Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1882-11-11

tlemen, VINO were walking up and
down the boards to gain their daily
two miles of exercise, stopped short !;
and specialized, grave-looking young
man, who was talking with lady just
beyond, glanced around, as if he
fancied that he was personally in
terested.
"Do you want the-clergyman ?"
said the hotel clerk, doubtful, yet
polite.
SIS it stone-mason or chimney
swape I'd be manin', dye think?' re-
torted Nora, beginning to imagine that
she was being made game of.
81 am the clergyman" said the spec
tacled gentleman, stepping courteously
forward at this juncture. SIS there
anything can do for you?''
"Miss Matty Rice's compliments"
said Nora, without in the least abating
the shrillness of her voice, "an' she
| WdnIS W DOTrOW you.
II beg your pardon" said Mr.. Fon-
taine, "but-I'm not quite sure that
understand you, my good woman 2"
1'm spakin' the English language,
sure" said Nora, somewhat affronted.
"She wants to borrow you"
"But what for?" said the parson,
ignoring the filters of the group which
was now fast gathering on the veran-
dah.
"To amuse herself wild this rainy
day." said Nora. "You're to come
back wild me, phase, 1 was to bring
you. Miss NIatty Rice's compliments,
and"
"Really," said Mr.. Fontaine, ''this is
very strange"
"The Rices live in the little S.xiss
oo++nc,~ L. rr',. ---,'-'.' ~-o6-N~
the hotel clerk. "Gentleman goes up
and down to the city every day. Keeps
little pony carriage, with"
"You're to come back wild me,
please" said Nora. "'The Rectory,' or
The Country Parson.' Miss Matty
Rice's compliments, and"
Mr.. Fontaine, hurriedly surveying
the situation in his minds eye, decided
that it was better to obey this strange
behest.
And putting on his waterproof wrap,
and arming himself with light silk
umbrella, he accompanied Nora Nc
Shane, to the great buzzing and whis-
pering of the group on the verandah.
Miss Rice was istlessly watching
Eveleen's embroidery, as the door
bounced open and Nora rushed in, ex-
claiming:
"Here he isl I've brought himl'
drought whom ?" said Matty, in sur
prise.
"The country parson," said Nora.
"There wasn't no rectory. l inquired
for it, but it wasn't built"
'fWhat on earth is the girl talking
about?" said Matty, in amazement.
And then Mr.. Fontaine walked in,
holding his hat in his hand.
81 am the clergyman" said he. "Can
1 be of any use?"
Matty colored deep cherry-pink.
"Oh, dear, 1 am so sorryP she
faltered; "but there is some dreadful
mistake here. / sent Nora to the hotel
to borrow book, and she has brought
me back-a man r
"a books" said Mr.. Fontaine.
"Yes," said Matty, trying harder and
harder to keep back her laughter as
the comic side of the circumstance
forced itself upon her. "'The Recrea-
tions of Country Parson.' Mr.. Paul
Winton has it."
Mr.. Fontaine began to laugh. So
did Matty and Eveleen; and in five
minutes they were the best friends in
the world. Mr.. Fontaine stayed to
lunch, and they never knew how that
long, rainy morning whirled itself
away, until at last the blue riffs of sky
spread their banners above the pine
trees on old Sky-Top, and every shining
drop was transformed into tiny rain
bow.
n. Uontaina oon,a oftan after that