The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-11-27


ventured on such a course, and scarcely
now knew how to begin. So for some time
his resolution remained of no effect But
indirectly it helped him, for maidens saw
that he was waking up, and renewed hope
burned in every tender breast, and designs
were laid in those that were bolder Oddly
enough, Mr.. Dobinson himself also felt an
increase of vigor. He could look at his
bureau with less dismay, for the girish face
that now peeped out of each empty pigeon
hole in some mysterious way seemed to sug-
gest his dream and to hint at Hudspeth's
condition, which he was striving to recall.
Just as a forgotten word plays on the tip
of our tongue, the lost idea lowered about
the minister's heart in a most tantaIizing
way. With his eye he could again see the
exact appearance of the words to which Mr..
Hudspeth had pointed, but not for his life
could he make them out
One Saturday evening, while engaged with
his sermon, he had for moment lapsed into
one of these reveries when there was
loud knock at the front door. 1t would not
have concerned the minister but that he
knew his mother was at the Mains to tea,
and that the maid had asked leave to go
and see her brother. 1t might be an urgent
call for ministrations; so to sit still and
ignore the summons was out of the ques-
ton. Mr.. Dobinson, therefore, ran down.
stairs and opened the door. To his con-
fusion he confronted Martha Boyd, a broad
and buxom young woman of his congrega-
ton, aged twenty-four. Martha was not ex-
actly confused, and accepted the invitation
to enter. She was most sorry to disturb
him, grieved that Mrs. Dobinson was out;
but she called about the Sabbath school.
And as they sat opposite each other they en-
tered upon the topic which had occasioned
the visit.
The minister answered as coherently as
he was able, but instead Of his mind being
centered on the business it was hopelessly
involved in that reverie which had been
broken. Martha had come as a living COM
ment on his text and only as an attractive
young woman could he regard her. 1t was
delightful to feel that he was with her there
all alone, and his bashfulness quickly
passed to nervous pleasantly. Martha had
experience and was quite able to put Mr.
Dobinson at ease, as well as encourage any
signs of playfulness. So, in a few minutes
when her pretext was disposed of, they
were talking and laughing with freedom
that might have astonished some of the
stricter of the flock.
And there's no truth in that dream
about the bureau, is there, Mr.. Dobinson?'
This was Martha's highest card, and she
played it just as she got up pretending she
must go.
"It is quite true, Miss Boyd, really" was
the earnest response. It has troubled me a
good deal. 1t was such remarkable thing,
wasn't it?"
Most extraordinary! I do SO wish we
could help you in your difficulty. Haven't
| you any idea of the kind of thing that was
required by Mr. Hudspeth?'
well, no, hardly: until quite lately no
| idea at ALL Mr.. Dobinson looked confused,
but fixed his eyes on the blue sympathetic
ones before him, and felt thrill of emo
ton. But that's not true, Miss Boyd" he
exclaimed fervently. "At first had not the
| slightest idea, but now-now 1 have a very
strong suspicion--a very strong suspicion. 1t
is stronger ever since you came in to me-"
"Oh, Mr.. Dobinson!
'Ir is really. In confidence-don't breathe
| a word CT it to anybody-I am now sure
| that it was connected with the subject of
marriage. Did you ever see the bureau?''
After some difRdence and prevarication,
Martha was led up stairs to see the enigma.
Mr.. Dobinson was in that oblivious state
common with nervous subjects, when all
common sense considerations are lost sight
of. His very simplicity deIuded him. The
| feeling Of confidence once established it was
| a pleasure to him to expand Martha now
grew nervous. She feared her device was
to succeed too well-too suddenly. She was
! in no sense a coarse or imprudent-minded
| girl. 1t is true she did know that Mrs. Dob
inson was at the Mains, that the servant
was out and that the question about the
! Sabbath school was not OF immediate i'm
| portance, and yet had deliberately come to
beard MIR. Dobinson in his manse So be it.
Let Us explain it how we can, but by nc
means with the help of shower of stones.
| She grew alarmed at the minister's con-
fidence. and the whole of her manner was
altered. Unfortunately this made things
worse, for by perceiving nervousness in his
companion, Mr.. Dobinson gained strength.
1T is a very proper condition, Miss Boyd;
don't you think so? Marriage is an ord
nance OF heaven, and is The most beautiful
state in which human beings can be sit
uated. Don't you think so-dont you
| Think?
Yes, Mr.. Dobinson, do said Martha in
| perplexity; but 1 must really go. 1 only
came for minute or two. and must have
been nearly half an hour"
II am glad-nay. 1 am grateful that you
Il
her downstairs. ut is kind Of you to let
me talk to you like this. Just a minute,
Miss Boyd
AS she went to the door she stopped whilst
| the minister went into the dining room. The
hot sun streamed through the passage, and
the clock licked in the quiet of the summer
| evening. Mr.. Dobinson came out with a
| flower in his hand. He looked at Martha,
| and she at him.
''Win you take this in remembrance
"Oh, Mr.. Dobinson, 1 can't-do forgive
me. never meant"
Martha, stay. You are kind; you are
beautiful. 1t seems sudden, but don't you
think you might learn to love me. 1 love
nobody else
do let me go. Mr.. Dobinsonp'
In her summer blouse, dangling her SUM-
shade, Martha did look beautiful. Although
plump, her figure was not ungraceful, and
her colored cheeks were of pure and deli
cate hue The minister had gone too far to
recede He had taken her arm, and she
allowed him to lead her into the room.
You don't fear me? You don't dislike
me?"
'Oh, no! How could I? But I'm not pre-
pared for this. II didn't know you cared
for me-"
mo. have done wrong" exclaimed the