The Van Buren press., 1871-12-26
.If you'll not wear that hood"


"Oh, but its more comfortable, and
must. I"
Then you may ride alone.
81 can do that easily but we shall be
late
"Yes, and everybody will stare at you
as you go in. :"
Let them stare 2"
40, as to that l shan't attempt to hin
der them.
Marian laughed
"What time we are having over my
pretty blue hood, she said
"Not so much of q time as we shall
have fancy" Augusta said, drawing on
her gloves
mot such time as we shall have If /
should take another cold, said Marian.
The church was literally packed that
day, that is to say, every seat was filed
from the pulpit to the opposite doors, as
all were anxious to here the young man,
who was native Of their own town, but
nonresident for many years, and who
had gained considerable notoriety for
his eloquence.
Marian was q little late as she had an
ticipated, and as she walked gracefully
up the aisle in her elegant furs, with her
sweet face, many eyes were fixed upon
her, and many thoughts were suggested
as she entered alone the pew Of the
wealthy Judge Carr, her father. Angus
ia 1uttered her lace handkerchief just
then and whispered to Emily a
g Isn't it shame 2" and Emily whis-
percd back, Yes, but it is bew,lderingly
becoming" And the handsome young
minister glanced up from the reading Of
his hymn, which happened to be about
the beauties and glories Of the other
world, and the blue hood and sweet face
caught his eyes, and all at once, and FOR
on instant, it seemed as though he stood
in bed Of roses, meath summer sky;
and he glanced again and again, and his
voice grew deeper and more melodious.
and the young ladies were thinking,
" Isn't he splendid p and the mammas
were repeating the thought. But Mari
an sat with her hands clasped and her
eyes full Of liquid light, while she listen
EN- to the eloquent words of the young
preacher, and the blue hood and every
thing pertaining to it were forgotten.
Several times as she earnestly listened,
she met the dark eyes from the pulpit,
and then the tinge grew shade brighter
on her cheeks and the light little clear
er in her eyes.
The sermon was closed at last. How
short it seemed and then followed the
earnest beautiful prayer aud the benedlc
.ion, and the people began to leave the
chnrch, though many remained to speak
10 and congratulate the young minister.
Among those who waited was Augusta
Carr, decked in plumes and velvets, de
'courc unU svo~ vp','o" -
Young man, who had chosen the ministry
Tor his profession. They were soon
shatting like old acquaintances.
81 should hardly have recognized
you, he said. al hope :your sister is
we'll, take it for granted she is not at
church. F"
"Not quite rs well as usual, said Au-
gusta, evasively. Father expects you
home with me. A bad cold prevented
him from coming out to day. {" -
Mr.. HAYDEN consented and rode over
in Emilys carriage. :,
The three were chatting happily and
merriy together as they sat in their vel
vet lined carriage, when suddenly the
took turn not altogether
to Augusta. With some hes
itancy Mr.. Hayden inquired who was the
lady that wore the blue hood Augusta
nudged Emily, and Emily said some
thing about an "odd freak, and MIR.
HAYDEN opened his eyes eyes wide, and
said it was just the thing for cold day.
and the carriage stopped just then, the
footman opened the door, and Mr., Hay
den and Augusta babe Emily good by and
entered the elegant residence OF Mr.
Carr.
Marian divested Of her wrappings and
blue hood sat quietly reading before the
fire. She rose to greet Mr.. Hayden.
Their eyes and their hands met at the
same time, and strange thrill ran over
them both. Augusta lett the room and
they were alone, .,
"You were at church, to-day" said
Mr.. HAYDEN, =" but | did not know you. y
IL should hardly have recognized
YOU, said Marian, "only that knew !
should see you in the pulpit. y
You wore blue hoodT 2" interroga'
ted Mr.. Hayden.
"Ycs, replied Marian, blushing the
weather was cold and the hood was COM
Portable.
"Yes, and also becoming" he said,
probably forgetting he was minister OF
the gospel. "But how did you dare to
dis6bey the laws Of fashion 7"
81 will obey no laws which are not
consistent and beneficial" +"
"But those are very strange notions
for young lady who has wealth and
beauty.
"Strange because rare, ycrhops. If j
am to be slave, | prefer different mis-
tress from fashion. If am to serve, |
wish to serve to some good end or pur'
pose. "
The young minister smiled approving
". but he said nothing, for Augusta en-
tered then.
"Father is ready to see you." she
said.
81 have found the wearer Of that blue
hood, ho said, and smiling back upon
Marian, was led off 10y Augusta.
"I don't thiuk lost anything by
L ~