The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1893-06-27

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Sturgis had come into the shop and
had asked his father If Karl would not
like to go to the mission Sunday-school
on Carmine street, in which she was
very much interested, and his father,
who would have gone through fire and
food to please customer, SO fearful
was he of losing a dollars worth of
trade, had said that Karl would certain
ly be there on the following Sunday.
From that time on he saw her more
frequently, and his infatuation in
creased In proportion. She taught a
class of small boys across the aisle
from where he usually sat, and on
more than one occasion the maiden
lady who presided over the group of
larger boys, of which he was one, was
compelled to demand with some en-
phasis his return to the business of the
hour, his gaze having a way of wander
ing repeatedly from his catechism or
his Bible to the face of the pretty little
teacher In the opposite pew.
One incident that he recalled with
some pleasure had occurred on Sun
day afternoon In early spring. He had
aoticed that Mrs. Sturgis was not
present in the chapel; that Madeline
lad come alone; and he had wondered
all through the lesson whether 1t
would seem rude on his part, after the
slose of the session. to offer to walk
home with her. If he only could, he
thought, 1t would be the happiest day
Of his life; but he feared that she might
think him impudent and presuming,
and, when the school was dismissed,
and the scholars and teachers fled out
INTO the street, he lacked the courage to
go forward and speak to her.
| But his happiness had come, never
| theless; for, in following her at what
he considered most respectful dis
stance, his eyes never once leaving her
1.-THE young figure, clad in well-htting
| spring jacket that his father had cut
with his own hand, he had seen her
rudely jostled by drunken man, and
had dashed to her aid almost before he
realized what he was doing. The rec
objection of her gratitude was one of
his most cherished memories; and now,
as he turned into Washington place, he
was thinking of how, on that occasion,
her manner was SO cordial and SO COM
pletely lacking in any indication that
she recognized any difference whatever
in their social station.
He remembered that it was on that
day that his determination to study for
the ministry was formed, and that it
grew out of her telling him that the
assistant minister at the mission had
dined with them on the evening before.
1.-THE day will come, he had thought,
when 1. too, may be asked there to
dine"
And now he was thinking that day
might not be so far distant; for, was he
not going to the mission, the week fol-
lowing, to take the place, temporarily,
of that very same assistant minister,
Rev. Mr.. David, who, he had heard,
was to be married and go to Europe for
three months honeymoon tour?
Yes, it was true, as Lord Beacons-
field had said: ANY man may be what
he makes up his mind to be-
BY the time young Engfer reached
the Sturgis residence he had walked
and thought himself out of the gloom
Of his blues and his self-chidings into
the radiant sunshine of a hope deferred
that was on the verge of realization,
and he whistled softly merrier air
than was to be found in the hymnal as
he tripped lightly down the stone steps
of the area way and rang the bell.
It was his intention to hand in the
bundle and to make off as quickly as
possible. He had no notion of being
recognized, and above all he wished to
avoid the possibility of request to
wait in the dining-room, as he had of
yore, the verdict as to fit. In making
these plans he had counted upon the
bell being answered by housemaid,
and when, instead of a servant, the
door was opened by Miss Sturgis her.
self, his mode of procedure was, of
necessity, somewhat altered. To es-
cape recognition was out of the ques-
ton, and, as be realized that in his eff
fort to serve the woman he most cared
to please he had put himself in posi-
ton that was likely to lower him in her
estimation, he blushed to the roots Of
his faxen hair.
"Why, Mr.. Engfer," she exclaimed,
81 am so sorry you went to this
troublelh
well, you see THAT is, father" he
stammered, Thought that possibly you
were expecting it, and"
"Yes, was expecting it." Miss
Sturgis put in; Sin fact / was very
anxious for it. / couldn't wait for
Della to get to the door; but had no
idea that you would have to bring it."
II was coming this way" Karl pre-
varicated, land offered"
won't you come inP'' the young
woman interrupted again. "You can
spare moment, can't you? We sha'n't
treat you as an errand boy, you know"
and she laughed in way that made
young Engfer hesitate between embar-
rassment and pleasure.
''I'm afraid" he began to protest,
that /, can't stop this evening. /,
have"
'sJust minute" Miss Sturgis pleaded.
"You must let me thank you for your
trouble; and then, want to congratu-
late you, too"
Karl followed her into the dining
room, where the table was spread for
dinner.
''Sit down." she said. and she drew
chair out for him and another for her
self Now, Mr. Engfer," she went on,
81 am awfully obliged to you for having
brought me my habit"
AS the young man looked at her in
the soft light cast by the pink shades
that adorned the candles in the candel-
abra he thought he never before real
lied how beautiful she was. She was
so bright this evening, too--so cheer
ing-and, what was dearer to him than
all else, she was really almost familiar.
The chasm which had once seemed so
wide between them was growing
narrower and narrower. There was no
doubt of that Once he was ordained
the breach might easily be closed en-
tirely.
And now" she went on, II want to
offer you my congratulations upon the
good news heard to-day that you are
coming to the mission to take Mr..
David's place"
Karl could not believe that he heard
Alright. Could it be that she was actu-
ally pleased that Mr.. David was going
away? At one time during the latter
part of his attendance at the mission
Sunday-school he had thought that she
cared something for the young divine,
and he had really been little jealous
of him.
"You are very kind, Miss sturgis,' he
said, very kind. Do you take as much
interest in the mission as formerly?"
ooh, dear, yes. More than everl''
'Then suppose shall see good
deal of you there?"
''Of me2' she asked, supposedly.
"Oh, you don't know, thenl Why,
thought everyone knew. Haven't you
heard whom Mr.. David is going to
rnarru2n