The Forrest City times., 1891-03-20
Sir Radolph Haines felt a keen pa.e


 shot; and to Minnie's surprise, he was as devoted as ever. It was an odd life the young girl led after this evening. She was in con- stant correspondence with Henry, and held fast to her resolve to be good; but ! while every letter spurred her on to higher aims and new efforts, every in- terview with Sir Rudolph drew her back to the gay world again. Rich, beautiful, and courted, it was no wonder that the eattractions offered her tempted by their false glitter and while her charities and kindly care of many pensioners were her peace-otfer ings to her resolution of goodness, her dress was as rich, her voice as gay and her step as ready for the waltz as ever.
 Mir. 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 on 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 q spirit tunquenched by phy sui fering, mind devoted to one cause and one work.
 With pitying eyes the congregation watched the dropping figure of their be- loved pastor as 1t daily grew weaker; while over Minnie's bright life q pail seemed suddenly to fall.
 Dicl Every body spoke of his death as a certain and not far-distant event. Diel her friend, her counsellor. her guide to every pure and holy aspira- tion of her lifel She turned sick over the possibility; and then sparing her sell no maiden pang. she read her heart truly, He had never spoken to her of love nevergiven hermore than friend ly interest; and she knew that, unask- ed and unsought. she had given the deformed minister the love Sir Ru- dolph Haines vainly sought to win.
 Poor, deformed, and sickly he had won what her handsome suitor would have given all his wealth to gain.
 It was late one summer afternoon, and Minnie was dreaming away the twilight i'll her own room, when she saw a figure in deep mourning coming slowly up the garden walk 1t was no new sight; for the old minister's widow Henry's mother, was Il frequent and welcome visitor at Mir Stokes house. Everybody was out: and Minnie es- corted the old lady to her own room, took of her bonnet, found her the easiest chair, and then sat down on a stool at her feet for u long chat. Motherlcss herself, the young girl was very fond of Henrv's only surviving parent.
 Minnie" said the old lady strokins tho black clustering curls, and looking into the fair face raised to hers. Il have come to make strange request to-day. l want you to go away to your Aunt Jane's until after you are married"
 Go away, Marriedl" cried the as- tonished girl.
 .You are engaged to Sir Rudolph Haines, are you not? You will be his wife soons"
 'sNeverl"
 ''I was mistaken, then. Still, 1 inn plore you, take your lovely face. for time from Fairwater. Perhaps after while---Ohl Minnie, Minnie, spare me my only son."
 Tell me what you mean? Quick Tell meg
 Do you not see how he loves you, Do you not sec that he is dying of hopeless lover"
 s.Ia va,.av >lI ,,.a
 Mono; how could hef He, the dwarfed, deformed, poor parson; you--p
 T, so unworthy of his noble heart, his holy affection!"
 .Minnie-Minnie. do not mock mel" and the aged hands grew tremulous.
 Mother she whispered: may I call you mothers"
 'Well," said Mrs. Lovejoy, as she took of her bonnet, "I never ex- pected to see Henry Wood look as he did this morning when he stood at the altar with Minnie. He is new man; and she looked lovely He is horribly deformed though; so, after all, as 1t was years ago, she Is still Beauty to his"
 .Huskl cousin;" and Lou's soft hand stoppsd the word on Mrs Love joys lips. ''She has chosen well"
 But the merry laugh. long stilled. rang out at the parsonage as Henry said caressing his wife's curls, "You know, beauty, the Beast was dying when the fair lady promised to marry him. Unfortunately the promise has wrought no transformation today"
 Tenderly the little hand fell on tie disfigured hnmp as Minnie whispered, My dear husband, has not God made perfect soul even in this poor sui fering bodys Ah. my darling, believe me. no beauty could be, to me. so lovely as the holy life have seen led by one tried in the furnace of atfliction Us you have been"
 And so the sorry jest passed by, and the minister's wife followed humbly in the paths her husband trod in his Masters service
 SCARk DIN THAT RARkED