The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-01-07

hand, and by and by they were silent,
just for happiness, and because it was
sunset, and the river was fickering
with light, and there was faint stir
of leaves overhead. They were to be
married in a fortnight, and they were
going to have all their lives together
10 say how good life was, 50 there was
no need to talk now.
AS the girl has said, it really was a
very unsatisfactory match. william
West was a man whom everyone hon
ored, and many loved. For fifteen years
he had been settled in Mercer; first as
an assistant to old Mr.. Brown, and then
as rector of the church. But he had
taken his place in the community as
man of strong judgment and high
character; perhaps as a citizen, rather
than as a minister. Men felt that he
was a man, before he was clergy
man; not knowing that his calling had
given him his highest manhood. He
was singularly devoid of clerical affec
tation: consequently the influence of
his own reverence, was not vitiated
by a suspicion of his common sense.
In fact, his sanity in matters religious
joined to his knowledge of human ma
ture, made him man of Importance in
affairs municipal and social. That he
had lived to be forty-tWo, and had not
married, was from no asceticsm; he
was very human person, and fully
intended to have a wife; only, she must
be just what he wanted. And so far,
that mot impossible She" who was to
possess his heart, had never appeared.
When she did, he recognized her i'm
mediately, and would have proposed
to her the next day, had not a feel
ing of diftidence as to her sentiments
deferred him for nearly two weeks. AT
the end of that time, he told her-ah,
we'll, never mind what he told her! She,
at least, will never forget the passion
of that claiming.
Amy Townsend had to come to spend
the winter in Mercer, with a cousin.
OF course. the first Sunday she went
to st. James, as everybody who was
anybody, did. When she came home,
| her eyes We're keen with interest.
do tell me about him, Cousin Kate"
she said; Il never heard that sort of
preaching; what does it mean? Is he
| real person, or is he just clever?" Mrs.
| Paul laughed.
wait till you meet him! you'll see"
But she also adde to herself, wait
| till he meets you!" For Mrs Paul was
| one of those courageous women who
| rush in where angels fear to tread; she
was match maker.
rs he maryied?" the girl asked
naturally enough, but blushed furiously
the next instant, which made her
angry
mo; but it's not for lack of oppor-
| tunity," said Mrs, Paul dryly II de-
clare, Amy, women are dreadful fools,
sometimes! / should think a clergyman
wouldn't marry, out of sheer disgust
for their Stiffness"
oh he's run after, is he?" Miss
Townsend said, coldly
We'll, | must admit he's very at
tractive" Mrs. Paul began, remember
ing her scheme, and retreating lit
tle--for nothing will put girl against
a man sooner than to know he is run
| after"
Then she told his story; the boy had
| been Waif ('his mother was respect
able, think said Mrs. Paul, but no.
| body knows anything about the ia
ther'D He had had that dreariest sort
of childhood, which knows no other
home than an institution. Then, some
how, quite like a story book" Mrs.
| Paul said, a gentleman took an interest
in him, and began to help him in one
| way or another.
Wilson; you know who l mean?''