The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1896-12-25


: the door opened and Rev. Edward
Dayton walked into the room.
Now Rev. Edward was tall, he
was young, he had pair of
we'll opened, honest blue eyes, his
fair hair showed decided symptoms of
curling, when it was allowed to grow
beyond the orthodox clerical length,
his features were distinctly Greek in
their outline, and his figure would have
done credit to any young athlete; his
clerical garb was well cut, and of the
finest cloth, and when to these attrac-
tions were added particularly frank
and charming manner, and most fas-
cinating laugh, it can readily be under
stood why the new rector of ST. Boni-
face. Chicago. was SO popular with his
congregation, and SO adored by the
feminine portion thereof.
. Consequently when he entered the
rectory drawing-room on the afternoon
in question, where 16 pretty girls were
employed in dressing dolls for the
Christmas bazaar, and, in an incidental
manner, enjoying the excellent tea and
cake dispensed by his maiden aunt, it
was not to be wondered at that his APP
pearance caused little thrill of excite
.nent to pass through the circle of fair
workers.
The rector had only been at ST. Boni-
face pine months, but already he was
OH fairly intimate terms with the ladies
Of his congregation, especially the
young girls, SO without any preliminary
he stated his errand.
81 am in fearful fix he announced,
in very boyish and unclerica, man
ner. "And l want one of you young
ladies to help me out of it,
The offers of assistance were many
and prompt, but the rector still looked
worried and anxious.
You see it is just this way" he be-
gan. balancing his spoon across the
edge OF his cup, and gazing at it intent
ly. Il have: suddenly been called away
on some errand for the bishop and it
will be impossible for me to get back
to Chicago for Christmas day."
He paused here. and storm of ex-
clamation and regrets was poured
forth, in the midst of which saucy
young voice was heard to eXciaim:
And you want US to write your
Christmas sermon for you? How per-
fectly charming. l have always fam
cied it must be most delightful to stand
up in a pulpit and deliver nicely point
ed little moral aXioms - always, of
course, carefully pointed at some one
else
And the speaker. slight. graceful
little blonde, with a piquant express
sion. and pair of mischievous blue
eyes, shot a half-laughing, half-defiant
look at the handsome young rector.
who Redeemed slightly as he replied in
rather constrained tones: MANY
thanks. Miss Evelyn, but won't trouble
you to that extent. have arranged
to have one of Mr.. Brooke's cnrates
take the services for me, but he leaves
directly after the morning service, to
go to one of the mission churches. and
you see l had promised to devote Christ
mas afternoon to the patients of the
Home for Incurables' and they have
counted on having some one read to
them and make the afternoon a little
bright; and can't find anyone to take
my place; everyone wants to be at
home on Christmas day, so l must tell
the poor things that cannot keep my
promise-unless-"
He broke off hesitatingly, and looked
entrcatingly at the bevy of fair dam
sells before him.
But they all began with one accord |
to make excuse.
One was $50 sorry, but she hadprom- |
ised months ago to go to matinee on
,GnristmaS afternoon, and couldn't |
break the engagement" another 'felt |
Just awfufiy to refuse Mr.. Dayton any
thing" the last. with a melting glance J