing
tween her browk
sHonest Injun-don't you resent
,e,nr sent along1" from Billy.
she nodded. sYesI know
~hc,,,d bore each other to no purpo
s 80 that Is such Z waste Of living.
sret,s not do It, then. Instead:
..ch other all about ourselves. y
!. .lwsys interesting TO the party
~ nrst part. however the last 2
tsre.v Billy said. standing SUI
second. -. ,nt.~oet,u
RANGES said dispassionateiy. A e
- hot. I'm just what ! iook-sol
"a, horn to help nll up the cena
W. really. know ID I was born !
.h.ll ale. / mean nothing to z
..dv good Or bad. Sometimes
eo g though s I'd rather be hated.
s.rd. than have the whole y
tepid." -. ..+t,nr Al