The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1876-03-02

chosen, had set their seal upon the
pure, spiritual face Of the young cler-
gyman; and, as he stood up to face
the friends of his early life, there was
q husbed awe went around the church.
The full white robes and hood con-
cea'ed the misshapen figure, and only
the fair face spoke to them of the boy
they had watched grow from child
rood. ...-5' ...r ..... ...
Slowly they dispersed, each won-
'cring ut the eloquencc and piety of
he young devotee; and the next day
Icnry Wood went out from amongst
hem OH his Masters service.
In one of the largest houses in Fair
.'atcr, Minnie Stokes sat, reading a
love letter. Her rich beauty was fully
developed, and every decoration
wealth could give was at her CON-
nand. From the jeweled band that
,eld her clustering curls 10 the dainty
Upper that covered her tiny foot, her
ress was exquisite and costly. She
ad been dressing for large party
hen the letter was brought to her.
With it was bouquet, which she was
nplored to carry, il the answer to
10 suit was . favorable one.
She was offered all that had consti-
ted her world. Her suitor had
wealth, talent and manly beauty; he
adored her, could match her in world
ly position, and give her home as
luxurious as the one she had lived in
from childhood.
~ wonder if / care for him ?" she
said, letting the letter lie open before
her. II Jhave thought much of love.
Ny life has been useless and aimless !;
and now when was thinking l might
be better--when Henry had made me
think-here is new life Of ease and
luxury offered me. / wonder if ]
care enough for Sir Rudolph Haines
to be his wife? He is very hand
some, very devoted; and every VIM
ter, when l have been at Aunt James
he has made the time pass very pleas
antly. l did not think he would fol.
low me here to my quiet country
home. l am very happy; was go
ing to try to be very good-and some
how this letter perplcxes me-"
You will see that she was not very
much in love with the writer, yet he
had been a pleasant companion in her
gay London winters. F.
81 am to carry this bouquet, if l
love him!" she mused. .....
For nearly an hour she sat over the
letter thinking deeply; then she rose,
took the bouquet i'll her hand, and de-
lliberately thrust the flowers into the
| fire, much 10 her maids consterna-
ton.
Sir Rudolph Haines felt a keen
pang when he saw Minnie saunter
into the brilliant drawing room, lean
ing on her fathers arm, empty hand
ed; but he was not a man to drop
after firing one shot; and to Minnie's
surprise, he was rs devoted as ever.
1t WAS an odd life the young girl
led after this evening. She was in
constant correspondence with Henry,
and held fast to her resolve to be
good; but while every letter spurred
her own to higher aims and new ef-
forts. every interview with Sir Ru-
dolph drew her back to the gay world
again.
Mr.. Godfrey Wood died, and his
son was appointed to Fairwater. For
one year he had been absent, and there
was not a heart in his congregation
but felt pang, as he appeared OH the
first Sunday after his return. The
pallid face, hollow eyes, and weary
droop of the mouth told tale of ill.,
ness and suffering that went to every
heart there. AS he proceeded, the
color came slowly back to his hollow
cheeks, and the fire to his eyes; while
his stirring words Of exhortation told
of spirit unquenched by physical
suffering, mind devoted to one cause
and one work.
With plying eyes the congregation
watched the dropping figure of their
beloved pastor as it daily grew weak
err; while over Minnie's bright life a
pail seemed suddenly to fall.
Die! Everybody spoke of his death
as certain and not far-distant event
Die! Her friend, her counselor, her
guide to every pure and holy aspira'
ton of her life! She turned sick over
the possibility; aud then, sparins her.
self no maiden pang, she read her own
heart truly. He had never spoken to
ner Ol lOVc, uCFCI S1NO" "0a A"oA~
than friends interest; and she knew
that, unasked and unsought, she had
given the deformed minister the love
Sir Rudolph Haines vainly sought to
win. .... ..
Poor, deformed and sickly, he had
won what her handsome suitor would
have given all his wealth to gain.
1t was late one summer afternoon.
and Minnie was dreaming away the
twilight in her own room when she
saw q figure in deep mourning COM
ing slowly up the garden walk. II
was no new sight; for the old minis.
ter's widow, Henry's mother, was q
frequent and welcome visitor at Mr.
Stokes house. Every body was out,
and Minnie escorted the old lady to
tther own room, took OF her bonnet,
found her the easiest chair, and then
sat down on a stool at her feet for
lon0 chat. Mothcrless herself, the