Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1895-11-22

we nave congcnial tastes. L could
mako his parsonage all it ought to be.
was ma'lc for minister's wife, and
should have beon ono if. that flossy-
haired little flirt of Gabrielle rhomp-
son hadn't gone into the Bible class.
Such wife for Clergyman rs she'd
be! Oh, dear! 1 like him so. We'll,
it's my cross, I suppose. I'll try not
to think about it-but it's so absurd
for him. Bless me! there's n bug of
somo kind coming down the tree, aud
two men up the path. What will they
think Of me here all alonc!" And off
she hurried.
About moonrisc [ saw coming up
the path II man. lie had thin face,
with very small blue eyes, n very long
nose, very long chin, very vide
mouth, and no whiskers or mu2tachc
Whatever; but face with mild,
pleasant expression, for ali that. As
he snt down, he laid u book upon me,
and ] read upon its cover tho namo
Adoniram Spinner.
This, then, was tho Clergyman
al can't say that ! see my way very
clearly" he said "It is plain tl,at L
am expected by tho congregation to
offer my hand to Thompson's dnugh.
ter, Gabrielle. Her father plninly
desires it. They believe that hive
been paying attention to her. sup
pose | hive. ] mustn't do anything
wrong. Especially must not awaken
hopes in mn innocent young heart to
crush them. merely thought her
child. Still, since | have seemed to
feel more, | must fulfil tho promises
OF my aotions. [ fear J shall not
make her happy, and she is not the
woman | need. There is Miss Crump
now. All what II woman! Had
not unconsciously paid particular ut
tention 10 poor, dear Gabrielle, [
should now be free to--But no matter.
Duty first. Hoigho." And the Rev.
Mr.. Spinner took up his book al de-
parted.
"What fools people are u I said to
myself. knew they'd all como back
again, and so they did. Ono day Gin
brielln and Charles would talk, rs low
ers do, on me. Another, Gabrielle
and her mamma. Miss Crump came,
too. Sometimes the minister cnmo
himself, nnd crossed his legs and con
soled himself with the thought Int he
was doing his duty to Gabrielle.
Once old Thompson came with him,
and told him how, matters once mr.
ranged, he would buy tho handsome
stone house next the church for his
daughter. And Adoniram inquired
whether Gabrielle was really happy in
the prospective union; ana Thompson
old sinncr-snid, every, only she
was shy.
| tried my best to shake him OF.
Id been willing 10 be smashed up,
just 10 have hurt him little
AT last / knew that the day was
fixed. One evening Miss Crump came
to sit on me and weep, and wandered
away i'll The wrong direction in her
aGitntou. And there followed her rs
far rs my post Spinner, whn did not
weep, bat eroanod. And the moon
went mp, ana he sat there still with
his forehead on his umbrella handle,
when IL Shrek was heard, and there
down the path lady, who cried:
ooh, dear! what shall ] do? What
shnll do? I've lost my say, and
it's night"
And it was Miss Crump. And Mr..
Spinner ran to her and said:
"Dcar Miss Crump. don't be afraid"
And Miss Crump sat down upon me
and said:
ooh, Mr.. Spinner, I was so terri.
fed L couldn't find my way, and
there was drunken man in The ar.
Dor. 1t is dreadful to have no one to
take care of you"
And he said-not meaning to speak
SO, but doing it invoinntarily
"lf it were III my power you should
never be without some one TO take
care of you aga;l."
And she started to her feet, and he
stood away from her. Aud she slid:
'You arc engaged to Miss Gabri-
ella" And no said: "Forgiyo me.
My heart spoke. l must crush it, ana
do my duty. Only you know my
secret now"
And Miss Crump burst into tears,
and said:
"We must both forget this Poor
Gabrielle !" And just then two moro
figures came into the moonlight, and
Gabriella's voice cried:
"It is Mr.. Spinner"
And then she came up, leaning on
Charles arm, and said: ''Kind
friend, forgive me-" And he said:
"For what, my child?" And she
said: eve promised TO marry you,
but l can't. love You, but not that
way. wouldn't mako you good
wife. Pa knows | feel SO. And
please let mo OFF, Mr.. Spinner.
Charlie and L nre going AWAY with
each other tonight. And before We
go you will bless us, and-and- mar.
~ us, Mr.. Spinner, and tell pa. /
know you are not in love with me.
and ! guess" And then she looked
at Miss Crump.
"This is all very wrong, I'm
afraid" said Mr.. Spinner "a child
should not deceive her parents. Go
home, my dear"
"Never," said Gabrielle. 'T will
DO Charities wife, ana never part from
him nraln. / have DromiscJ Mr.