The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-01-07

| 4hSs yOui NlNt4uB ulbnSu IuucntSS 10 lDt
ladies of your congregation has, al
least, protected you from the blue rib
bon"
He began to protest, but the talk
! slipped back into their own affairs, and
somehow he succeeded in getting heI
hand, and by and by they were silent,
| just for happiness, and because 10 was
sunset, and the river was flickering with
light, and there was faint stir of leaves
| overhead. They were to be married in
fortnight, and they were going to
have all their lives together TO say how
good life was. so there was no need to
talk now.
AS the girl had said, it really was a
very satisfactory match. William West
was man whom everyone honored,
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 n man of
strong judgment and high character:
perhaps as citizen, rather than as a
minister. Men felt that he was a man,
before he was a clergyman; not knowing
that his calling had given him his high
est manhood. lie was singularly de-
void of clerical affectation; consequent-
ly the influence of his own reverence,
was not yitiated by n suspicion of his
common sense. In fact his sanity in mat
ters religious, joined in his knowledge
of human nature, made him a 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 per-
son, and fully intended to have n 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 Immediately, and would have pro-
posed to her the next day, had not feel
ing of diiiidence as to her sentiments de-
TERED him for nearly two weeks. At
the end of that time, he told hcr-ah,
well. never mind what he told her. She,
at least, will never forget the passion of
that claiming.
Amy Townsend had come to spend the
winter in Mercer. with cousin. OF
course, the first Sunday, she went to ST.
James, as everybody who was anybody,
did. When she came home, her eyes
were keen with interest.
DO tell me about him, Cousin Kate"
she said; Il never heard that sort of
prruchiug, what does Tt mean? Is he a
real person, or is he just cever?' Mrs.
Paul laughed.
Wait till you meet him! you'll see"
But she also added 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 married?" the girl asked, |
naturally enough, but blushed furiously |
the nextinstant, which made her angry. |
NO; but it's not for lack of oppor-
tunity." said Mrs. Paul, dryly. IL de-
clare, Amy, women are dreadful fools,
should think n clergyman
wouldn't marry, out of sheer disgust
for their Stiffness"
"Oh, he's run after, Is hep" Miss
Townsend said, coldly.
well, must admit he's very attract
i've" Mrs. Paul began. remembering her
scheme, and retreating a lttle-for
nothing will put girl against man
sooner than TO know he is run after"
Then she told his story; the boy had
been waif C'his mother was respect
able, / think" said Mrs. Paul, "but no.
body knows anything about the IA
ther.O He had had that dreariest sort
of childhood, which knows no other
home than an institution. Then, some
now, quite like story book" Mrs. Paul
said. gentleman took an interest i'm
him, and began TO help him in one way
or another
1T was that geological man, Prof.
Wilson; you know who l mean?"
Yrs. Paul explained. "IIe looked
Ifter him. At first he put him
n a tin shop, If you please; fancy! this
nan with the grand manner.'"
"Oh, | supposed he was gentleman"
Amy Townsend said.
Amy, you are snob!" her cousin
answered, hotly. "IIc isl" Mrs. Paul
vas SO annoyed that she ended the story
4 Mr.. Vests career very briefly. prof.
wilson offered either To start him in
business or put him through college;
e chose 10 20 10 college"
THAT was rather fine" Miss Town
end agreed
Fine? IL just showed what sort cf
man he was!" cried Mrs. Paul: "hc
worked his way 10 some extent: that is,
c was Prof. Wilson's secretary and he
id a lot of tutoring. Prof. Wilson lcf.
i'm a good deal OF money. but he gave
way nearly holt of It at once John SAYS.
lutte remarkable for young man.
'oll. that's all: you see what he is to-
ay? gentlemen and a scholarl John
ays there Is 40 man IN Mercer who has
be Influence that be has"
Miss Townsend. IN spite OF her care
~ indifference. was interested. And
'ier, when Rev. William West met her.
e. TOO. was "iuirtesied:" nd nh feu
ut rs the fsost experienced romancer /
ould desire ,