Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-02-11

"They are kind to you, are they not'"
he asked
"Yes, they are kind, but" and she
stopped abruptly; :, -. !, he
said encouragingly.
They do not care for me-" she an
swered, with great tears In her violet
eyes. They do not love me-and
nothing can live without care and love,
she added.
The minister's heart was swelling un-
der his coat but he kept very calm.
How old are your" he asked quietly.
II am nineteen"
"Why not leave themr You are not
obliged TO stay"
II have no home. no place to GO to-"
she answered sadly.
"Come to me-" said the minister.
She looked at him wonderingly mo-
him.
When she lifted her head from its nest
in his gray coat her eyes were glowing,
and the sweet, pale face was beautined,
TRANSPORTED.
Where did YOU get that bunch of
berriesg" he asked, touching it careless
ly, as little CLEAN of sunlight looked
through an opening in the trees and
Toasted moment on its warmth and
brightness.
Il found 1t lying alone in the road, and
/ took it up--as you have taken me" she
answered, softly.
The bright tints that were gathering
in the west warned her that supper-time
was approaching, and the minister took
the pail of butter from its resting place
at the end of the log, and they were
soon at the Deacon's gate. TIL Deacon
was in the barn-yard feeding the fowls,
and the minister went out there. Me-
LISA went to the kitchen. Johnnie sat
on the steps with piece Of apple-pie
in his hand, and she bent down and soft
ly kissed his brown cheeks.
Have you been a courtin', Melissa"
he asked, looking at her wonderingly.
bet you have, cause your eyes look
just like Della's when Tom Riggs comes
to see her"
Melissa laughed, and went in the house.
How are you, Mr.. Ridgely?" said the
Deacon, as the minister entered the
barn-yard. at has been a fine day, sir,
a very fine day. How is the new pulpit
getting ONT"
have not been in. the church to-
day." answered the minister, ALMOST i'm
patiently. al came to ask you, Deacon
that is, to speak with you about Miss
Perry"
About Melissa?" asked the Deacon,
with surprise.
About Melissa" answered the min
lister.
"Mr. Ridgely," said the Deacon with a
frightening face, 81 have tried to do my
duty by that girl. pray for her morn
ing and night at family worship, and i
have several times prayed with her alone
for more than quarters of an hour
at a time. j never let Sunday pass
without speaking to her about the con-
Germs of her soul, and yet she remains in.
different. She is growing hardened, and
lately have noticed"
You have noticed nothing of the
kind" interrupted the minister. Then
he said abruptly: Deacon, i have
asked Miss Perry to be my wife, and as
she has been member of your family
for several years feel it is my duty to
acquaint YOU"
"Your wifem exclaimed the astonished
Deacon, "Why, Mr.. Ridgely, she is my
help, my bound girl"
"She is the daughter of the late Max
well Perry" said the minister, quietly.
"But, sir, what will the church sayS"
81 really do not know" answered the
minister in tone that meant Il really
do not care"
She is from a good family" con-
| tinued the Deacon, but she is not a
church member, and fear the congrega-
ton"
IF 20
the Bloomington church." said the minis
ter slyly.
"Oh, no, mop cried the alarmed Dea-
con, "you must not think of leaving us,
Mr. Ridgely The church has never been
in so prosperous condition, spiritually
and Temporal Don't speak of leaving,
Mr.. Ridgely. AS to your marrying Me
LISA, am perfectly willing | only
thought-but there Is the supper bell.
Come up to the house"
Words fail to describe the amazement
of the Lyntonians when they knew for
surety that their minister intended to
marry Deacon Osgood's help. A few
among whom were Martha Samson and
Amarantha Peabody--hinted that he had
better resign, but they were ordered to
keep their hints TO themselves by the
more sensible ones, who, when they re-
covered from the shock, went TO work to
find house suitable for parsonage.
They decided upon cottage opposite
the church, for which they paid the sum
of two thousand dollars.
The wedding took place Christmas
morning i'm the church. The minister
took mis- bride to his aunts for weeks
visit, and when they returned TO Lynton
the congregation had forgotten that Mrs.
Judson Ridgely was once bound girl,
and received her with open arms. They
have never regretted their minister's
choice.--Houseltod Nagazine.