Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1898-03-25
A STORM MIRACLE.

on the right-hand side Of the center
aisle in st. Matthias's Church, and
Sunday after Sunday the young minis.
ter in charge looked down over HE
congregation and caught the wistful
look of a pair Of dark brown eyes that
was solemn and pathetic at once. Be.
fore the last amen of the recessional
had ceased to vibrate on the ears OF
the kneeling worshippers, the little
creature had each time made her way
out of the church unnoticed. After a
while the Rev. John Grimshaw, who
was six and twenty, and Impressions
BILE at that, began to feel the influence
Of that benign expression, and of those
solemn dark eyes, and decided to speak
with the girl If an opportunity pre-
sented itself, and the opportunity did
come one Friday night, on a saints day
when there was a special service at
the church in the evening.
She had never been into the church
before except on Sunday, and what
was his surprise and pleasure when the
young minister lifted his eyes that
night and saw the face that was be-
ginning to interest him sitting before
him quite near the front. During the
singing of hymn he approached he1
and asked her to remain after the SER
vices, as he wished to say few words
to her. She did not reply, except with
q mute appeal with her splendid dark
eyes. He mistook her silence for em-
barrassment, and returned to his place
at the lectern.
At the close of the service he hur.
ried to the side of the girl, who was
Just In the act of leaving her pew, and
spoke few words to her. He was in-
viting her in that calm, deliberate way
that characterized him, to come to
church often, to consult him, to become
a regular worshipper at the church;
but as he talked in low, persuasive
tones, and no response came from the
girl, he began to wonder at her ex-
treme bashfulness, and when she be,
gan TO shake her head and to make rap.
i'd signs with her deft fingers, in an in
slant he realized that the appealing
eyes that followed him in his dreams
and In his waking moments and the
pretty but sad face, were those of q
deaf mute, and so swift and sudden was
the surprise that swept over him, thai
he could have cried out in his anguish.
A chill came over his heart, but only
for an instant, and in the next he CONS
municated as best he could by mods
and smiles and expression that he un.
derstood her and was sorry for her. He
tried to make her understand that he
would like her to continue to come to
church and be a good Christian, but
whether she comprehended him or moi
he did not know. He walked to the
door with her, and as she went slowly
down the stone steps he nodded a plea
SAINT good night as she looked back.
When he was alone that night the
young preacher gave way to his emo
tion. He realized that he was deeply
in love with the little being who had
never spoken word to him, and who
he now knew, would never speak to
him. He should never know the sound
of her voice, which in his fancy was
low and soft and musical.
At last sleep pulled the curtain be.
fore those precious, yet bitter thoughts
and the Rev. Mr.. Grimshaw fell into a
deep slumber and dreamed that be
was sailing the sea with this beauti.
ful girl, that he held her in his arms
that he called her Ruth" When hs
awoke 1t was with the bitterest disap-
pointment, for he was alone and the
bright sun was streaming full upon his
face. He remembered that the Kings
Daughters Of the parish were to enjoy
an excursion down the bay that day
and as he had many little affairs of i'm.
pOrtance to attend to before o'clock
the hour of sailing, he busted himself
about them, saying the name Of Ruth
softly to himself in the meanwhile
and wondering If her name were really
Ruth.
The excursion steamer was in wait.
ing at the dock, and one by enc thu
young girls stepped aboard, each smil.
ing her sweetest as she noticed thu
young minister standing on the wharf
1t wanted one minute of the hour, and
anxious ones aboard the little excur,
sion steamer were calling to Mr.. Grim
shaw to come aboard and not get left
If he heard he needed not, and just a.
he was about to give up the hope O
her coming, just as they we're about t
mill IN fha oonunIorb n .1foh4 a
in a neat-fitting black dress, with whit
lace at the throat and a small black ha
set upon a shapely little head crowned
with wealth Of chestnut brown hair
approached the wharf. Calling to tn
sailors to wait a moment, John Grim
shaw sprang forward and, taking tn,
girl by the arm, forgetful that shl
could not hear a word he said, explain
ed to her that she was late and mus
hurry TO get aboard In time. She otll
smiled and turned her wistful eyes fal
npon him. and his heart swelled with
feeling undefinable. for he thought
that he perceived love in her looks.
1t would occupy an hour and half
to reach their destination, and he took
her under his especial charge. Il was
merry crowd. 1t was jOlliest in the
stern Of the boat, where people were
packed like sardines on the deck seats
and on camp stools. John Grimshaw
and the mute little creature he loved
were sitting together. Their arms
touched ss they leaned on the railing