St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-12-26

lng-Or chatterlng-
like magpies, when
the door opened and Rev. Edward
Dayto walked into the room.
Now Rev. Edward was tall, he
was young, he had a pair of
well 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-
lions were added particularly frank
and charming manner, and most fas-
cinatiDg laugh, it can readily be under
stood why the new rector Of st. Boni-
face, Chicago. was 50 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 l6 pretty girls were
employed in dressing dolls for the
Christmas bazar, and, in an incidental
manner, enjoying the excellent tea and
cake dispensed by his maiden aunt, 1t
was not to be wondered at that his ap-
pearance caused little thrill Of excite
ment TO pass through the circle of fair
workers.
The rector had only been at st. Boni-
face nine months. but already he was
OH fairly intimate terms with the ladies
of his congregation, especially the
young girls. 50 without any preliminary
he stated his errand.
Il am in a fearful fix" he announced,
in q very boyish and uncIerical man
ner. "And I 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
". Il have suddenly been called away
on some errand for the bishop and il
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 exclaim:
'And you want VI to write your
Christmas sermon for your How per-
fectly charming. have always fan
cied it must be most delightful to stand
up in . 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 . piquant express
sion, and q pair Of mischievous blue
eyes. shot half-laughing. half-dehant
look at the handsome young rector,
who REDEEMED slightly as be replied in
rather constrained tones: .Many
thanks, Miss Evelyn. but won't trouble
you to that extent. have arranged
to have one of Mr.. Broo1ke's curates
take the services for me, but he leaves
directly after the morning service. to
60 to one of the mission churches, and
you see had promised TO devote Christ
mas afternoon to the patients Of the
Home for Incnrables' 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 must tell
the poor things that I cannot keep my
promise-unless-"
He broke OF hesitatingly. and looked
entrcatingly at the bevy of fair dam
sells before him.
But they oil began with one accord
70 make excuse.
One was so sorry. but she had prom
Used months ago to 60 to matinee on
Christmas afternoon, and couldn't
break the engagement" another "felt
just awfully to refuse Mr.. Dayton any
thing" the last. with . melting glance
from pair Of big brown eyes. ''but
grandmamma was coming TO spend the
day. and II would seem % disrespect-
full to leave her."
A third was taking part ii con-
cert their guild was to give on New
Years ere. and she had promised Mr..
Trevor faithfully to practice his &C
compartment with him ON Christmas
afternoon; he was 60 anxious to be
wen up in his part Of the trio"
A fourth girl wished dear Mr.. Day
ton would ask her something else, for
she would just love to help him, but
really &c made her . dismal, seeing
tAoss poor souls suffer, that mamma
bad positively forbidden hse t. s.
eeaiR-