The Van Buren press., 1898-10-29
THE WEARS SERMON !
By DOMINIQUE MONR0.


L WAS all to no purpose, Lady Matil-
l da might forever argue, and papa"
forever scold-till Betty chose to
please herself it was obviously certain
she did not intend to please her fond
parents.
And after all, even the dear old
danes who sat over their refreshing
dish of best tea, straight from the far
east, in order to discuss the "amorous
oddities" who had dared to sue for
Betty's hand and heart, even they
we're obliged to own that no one whom
they could consider a suitable partner,
from all points of view, had yet ap-
| peared upon the scene.
There is Squire Longcroft now"
said Miss Janet, daintily slipping a dish
Of tea at Cousin Minnie's house; "who
could imagine the dear thing married
to him?"
He is very short I own, and far
from prepossessing, but then, dear
Janet, recollect his rent roll, it is"
Quite as large as he is! Well, well,
money is not all that constitutes
happy, blissful life" And Miss Janet
sighed and gazed into her cup il
dreamy way. Nov Maj. Tomlin,
| Minnie-?"
Heaven preserve the young lamb
from HIM" calculate Minnie, piously,
with uplifted hands and eyebrows to
correspond.
''He is handsome" commenced
Miss Janet.
Goddess fool" added the other, and
the force with which she said it made
poor Janet jump.
There's DR.. JONES'" she hastened to
say, but Minnie only laughed.
why Eot mention Lawyer Robinson,
or Mr.. Pottle, the vicar" she answered
merrily, at which Miss Janet shook
her head and joined most heartily in
her cousins mirth, till tears rolled
down the dear little lady's face, and
she rubbed them away vigorously with
a tiny piece of muslin and lace.
Suddenly she ceased laughing, and
leaning across the table, on which
were set the pretty china tea service
and the antique silver kettle, she
whispered mysteriously: Il am not
so sure but what the dear thing hasn't
chosen her beau herself. Mark my
words, cousin, if little Betty marries
at all she will marry the wears curate,
young Parson Campbell"
"Parson Campbell! Mercy on us,
Jane! He's but boy. and a poor boy
at that; he has not much over 100
year, if that-he marry her? No,
no, no, it can't be possiblel"
II don't see why you set so much
store by money, Cousin Minnie, Miss
Betty has q pretty penny of her own
besides, he's of good family, being
Sir Murray Campbelfs only SON
though in truth his father is but a
pauper baronet."
Whilst these little ladies were dis
cussing Betty's love affairs to their
hearts content, that young lady was
engaged in a very lover-like dispute
with Parson Campbell himself, and
hidden as they were by ferns and
flowers from the inquisitive gaze of
countless couples in the ballroom of
Sir Peter Mackenzie's mansion in Cav
endish square, they were at full lib
erty to follow the bent of their own
minds and firt and quarrel as the
fancy took them.
And their fancy took them each a
separate way.
Now this aggravating missy could
not see a lovelorn look just thrown
in her direction, or hear lovesick
.sigh, or a few sweet words of senti-
ment, but she must be on her dignity!
And as neither would give IN it had
ended in a lovers quarrel.
She had Just refused to sit out an
other dance.
"Wen, will you come and hear me
preach on Sunday weck?" he asked,
pleadingly.
He knew he could persuade Lady Ma
tilda to lunch with him in company
with her daughter, after the service,
If he once got them to attend his
church, which was some distance from
| Sir Peters country seat.
| II was the close of the London sea-
son. and the Mackenzies were return
ing to the depths of the country for
the summer months.
But l don't care for your preach
ing" Betty said, and Donald Campbell
! flushed to the roots of his hair, and
pained look crossed his bonny face.
! "T'm sorry" was all he said
"Now your vicar breaches to per-
fection," Betty added, mischievously,
knowing as everyone well did that no
other parsou could outdo Mr.. Pottle
in n long, prosy sermon, at all events
in Surrey.
"Do you like his sermons? l Thought
YOU usually went to sleep" he said.
az? Never, never! If I ever was in
teresteG in a sermon in my life, it was
when Mr.. Pottle preached-so there!
I admire him so thoroughly, and his
views are mine in all things!"
"RealIy. we'll would you care to
come and hear him preach next sun
dav?" Donald Campbell asked her and
she, dimpling all over her winsome
face. thanked him as if he had offered
her the richest OF rare treats, and as
sured hm she would not forget, and
left him on another partners arm, all
smiles and happiness.
And he, poor hoy, placed his two ell
bows on his knees, and his face be-
tween his hands. and sat there in a
state Of abiect misery. He knew that
parson Pottle was a wealthy man and
not ill-looking-and a bachelor! Well,