Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1883-05-24

they found it impossible to obtain any
satisfaction: he was very polite, and he
did not saw that he would not, but che
smilingly put the question by"
One day he surprised Miss Barton by
inviting her to an exchange of pulpits for
the following Sunday; but that was in
harvest-time. and she had come to
Scragg End in June. Even Ponkapaw-
ket had become accustomed to the idea
of woman preacher, If 1t did not ap-
prove of it.
He had found her sitting on the piaz-
| "a on a warm afternoon in late Septem-
Der. She had a large basketful of
stockings beside her, and she was darn
inc them diligently. Some were her
own. some were AdOniram Hewitt'S
and Lysander's, for Roxy had gone on a
visit. and Mrs. Hewitt's hands were
more than full. She looked rs house,
wifely as if she had never aimed at any
wider sphere. The shadow Of smile
flickered about Mr. Ericson's mouth as
he observed her employment. Although
Miss Barton looked up only as polite
ness required, she saw the smile, and 1t
brought flush to her cheek. Though
she looked SO strong and resolute, 1t
was evident that Miss Barton was Keen
" sensitive. He sat down beside her,
and Immediately proffered his request,
perhaps as an antidote to the smile.
"Your people will be shocked. They
don't approve of me- said Miss Bar
ton. And shouldn't have the cour-
age"
II never suspected you of any want
of courage" said Mr.. Ericsson.
II am a dreadful coward. l don't
think fully realized it when I began.
If | had been sent anywhere but to
Scragg End, l don't know what l should
have done. Here they are humble
minded people, without strong preiu-
dices, and do seem to have found the
| way to their hearts. But | am afraid l
should never dare to enter another pull
pit-certainly not yours ut Ponkapaw-
ket."
"You would soon conquer there as
YOU have conquered here sad Mr..
| Ericsson
Il couldn't endure their unfriendly
gaze. | should display all my woman
ishness. | should blush. l should
tremble, l might faint l should be a
stumbling block to the women who are
following in the same pathway. l
don't mean to lie that. My work in
Scragg End sulices me. and am so
thankful for it
Il am sorry YOU feel so about Ponk-
apawket, because l have PROPOSE
ton in my mind much more audacious
than the one that l made,' said Mr..
Ericsson.
Miss Barton raised her eyes inquiring
ly, and dropped them again instantly
under the minister's gaze.
y thought we might unite the
churches Mr.. EricsOn's voice trem-
bled little, as if he were afraid.
Il don't see how it could b. DONE
said Miss Barton, frigidly.
"Of course, there is but one way
said Mr. Ericsson, quietly. 81 dared not
ask you to be my wife without suggest
ing to you the fact that your work need
not be given up"
The girl rose to her feet. Lysander's
stocking fell from her hand and was
blown away by the wind unheeded. Il
don't know what have done to deserve
this-this insult. l thought that at
least You respected me, and l thought
my calling made me sacred from SUCH
such attacks altogether"
Il am sorry that you should think it
an insult. can hardly see how man
could give you better proof of his re-
spect than to ask you to become his
wife. And as for your calling making
/ hA1 in w
celibacy of the clergy, you know" In
spite of his evident modification and
distress, there was sly twinkle in Mr..
Ericson's eye as he said that.
but IL am 4 woman" said Miss
Barton sitting down again, and cover
ing her face with her hands.
"The more reason why you should be
married." said Mr.. Ericsson, calmly.
You need a protector"
Il am perfectly sufficient for my
self. And shall never care for any
body-anything-but my work. "
| Mr.. Ericsson arose. II am sorry to
have troubled you,' he said. gently. Il
love you, and have never known what
my excuse.
Miss Barton watched him as he went
down the road, with the yellow leaves
falling upon him. She observed, as she
had never done before, how finely his
head was set upon his broad shoulders,
| what manly grace there was about his
strong, well-knit figure.
''But he has no business to love me,
she said, drawing her brows into tight
frOwn.
Then suddenly she remembered Ly-
sanders stocking, and went down in the
grass to look for it. 1t had blown over
the fence into the field She stretched
her arm between the Stats and drew it
back. AS she did SO she caught sight of
Lysander. He was gathering squashes
and pumpkins on the little south hill;
she saw his figure in silhouette against
the sky. He started to come toward the
house, and she waited for him-waited
Until sudden thought sent fame of
color over her face.
sit can't be" she said, half aloud.
inquiringly. II aoiH keep that out
of my life. 1 won't be a failure! l
won't be-" And she rushed up to her
room and locked herself in.
She came down as calm and grave as
ever when the tea-bell rang, and after
te:. she and Lysander read their daily
quantity of Greek, for Lysander was
pursuing his studies with renewed avid
ity since he had companion to help
him, and had not yet given up his long
cherished hope of studying for the min
istry, though there seemed no prospect
of his being able to leave the farm.
After that Miss Barton devoted her
self more zealOusly than ever to her
work. She darned no more stockings.
When she was not writing her sermons
Il