Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-05-27
BECAUSE" :"

You are too provoking for anything,
Jennie Norton. The very idea of your
giving up Mrs. Preston reception for an
old, tiresome prayer meeting Why. you
ran go TO a meeting every week, but it
isn't very often one has the streak of good
luck TO be invited to Il brilliant reception
Il don't blame you. Alice, for being
surprised at the turn of affairs. 1t seems
that Miss Rice had to go away suddenly
and was unable to engage substitute 70
play at the Friday prayer meeting. Mr.
Allen asked me as last resort, and after
"a great deal of teasing l consented TO give
up the reception for IL plaguy old prayer
meeting. Now, Allie, dear. if you tease
me any more about it III gave in the very
last minute and disappoint the Rev. sgd
ney Allen. And you; Il admit that would
be rather hard on a new minister
i suppose all the girls will think I've
turned goody goody when they hear of it,
but it's no such thing / never felt 50 re-
bellious and wicked in all my life as did
yesterday, when 1 promised to play ON
Friday evening.
Il don't think I would have given in if
grandpa hadn't come in and said to Mr.
Allen, of course Jennie will gladly ac-
commodate you. I knew then il would
be useless TO refuse. so l said yes in my
snappicst tone What can't he helped must
be endured. | do hope that you will have
a lovely time at Mrs. Preston s, and when
you are enjoyinsg yourself do not forget
poor little me listening to hallclllahs and
loud amcnS. -
1t was Friday night, and the vestry of
the Methodist church on Shirley avenue
was pretty well filed with worshipers
They were just singing Glow Firm
Foundation" when finely built young
man entered the room and took a seat in
the rear His magnificent baritone Joined
in the hymn. Somehow it must have
reached the cars of the player, for she
glanced up quickly, AS if by magic, eye
met eye. A clashing discord made Jennie
Norton realize that she must attend strict
ly to her business, SO with heightened col
or and somewhat unsteady fingers the
hymn was finished.
AT the close of the meeting Jennie Nor
ton chatted with several, but kept out OF
the way of Mr.. Gordon. She spent fully
five minutes talking pleasantly with the
pastor. Gerald could hardly keep his pa
thence under control as he noticed the look
of honest admiration in the, eyes of Mr.
Allen.
Old Deacon Norton was much amused
at the actions of the young people He
well knew that his granddaughter Jennie
was simply using her coquetry ON the
young minister to arouse Gerald Gordon's
jealousy.
Two years ago young Gordon had pro-
posed to Jennie, but just for the fun of
4
friend, she gave him no" for an answer.
"Love i. blind" or else the young man
would certainly have seen the love in Jen-
MES sparkling eyes. Men in love will al |
ways have the sad lesson to learn that, as
a rule, a woman's mo" means yes"
Swallowing his disappointment as best he
could, Mr.. Gordon went abroad, and for |
two years Jennie had heard from him only |
through his sister Alice
Poor Jennie often regretted her foolish
ness, butwas too stubborn to let Gerald
know. On the day of the reception the
Gordon family were surprised at the ar
rival of Gerald At the dinner table Alice
was telling the family how poor Jennie |
was Obliged to give up the reception. The
result WAS siia5 Gerald found way =te
the prayer meeting that night.
No wonder the young man could hardly
restrain himself when he noticed how Jen-
ME avoided him and yet lavished her
smiles and honeyed words ON others.
Gerald my boy, where have you been
keeping yourself all this time? 1 am glad
to see you in Boston again. 1t has been
very lonesome at the house since you went
to Europe. Jennie hasn't seemed like the
same girl, and l almost think that you
to take the sunshine with you
| am sure don't know what's keeping
the naughty puss tonight. Sne is usually
only too anxious to get away from the
meeting, but this evening she is bold
enough to fiirt even with the new parson.
Young man, you'd better put in an oar,
Or some one else will win the prize. Ina
going. Tell Jennie that l asked you to
see her home. Remember. Gerald, faint
heart never won fair lady,
With this particular advice Jennie's
grandfather left the encouraged suitor
With determined look on his hand
some face Gerald Gordon strobe up to the
pair and delivered to the now trembling
girl Deacon NortCn's message. Miss Nor
ION welcomed him home and accepted his
escort. She then introduced the somewhat
minister He, seeing how
things stood, said Il few words of welcome
20 Gerald and, thanking Jennie for her
assistance, quietly left them
On the walk home Jennie asks her COM
,anion about his trip. Not word of Iowa
IS spoken between them Gerald realizes
hat the golden moments are speeding
lway,' but somehow he does not have the
courage to tell of his love. To again hear
No" would be terrible, but Deacon Nor
.on's words still ring in his ears, Faint
leart never WON
Jennie, two years ago today l asked
'ou to be my wife. You refused, and ]
vent away to try and forget you. Dis
ance only made me realize how dearly
owed you. My darling, loved you then.
love you now. Again 1 ask you, will
Tou be my wife?''
With white, anxious face the young f.
nan bent to get his answer. Was he
lreaming? Surely his ears did not deceive
lin, for he most certainly.heard a faint
,ut a yes, nevertheless.
Straining the young girl to himself, /
ierald showered kisses upon the yielding
ips of the lovely girl, who nestled SO loy-
ngly ON his breast
After a few minutes of lovemaking the
nan puts his hand under Jennies chin
md, looking straight into her eyes, asks
his question: "Jennie, my dear one, two
ears ago why did you say no? Answer
lie honestly; did you love Inc then?"
"Gerald, loved you then with all my
'eart, but said mo, well, because -
And with that woman's reason Gerald
iordon had to be satisfied.-Boston Post.
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