The Colorado statesman., 1923-08-25

- forever and ever, amen"
AS the last words Of the minister
were spoken the solemnly bowed heads
came up with sudden alertness and
slight rustic passed over the congre-
cation as men stopped for their hats
and women greeted their neighbors in
quiet undertones. Slowly they made
their way toward the doors and out
into the almost binding sunshine that
poured over everything with all the
abandon of a bright spring morning In
the country.
| Sunday" John Walters uncon-
sciously whispered the word under his
breath as he hesitated a moment on
the top step of the church. 1t was
strange, he reelected, that there should
be subtle difference between Sunday
and the other days.
| Something intangible, but neverthe-
less there. He could see it; the roads,
the trees, the very sunshine Itself was
not quite the same, and so strongly
did he feel this difference that he be-
lieved that if in some manner he could
lose all track of the days of the week
he would know when Sunday came.
He walked slowly down the street.
breathing in the fresh clean air. What
contrast to the ten years he had
spent in the city trying to make a
name for himself-wOrking, working
day and night with just one idea in
| mind.
After all, was it worth while? He
| had missed so much, he had had no
time for friends or recreation. Now
as he glanced about at the passing
couples feeling of loneliness swept
over him. Nearly everyone had some
one to talk to, but no one knew him.
He was the stranger in the land.
He had motored out to Newton sew
eral times before and attended church
because somehow it took him back to
his boyhood days and he felt that there
was more sincere religion in little
country congregation than in dozen
fashionable city churches.
Perhaps he was right, perhaps not,
but a strange peace and comfort
seemed to come over him when listen
ing to the simple sermon of some
earnest young minister.
AS he walked back toward the
boarding house where he expected to
have dinner he dimly noticed the slen-
der figure of a girl in front Of him
and there was something vaguely IA
| miliar about her that teased him every
time he glanced in her direction. Who
could she be? He knew her, yet he
didn't know her. Anyhow, there was
| hot bnD
both alone. Who could she be? He
quickened his pace.
Margaret Cole, as sure as l liveW
he exclaimed as he came abreast of
her.
John Walters, as sure as l live"
laughed the girl, extending her hand.
"How you have changed" he said
admiringly as he took in the dancing
eyes and flushed cheeks. You're
you're positively"
"A girls apt to change little be-
tween the ages of twelve and eight
Gen." she smiled, breaking in on him.
But what are you doing here?" he
asked.
"Oh, we moved out here two years
ago. Fathers teaching at the girls
seminary"
Soon they were laughing and talk
ing of old times-of the days when
they were next door neighbors in the
West.
81 fell quite in love with you that
last time 1 went back home" he
laughed. Il watched you playing with
your dolls one day and you were the
happiest, motherllest little kid"
you're a fatterer," she told him.
mot bit of it, May l walk home
with your"
"Oh, you're coming to our house to
dinner, of course. l didn't even think
that it was necessary to mention it,
"Thanks so much. l hoped you
would ask me. l shall enjoy seeing
your parents again."
Never was youth more fascinating,
he thought, as he glanced at his com
panion-the 1.-the figure, the quick
step, the parted lips, the radiant face
that seemed to be expecting some
thrilling thing to happen every second.
1t was a gay dinner they had that
Sunday. Everybody laughed and
joked great deal, and John Walters
felt really happy for the first time in
years.
you'll came back next week, won't
you?" Professor Cole asked warmly as
he took his guests hand.
"And the next and the next and the
next, If you'll let me-" laughed Wal
ters.
You'll always find a warm well
come" the professor assured him.
Before the summer was over 1t had
become a regular habit for Walters to
motor down to Newton on Sunday,
take Margaret to church and have
dinner at her home afterward, and by