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

not to pass without some acknowl.
edgment' And you are right To re.
pay her for all those humdrum,
penned.up years when she might have
been enjoying the world she lived In
as she enjoyed 1t when girl, she Is
to have-a stained.glass window in a
Mapleton church.
THAT is the tribute Of a loving hus.
band to the wife he enslaved. That
is the proof that she did not live
and die-in vain. A stained.glass
window. bought with the money she
gave her life to hoard!
The chief figure In the design OF
this window is to be that OF a woman,
sitting on a dais-resting-free-on
her face reflection Of the peace that
Is to be fOund-we understandable the
Lords house. The friends of the dead
woman will see the irony OF this, only
when they recall that never once did
she sit In church on Sunday morning
when her mind was not busy with the
dinner she must hasten home to cook,
that her man might eat when he had
finished worshiping his Maker.
Sometimes God must look down
and smile a sad little smile at a few
of the things that are done in his
name"
Miss Parklns finished reading, her
eyes flashing, her cheeks aAame.
What she had written was written
from the heart. She looked over at
Henry Bradford. His face was ashen
now he wet his thin lips with his
tongue.
$50 that's what you think OF me, is
it," he managed at last to say.
That's exactly what think. Hen.
ry." she replied. And it seems to
me it's time that the town saw you
as you really are. You make a great
clatter over your religion. You rush
around on Gods business as wildly as
though it were prOmissOry note that
was due you. And you fool many.
But you never fooled Mary Underhill.
and you never fooled her friends
"Well?" He stood up. Are you
through with me, Ann?'
'1ll be through with you, Henry,
when I've printed that editorial in to.
morrows paper"
He started from her, and an odd,
dull flush spread over his pale cheeks.
Good Heavens, Ann! You wouldn't
dare!"
wouldn't I? Don't you know me
any better than that?"
He did know her better than that,
and he mopped the perspiration from
his sleek, endless forehead.
Its what Id expect from you" he
cried. with your fool notions about
w0man's rights, and all that crank
talk in your paper every night"
Miss Parkins smiled pleasantly.
Then | haven't disappointed YOU"
she said.
He took step forward.
print it." he screamed. his little
eyes aflame with anger. Print it!
And I'll sue you for libel! III close
out your cheap, little Sheet"
Maybe" replied Miss Parkins
calmly, but would that put you back
in the good graces of the town."
He sat down and weakly stared at
the woman's fine, brave face. In his
heart he knew that it was not to his
credit that such a woman as this was
not on his side.
why do you dislike me so, ANN"
he asked, and it was almost whine.
why shouldn't dislike you?" she
inquired. her face very serious now.
"YOu crushed the life out OF Marv.
That in itself is enough--tor | loved
her, always But-there are other
reasons" She turned her face away.
Mary wasn't the only one who be.
lieved in you." she added. more
gently.
What do you mean?" he asked.
Don't you remember. Henry?'
He only stared at her, dumbly.
II see you DON'T" she went on.
but | do. 1t was night in August,
Henry-a night like this You put
your arms around me-you kissed me
there under the trees"
He shuddered
why bring that back now"
Because want you to understand.
No man had ever kissed me before.
No man has kissed me since. | be.
lieved In you them thought you
! were wonderful-I-I guess must
have been in love. And then-when
Mary came to me and told me that
you and she were to be married.
tried to be brave. l told myself It
was for the best l wished her every
happiness. even helped her pick
her wedding dress. She never
dreamed"
NO." he said, "she never dreamed"
Il told myself that l must rejoice in
her happiness. And really believe
! did. | had the memory Of that kiss,
that moment under the trees. II you
had been what ! thought you It would
have been happy memory. But you
weren't. The years passed, and the
rottenness and meanness that were in
you began to show. And | realized
that | had been cheated. that you
weren't what thought you after all.
got to be ashamed Of that kiss.
horribly ashamed" She turned on
him fiercAly accusinrlv