Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-12

as ! t8l IL, HeSl1dtAA-3t e-1<SSAA<SAs
met my business friend Sellers
Gracious, Quoter, are you slckF he asked
'Never better.n
"You are as pale as sheet" said he
I went slowly up the aisle There was an
occupant in the Ridgeway pew! Ny heart
beat fast; Miss Blanche's answer was yes!
When came opposite the pew looked at
the lady with the sweetest smile could call
up. To my ine1pressihle establishment
found myself smiling at Miss Mary!
Never had been so astonlshed or 50 dis
appointed Yet, perhaps, it was al chance.
The hour was earlyand the church almost
empty. A few persons occupied distant
pews As I sat down by Miss Mary, feared
she would observe my confusion
Good morning. / said N greeting. with
all the GOODNESS at my command
''Good morning, sir" she sad, demureiy.
'Miss Blanche is not with you"
sob, she is not coming"
And your
Eyes, / came in her place"
sit can't be-that is-yoU7-
"Why. of course" she replied With tee
pleasanJest smile ever saw.
but surely
"rm SO glad that you came, Ar. Qroter,s
she continued. ''Our pew is generally half
empty"
She glanced at NE snilfnsly, locking like
a ripper and more wornanly Miss Blanche. a
wornans glance can tell so much or-so
little. In this instance it was 50 much.
I paused in thought. Did Miss Mary
know what had passed between her sister
and myself? II not, how was ITO interpret
what she said3 One thing l knew, Miss
Blanche's answer was no, and Miss Mary
was certainly very sweet, very dernure, very
charming. / began TO take very decided
interest ID tasT
AZ am at loss 70 understandn- began
don't you think it's wrong to talk in
church," size whispered.
81 had forgotten where we are, Hiss Mary
Never shall forget that sermon. Yet
DO not remember word OF i'll The preacher
seemed so good and benignant, the singing so
sweet, the tones Of the Or gan so grand, that l
caught myself wondering if / WAS really in
prosy Pittsburg. Once, IN turning over the
leaves of the prayer book, l touched Miss
Mary'S hand, a very white and shapely hand
it was, and the contact thrilled ne in the
strangest manner. But enough Of this. a
few more confessions and the reader viii con-
slider me fool
The service may have been long or short
I cannot recall. Miss Mary nodded to friends
as we went out did not see anybody.
felt the presence Of people about me. that was
all. 1t was pleasant to get into the open air
again, with Miss Mary on my arm
Now, please explain, Miss Mary urged,
tie moment We were alone.
''Explainl" Each of her laughing eyes
was an interrogation point.
Pray, be business like, Miss Maryi Do
you take Miss Blanches placer
''What-a question:" she cried, laughing.
But repeat it ="
'Do 1 take Blanche's place, Mr.. Quoterl
How droll you are! Why, how could IL
very easily"
"Wheres HowF'
"Here Nowl want you to marty me :"
"Mercy, Mr.. Quoter, you must be crazy p
''Quite right said l, but only Temporal
ily so. What is your answer. Miss Maryr'
You're surely joking, Nr. Quoser."
II was never more serious"
'Reallyl'
Really
Then, yes"
s'Good. l like that aaswerl'
81 should hope you did" was the denurs
answer
Il mean I like its straightforwardness"
"And is that all that pleases YOUR
VERY far from it. But one question,
Miss Mary: Did you know had asked your
sister to be my wifeF'
looked up into the sweet girls face ex-
pectantly. Her flushed cheeks. her bright
eyes, were very pleasant to look upon.
II have answered your most important
question, sir" she said, biting her lip, and
think that should satisfy you"
st does, Mary; but am just q little curl
Gus"
She looked at me with dancing eyes, and
tossed her head
Il will tel you one thing" she said,
archly.
II am listening"
Il GO TO church regularly every Sabbath. :"
I confess that this answer was not alto
gether satisfactory, but I have never been
able to get a better one. 4 few months
afterward we were married. Mary has
made me en- excellent wife, and | feel as
sured that few blind orders are so well filed
rs mine. as TO Mary's views On the subject,
/ cannot say.-E D. Mason IL Piutsburs
Bulletin.
o--a- " r.. AL