The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1885-09-18
THg MIDLAND JOURNAL.

out the psalms and hymns, with his
mead so close to hers. OF all creatures,
went on Mrs. Elliott, energetically, 81
DO dislike male coquette!"
"Dear me, Julia" said Aunt Sophia,
with mild remonstrance "I don't s'pose
he ever thinks of such a thing!"
"Then he ought to think of it. Some
one ought to speak to him."
Meek Aunt Sophia picked currants in
perplexed silence.
II don't really think he ought to
trife with my poor Minerals feelings
and she is sensitive, too" resumed the
widow.
II never did pretend to understand
young folks, when love and courtship
were in the business, said Aunt Sophia
L" But it would be fine thing for
Minerva.
I'D be proud to be the minister's
mother-in-law," said Mrs. Elliott, exult-
ant at the remote possibility. "And
Minerva is smart girl. You ought to
hear her talk about Scripture and theol-
ogy! Why, Mr.. Leroy himself was
astonished!"
81 should think very likely" said
Aunt Sophia, dryly.
Minerva had never been her favorite
niece-she had lectured Aunt Sophia too
often for sleeping in church, eating
fennel seed, singing out of time, and
other venial sins.
81 don't know what to do about it. "
said Mrs. Elliott ct wish somebody
would speak to Mr.. Leroy, and tell him
plainly what his duty is.
"Haven't We picked most currants
enough?" hazarded Aunt Sophia.
dispose SO, said Mrs. Elliott, sharply.
"You never had the trials of a family,
Sophia, and they come hard, though my
girls are pretty good girls, after all.
Minerals quite model, and Bessie's
well enough, if she would sober down
little.
"Don't be everlastin1y finding fault
with Bessie, pleaded her Aunt Sophia.
"She is a NICE sweet-tempered little
girl, and if you want her to put on
spectacles and take to the doctrine of
lost souls, I don't. like her better just
as she is"
And the two elderly ladies went in,
with their bowl of sparkling red currants,
leaving their unseen auditor still sitting
among the cherry boughs, with her
bright brown curls all blown about, and
the scarlet velvet Of her lips deeper and
ruddier than ever.
"Dear mel" thought Bessie, "here's
revelation-our Minerva in love I
didn't know women who wore spectacles
ever did fall in love. And Mr.. Leroy
male coquette! Well, I never should
have thought that of Mr.. Leroy. I
really think, as mamma says, some one
ought to speak to him. I'm q great
mi to speak to him myself" and
fired with the arder of her new plan,
Bessie slid nimbly down from her perch
in the cherry tree to the great astonish-
ment of her friends, the robins, and ran
into the house.
81 won't stop to consult mother or
aunty," thought eager Bessie, "for L
know they'd think ought not to speak,
just because I'm only sixteen years
old"
So Miss Bessie stole like white
mouse along the hall, and tapped softly
ct Mr.. Leroys study door.
"Come in," called out the clear, SON.
orous voice of the young clergyman.
Not until our Bessie was fairly in the
room aid she fully realize the awkard-
ness of her position. Il en-, with the
roses man ling on her cheek, and her
head hung down, she stood o pretty
picture of maiden confusion.
IN Miss Bessie" said Mr.. Leroy,
abstractedly. glancing up from his paper.
and frightening visibly when he saw
who it was, II am happy to see such
little sunbeam in my gloomy old study.
Sit down"
"No, sir, I can't stay" said Bessie,
taking courage. 81 only came to speak
to you, sir, about-about being mar
RED"
About being married." echoed Mr..
Leroy, in genuine establishment.
"Yes, sir" went on Bessie, twisting
her fingers together; 1.-the people in
the parish think you could do so much