Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-08-30
LOST ELOQUENCE.

She was queer little woman; there
was no doubt about it-a little dowdy
creature, barely five feet high, with
small face and big forehead and visit
full gray eyes that always seemed to be
asking questions; such contrast to her
brother, the big handsome archdeacon,
who gained all hearts with his charm
ing manners and winning smile and
won golden opinions from everybody for
his eloquent sermons
His sister lived with him, and people
rather pitied him on that account. Miss
Merrifield was SO shy, SO difficult to get
on with. She never had word to say
for herself and apparently had no ideas
beyond district visiting and needlework.
One of the greatest of the archdea-
cons many admirers was the dean s
daughter, Ella St. Glare Ella was a
beauty, and she knew it.
Moreover, she was an heiress for her
mother, who had died when Ella was
quite child, had left her a consider
able fortune, which was to come into
her sole possession as soon as she at
tanned her majority.
She had enjoyed the command Of this
money for some three years now and
had hitherto shown no inclination to
share it with anybody else.
Artillery officers from the neighbor-
ing garrison had come and gone and
had laid themselves and their gorgeous
uniforms at her feet in vain Ella was
nothing if not strictly ecclesiastical, al
though, of course, ordinary Wears and
curates were as little eligible as artil-
lery officers. Moreover, she worshiped
intellect, and the average man is, gen.
orally speaking, hardly to be described
by the term intellectual.
The hero of Elias day dreams was
one who would sway the hearts Of thou
sands with his eloquence and gain a
world wide reputation by reason of his
brilliant and unusual talents.
1t was unfortunate that she could not
get on with Miss Mortified. With
youthful impetuosity Ella had decided
after her very first interview with the
archdeaoon's sister that the latter was
an impossible old person" whom it
was not worth taking the trouble to
know. Ella thoroughly understood the
art of dressing we'll and could not I'M
derstand or sympathize with poor Miss
Merrifield for never having acquired it.
The year after the Merriields came
to Roxton the bishop lost his young
wife under very sad circumstances.
They had only been married a short
time, and she died of rapid decline.
On the Sunday following the funeral
the archdeacon was announced to
preach, and it was generally expected
that he would make some illusions to
the sad event. Nor were these expecta-
tions disappointed. The text was, GAS
one whom his mother comforteth, SO
will I comfort thee," and from this
the archdeacon preached sermon
which went straight to all hearts.
There were no fine phrases in it, nc
vague speculations on the glories Of the
hereafter, no quotations from the poets.
The words he spoke were very simple
and direct and such as the poorest
could understand, but their pathos and
tenderness thrilled and touched those
who listened till the whole congrega-
tion seemed to have but one heart,
throbbing with keenest sympathy.
AS the archdeacon came out through
the cloisters afterward OH his way to
his own house groups outside made
way for him in reverent silence, and it
was almost shock to them to hear the
same ringing, musical voice which had
Just thrilled them in the cathedral adj
dressing Miss st. Glare with a request
that she would come to tea with him
self and his sister the following after
noon.
Less than fortnight afterward he1
engagement to the archdeacon was an
nounoed, piece Of news which gave
unusual satisfaction, as it justified
everybody's expectations.
Poor little Miss Merrifeld, who had
seen what was going on from the very
first and had shed many secret tears al
the thought Of parting from her idol
lied brother, schooled herself to re-
ceive the announcement with the requi.
site manifestations Of pleasure, and, as
Ella declared afterward, really con-
graduated me quite prettily."
A few days after, however, Ella sur
prised her in tears, leaning over her lit
tie old fashioned davenport, with a
bundle of manuscript paper before her,
which she thrust away from her when
she perceived her future sister in-law.
II believe your sister is writing a
novel," Ella said to her betrothed after.
ward.
The archdeacon started and frowned.
Impossible, he said CURLY,
Ella laughed. "Why impossible?'
she demanded gayly. But, as Mr.. Merri-
field made no reply, with her usual tact
she changed the subject.
The wedding came off in due course
and was as brilliant and successful al
could have been wished.
Miss Merrifeld was for once in her
life nicely dressed. Ella herself having
chosen her costume and superintendent
the making thereof, but she looked
smaller and more fragile than ever. She
made no violent demonstrations Of grief
at parting. Her big, handsome brother,