The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-18

eve both went to the parish coaver.
sazione that evening. 1t was one of
series of functions held quarterly by
the vicar and the church wardens to
ness between the members of the con-
gregation. These gatherings took
place at the town hall, and consisted
of tea and coffee, twaddle and flirta-
tions, for which last-named amusement
various alcoves in the Hobbies and pass
ages were not inconvenient; the more
so as the said lobbies and passages
were but indifferently lighted.
Sat this particular function every
body, of course, was present, including
Margaretta, her parents and other
adolescent members of her family. My
wife bore down upon Margaretta the
moment she appeared, and saw them
soon engaged in a whispered converse
tion in corner of the tearoom. / did
not observe them again for some little
time, being just then tackled by
wealthy and hypochondriacal old lady
-one Of my best patients who insist.
ON oA accounting " IhC a 4ohS hbStOiy
of all that she had suffered since our
last meeting. l was inexpressibly
bored by this tire ,ome old person. But
| could not offend her, so was obliged
to listen. And hen at last was free
from her-which was not for twenty
minutes-I noted, with grin of amuse-
ment, that Margaretta (aided, no doubt.
by my wife), had made her pounce, and
was in the act of sailing out of the tea
room upon the arm of our stately vicar,
who did not, indeed, seem at all 10th to
lead forth this beauteous damsel into
the greater seclus;on of the dimly light
ed passages.
81 looked round for my wife. All!
There she was hobbing and nobbing
with old Joshua Barker. not three yards
from where stood! Presently heard
her say to him:
"spon't you think this room rather
hot, Mr.. Barker? Shal! we go out into
the lobby for few minutesY
'Certainly-a good idea,' answered
the brewer, offering her his arm.
"And off they went-my wife throw
ing me a meaning but mystifying
glance over her shoulder as she passed.
That she was up to some mischief l
could see plainly. That this mischief
was in connection with the vicar and
Margaretta l could conjecture with
tolerable certainty. But beyond that
general impression, was quite In the
dark and, being detached just then and
seeing nobody about with whom had
the least desire to converse, strolled
out myself into the lobby with the idea
of seeing If possible what my wife's
little game was
"As / sauntered slowly along one of
the side passages, heard the sound of
murmured conversation on my right.
Glancing in that direction, l deserted
the vicar and Margaretta seated in con-
tiguous chairs, screened by a big palm.
They We're too much taken up to have
observed me. And, 1 am half ashamed
to confess it, but did low thing.
slipped behind brawny plaster Her
cules, which stood adjacent and played
the eavesdropper.
'The vicar was bending close to Mar
garetta, uttering many pretty speeches
but nowise committing himself-and
she was listening with heightening col
or and downcast eyes, ever and anon,
however, raising those features and
darting at him glances Of radiant ten
derness, meant, doubtless, to evoke
something from his lips more practical
than these empty compliments. Once
or twice half thought that declara-
ton was coming; but on each occa-
sion he pulled himself up just at the
critical point, and turned what looked
like being proposal into mere piece
of fiirtatious rhetoric. 1t must have
been uncommonly tantalizing for Mar
garetta. But she kept her head and
her temper admirably. and continued
to smile ON him as blandly as hereto
fore.
"At last-ha1. .cg, as supposed, CIV
en- up all hope for that occasion, since
was not then aware of the wonderful
resourcefulness of woman-Margaretta
suggested that they should be rejoin-
ing the others. The vicar agreed. They
rose from their seats, and as they did
so, Margaretta, happening to glance
uOWu III ueE particularly utdt llIGle
toes, uttered a sudden ejaculation.
"tOh! Look! The ankle strap of my
shoe has come unbuttoned. Oh! dear!
Lift it would not be presuming too
much upon your kindness, Mr.. Travers,
FL
"'Don't mention it. With pleasure,
murmured the reverend gentleman, as
hn II I'm ri
proceeded to negotiate the strap round
her pretty ankle.
"'Ha! my FRIEND I chuckled to my
self from behind my Hercules. In
the gallant impulse of the moment, you
have forgotten your lumbago. Facilis
descensus! .Sed revocare' gradum!
Now,.I shall see SPORT
"'Oh, please. get up, Mr.. TraversH
murmured Miss Margaretta, blushing-
ly, affecting to be ignorant of the true
state of the case. 'Oh, please get up!
Somebody will see YOU
"T-I-wiu you-give me your
handF gasped the vicar, desperately.
"She did so. in the prettiest cOnfu-
sion. The vicar clasped 1t with all the
fervor of lumbaSo.
Then it all came about more sud-
denly than you would believe. For
there stood Joshua Barker and there
stood my wife, as though they had
dropped from the clouds. And Joshua
was shaking the still kneeling vicar by
the hand and saying:
Congratulate you, my dear vicar,
congratulate you! / ought not to in
trude just now. But I was passing, by
Jove, and couldn't help seeing and my
feelings as a father got the better OF
my discretion. You have won treas