Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-08-30

" q
and 70 defer TO the older members of the
choir. I understand she is to sing a solo
next Sunday.
aYes, but if any one is to blame 1 I'M
the one. I requested her to sing it,"
81 heard so, but could hardly believe it.
1t has not been customary for any mem
Der of our choir to sing alone. lt is ali i'll
novation that is not likely to meet with
the approval of our best people"
"Yaur information surprises me. l
thought it would be pleasant to Introduce
q feature In the service which is quite
om1no in many churches at present.
"You doubtless meant well, " said Miss
Thoroughwheat, with a sarcasm in her
voice that belied her words, ''but | think
it would not be quite the thing In our
church, and l take the liberty to give you
u friendly word of caution"
The leave taking was cool and CON
strained. Mr.. Wright was aware that he
had offended two of his leading parishion-
ers, and he returned to his boarding house
in all %unenviable frame of mind.
Miss Thoroughwheat went to bed with
anger in her heart. Almira knew that
there were gray hairs OF her head and I'M
welcome burrows in her face. 1t was time
for her to wed if she was ever to be mar
ried, and she had picked out the good
looking clergyman, five years younger
than herself, as the fit man to be her hus-
band. He needed a practical helpmeet,
not "a pretty and an inefficient doll like
Miss Lacey. Well, If he could not see
what was best for him, she, with her ia
Tiers powerful assistance, would make it
warm for the p~resumptuous clergyman.
Miss Lacey sang the solo on the follow
ing Sunday, but her trembling voice and
nervous manner betrayed that she was
not at ease.
The rector suspected that irritating re-
marks had come to her ears. According
ly, Monday evening he called on Miss La
cey.
"You cannot suspect how much l have
regretted that 1 consented to take SO prom
inent a part in the service, - she said.
"But you must not blame yourself"
said Mr.. Wright with eager gallantry. 81
am the one who is responsible, for l asked
you to do it"
81 know it, and it was only to please
you that l did it,"
The answer delighted the infatuated
Clergyman, and he felt ready to brave any
thing for the sake of the beautiful woman
who had made an admission so flattering
to himself.
81 hope you do not regret having tried
to please me. Let me assure you that l
fully appreciate it,"
81 thank you for your kind interest,
but am sorry that I have been the means
of causing some of the members of the
choir to be offended.
"Do not be afraid to speak. 1t was Miss
Thoroughwheat who did not like it,"
"How can you know"
"Never mind, but l do know and 1
sympathize with you"
Mr.. Wright impulsively caught one Of
the girls hands and pressed it. Miss La
cey tried to withdraw 1t, but did not sue
coed, and burst into tears.
II have not offended you, I hopeH'' he
anxiously asked.
"Oh, no. You are very kind. 1t was
because I appreciate your goodness"
The sight of a beautiful weep
ing will upset any man who is not a
brute.
"Let me sympathize with you. Allow
me to tell you-ah-that I love you-and
and
She did not repel him and bushes began
to chase away her grief. He clasped her
In his arms and they understood each
other.
The next day he announced the engage
ment, and there was a great hubbub. Miss
Thoroughwheat and her father were SO
angry that they did not attempt to conceal
their d~isapproval, and a bevy of disap-
l otv,k v,a{ln~n -rhD hnI n~rlnA f0r %,o
attentions of the agreeable rector support
ed them. But most Of the men in the par
ish and many Of the married women took
up the cudgels in defense Of MI. Wright.
Ebert Woodruff, the youngest vestry-
man, who had for some time chafed under
the imperious methods Of old Thorough.
wheat, had the courage to sustain the rec
tor boldly and placed himself at the head
of the clergyman 3 adherents.
In the midst Of the oommotion Mr..
| Wright sought the presence of the bishop
of the diocese, and to him poured forth his
troubles with disingenuous e~loquence.
Bishop Fox listened attentively. He was
both a shrewd and a kind hearted man,
and he knew that the rector told the truth.
my dear boy" he said, 81 understand
1t all. The experience Is new to you, but
not new to our profession. Shakespeare
understood 1t when he said, Hell hath no
| fury like a woman scorned.' If one WON
ans rage could call forth 80 strong'a com
ment from the master reader Of human
| nature, what would he have said had he
contemplated the fate of a young clergy
man who gets into trouble with many
wolnenP"
UVaa Rnk 7 did NOT snnrn them I
treated them all politely"
"True. But they do not 80 regard 1t.
All women are not angels, like your fu-
ture wife. The wiles and pettiness Of some
feminine hearts are great, I am sorry to
say. Remember what the great Jonathan
Edwards said"
"What did he say2"
"Why, he aver advised a sutton for the
hand of a daughter of his who wa bad
tempered not to marry her. There are
some persons with whom the grace Of God
abides that you can't"
swell put, l must say, remarked Mr..
Wright admiringly.
"Now, my boy, there is but one sensible
thing to be done. You must resign your
charge Immediately and must marry the
lady Of your choice. I will then transfer
you to another parish, and as a married
man you will have a more pleasant expert
ence in your next field of labor"
Miss ThorOughwheat remained perma-
nently single, and Elbert Woodruff opposed
old Thoroughwheat successfully, depriv-
ing him Of the support of the majority and
greatly weakening his dictatorial power.
j. A. Bolles in Chicago Record.