Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-16
THE SAVING OF LUCY JOY.


\
buoyant, took a deep interest in the
|church Some said she took a deeper
interest in the minister. but. as Mr..
Spriggs, faithful widower and an Of
ficer OF the church, quoted 10 the spin
sters of his family. Judge not that We
be not judged.
The Reverend John Draper was all
that a congregation could reasonably
demand-a good devoted man, too old
for the dangers of youth, too young for
the errors of age. Mrs. Dodge, with
her valuable experience, appreciated
the strong qualities OF such man and
acted accordingly. Her dealings with
the other sex had taught her that the
best way to manage man was 10
make him believe that he was the only
person in the world who could do inn
possible things. In the fullness of such
vanity, even a minister might forget
two previous husbands.
"Of course, Mr.. Draper Mrs. Dodge
said in the quiet OF his study, 1t is
very delicate matter, but you are man
of such infinite tact, and every one
trusts you so completely-e specially
Lucy-that you can speak of this with
perfect property and without hurting
her feelings in the least. She is such
beautiful girl that tremble for her. II
seems to be the fate of pretty girls In
small places like this TO make sudden
choices and to have lifelong regrets.
We know what it is to marry happily
but the other thing-to marry Is
wretchedness.
1T is wretchedness, he repeated
dreamily.
Il mean of course that the right sort
Of marriage is happiness forever, but
the other kind is not-that is, we must
see that Lucy does not make one OF
those suQuen attachments which may
wreck her life. We owe it to her as
member-a working member of our
church?''
What would you do?" he asked.
Speak with her as her pastor. Her
parents are both dead; she is almost
alone in the world and my heart often
aches for her. One woman does little
good by warning. another woman-she
well, she seldom trusts her-it's IN
the sex, l suppose, but a word from a
man Xix you, so consecrated to duty,
will make just the impression that is
needed. l know that l voice the feel
ing Of your best members when I say
this to you"
After she had gone the minister sat
helplessly in mis- chair for fully ten
minutes and then he got up and walk
ed the floor. If it were plain ordinary
A. 4 H. ll1I L. \
know how to go about 1t; that was
part of his business. but to hint to
beautiful young woman of unimpeach-
able character chat she was about to
commit a sin was an extraordinary
novelty in his work.
STILL" he said to himself as he
walked the floor, there must be some
reason for this request, and what Mrs.
Dodge said is true, the prettiest girls
of small places often do wreck their
lives by impulsive decisions; they do
become the victims of men experienced
in the wiles OF the world. but Lucy
JOY! God forbid"
He put on his hat and sought COM
fort in the sunshine of the spring morn
ing. as he reached the street he al
most ran into Lucy Joy, her arms full
of dogwood and lilacs. and a grinning
small boy pulling wagon loaded down
with more of the blossoms.
Thoughts of the anxious Mrs. Dodge
took wings.
Good morning, Miss Lucy" he ex-
claimed with an enthusiasm which was
not strictly spiritual, and he gave
fine gesture OF interrogation towards
the blooms.
Good morning" she replied. For
the wedding, you know. do not know
the bride, but they ten me she has no
relatives or friends in the town and
thought possibly a few flowers might
make it little bit happier. It's at
four, isn't it2'
Eyes. but not fer the public. / do
not know them. they are simply COM
ing to the churchto be married.
Then you must take all the respons-
ibility for these decorations.
If that be so. then / must go In and
help you fix them
And they entered the church and for
half an hour were busy sticking the
dogwood and lilacs where they could
show best, watched over and helped by
the small boy-whose name was not
Cupid"
May | walk home with you?" he
asked as they came out OF the church.
Il am not going home" she replied.
Mrs. Hasler sent for me-she is very
i'll again"
Il was there. yesterday. A sweet wo-
man who bears her suffering like
saint. She is a sermon in patience"
"She thinks much OF you" she re-
marked.
And more OF you." he said, and then
after a little pause, why not go to-
gether? | wanted TO give part OF my
morning to you. and let Us give It TO
her"
II do not understand" she replied.
"a part of the morning to me? Have /
grievously offended"
well" he stumbled. "Well-you
know" he felt weak at the knees.
We'll, Miss Lucy. it's just this. you
know you are so beautiful" He look
ed at her. Was there eyen-could there
ever be-a creature more lovely? And
the deep blush that spread over her
cheeks simply made perfection.
Really, Mr>Draper, DO not know
it." she replied
We'll, IL you do not. some Of the
elderly ladies OF my church do. and
they have asked me TO speak with
you" The same old Adam putting it
all on the women
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