Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1923-11-21
THE BELL CALLS
BY JANE GORDON
MARGOT had walked the hot pave
%. 1929. Western Newspaper Union.)

aDle IN ner unframed state. Sne nau
been able to pick up typewriting, and
| made herself letter perfect, since the
short time that she had been left
alone in the world, through her faith
er's death. But at every office where
she presented herself, in answer to
advertisements shorthand, and other
necessary qualities appeared to be in
Guided in the requirements.
A lump arose painfully in her
throat, as she walked, recalling the
sweet comfort of the village home
now gone forever Then softly above
the noise of traffic, came the methodi-
cal call of a bell. Margot saw the
vinecovered gray stone church before
her. It's door stood open invitingly.
Near the door placard announced
"VeSper Service at Four"
Margot saw by the clock on the
steeple, that it was now three-thirty.
There, in that cool interior, the sun
shaded by soft colored windows, she
might find for half an hour-the rest
she needed.
1t was very still; slowly, through
the perfumed shadows the girl made
her way down the aisle. She lifted
her hat to let the breeze from a high
window touch her forehead. Then,
with a sigh of relief, Margot sank, hud
died like a child in a tall cushioned
pew. Like a lullaby the bell far in
the steeple continued its call. Paul
Inv 40 nat s1
call and rustled his papers nevously.
Tonight'S unfinished speech lay on the
desk before him. Miss Mills had left
in preparation for her wedding, and
he had, in the stress of parish work,
been unable to take time to procure
another stenographer.
Paul Ormsby congratulated himself
in Miss Mills services. She was re-
liable, ladylille, agreeably different
from other young women who had APP
piled for the position He knew that
he must await time of leisure-in Sc
curing another such.
The Reverend Paul drew his fine
brows together impatiently as the bell
continued to remind him that his time
of duty was near; then, collecting the
scattered notes of his evenings speech
he endeavored to put himself in It be
coming frame Of mind for the after
noon service
His old housekeeper came tapping
ut the study door, thine for sery-
ice, Mr.. Paul" she reminded She had
been in his mothers home as trusted
helper when the Reverend Paul was
but a boy.
Out into the well-kept rectOry gar
den he walked sloWly-a green spot
in the heart of a toiling city.
Close to the Uncovered church
fountain sent its silver spray.
The rectors home was one of pic
turesque beauty; the young man often
thought of it as a home of loneliness.
The church was still devoid OF
worShipers. Paul dropped into a pew
near the rostrum to think over his dis
course. Then he smiled in sympa-
ghetto understanding. For a white
faced young woman sat hudded in the
far corner of the peW-aseep. THE
heat of the day thought Paul; tears
showed Enthusiastically on the pale
cheeks-remorse, perhaps, for fancied
sins
The breeze from the high window
lifted caressingly the girls brown
hair; the golden filtered light made
of her a sort of little Saint Cecilia,
The Reverend Paul was unaware
of his admiration until the girl opened
wide, surprisede blue eyes.
His ministerial attire drew her at
tention. II beg your pardon" said
Margot. 81 stepped in to rest, and fell
asleep"
Others were coming softly down the
aisle to service now.
81 had been looking for work in a
strange city" she confessed to his in
tereSted gaze Then it occurred to her
that here might be her opportunity to
find assistance.
do you know of anyone in need
Of tYpiSt, sir" AlargOt brought out
the title of respect, in lack of the
proper one.
Paul thought of those confusing notes
at home on his desk; he thought Of
the evenings lecture. Did he know OF
anyone in need of a typist?
evil you see me after service?' he
asked, and hurried up to the desk.
Margot was painStaldngly eager
with her offered references. There
was one from the gray-haired pastor