The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1900-02-21
A DARK MISTAKE.

mo use burning all these lights dowI
here. I'll Just have to fill them in the
morning." and the old sexton turned
down the one lamp burning in tn,
chandelier in the room and went out,
leaving the door sjar.
Tne light flickered for few moment.
until an outer door was opened, and
then with one bright flash, il died out
Up stairs there was much laughing
and talking as the busy hands put the
finishing touches to the church decora-
tions for the morrow.
"rhere, think that is as well as we
can do" and Nellie Collier stepped
back TO survey the work.
"We need u small piece OF rope to
reach across that seat yet, DOCTOR" she
said, turning to Dr. Graham, who was
standing beside her. Two of those
letters in that center motto are crook
ed. You straighten them, please, while
/ get the rope. 1 know where there is
a piece that will just do" and she hur-
ried down the stairs and ran against
Mr.. Pitcairn as he was entering his
study.
'Whew, Dark as can be-" she said
half aloud as she entered the small
ante room and felt her way over to the
clio yet under the stairs.
Mr.. Pitcairn went into his study, his
thoughts in a tumult. For months
Nellie Golfers laughing face had been
haunting him, and he often found that
his eyes rested on her when he was
preaching.
He waited few minutes and then
met the little white robed figure as she
was about leaving the room.
"Nellie, l want to tell you some
thing" he said, taking hold of the
hands which were full of rope.
81 have been wanting to tell you for
long time that I love you. l don't
think that you can be surprised, for you
must have seen that 1 love you dearly,
and 1 hope that it has not been dis
tasteful to you, has it?"
There was no answer, but there was
no attempt to withdraw the hands that
he held.
al am not an adept at love making,
darling. viii you be my wife, Nellie?'
al never thought that you cared for
me-" she murmured. "You never no.
ticed me much, and l thought you
cared for Others" came in a low voice.
81 must have hid my feelings more
than thought, but it was because 1
loved you so that you thought 1 neg
lected you. A minister is watched 50
much and has to be so very careful.
But can you love me, darling, enough
TO be my wife?n
He could scarcely hear the answer,
but he suddenly elasped her in his arms.
No matter what happened for few
minutes. 1t was the first time he had
been in love, and the room was dark.
He remembered afterward that he
even then felt surprised to find that she
was so small.
II must be going, darling" he said
at last as he heard some one entering
the next room. "There is committee
mseting in my study. L will come up
st lirs as soon as Ican," and giving her
a last kiss, he hurried from the room.
he was in no humor for business
meeting, and the good brethren must
have thought that their young minis
ter was growing very frivolous, he
seemed so light hearted and laughed
several times when they were discuss
ing important business.
The truth was he scarcely knew what
was said or done, and as soon as the
last one had departed he hurried up
stairs.
Nearly every one had gone, but Nell
lie, Ibis Nellie" was busy arranging
some last flowers in vase, and DIR.
Graham was standing beside her aud
whispering something to her while she
just shook her head and laughed.
Nellie merely glanced up as he APP
preached.
What do you think of the decOra-
tions?"
"They are fine, very fine" he an
swered, trying to meet her glance, but
she had turned back to DIR. Graham,
and for a moment he was angry.
"Pshaw. How unreasonable am,"
he said to himself. "How much more
she is so as not to attract at
tention."
So he walked away until be saw her
to leave.
."Are you ready to go now?" he ask
ed in low tone. "DO you want TO take
this basket along?"
"Why, yes-but," she hesitated an
instant, "Dr. Graham will help me
with my things"
He suddenly dropped the basket.
"Why, Nellie" it is my place, not
that fellows" he exclaimed.
Nellie Golfers face flushed. II do
not see how you can claim that right
any more than you have to speak Of
DIR. Graham in tnst manner" she said,
b tughtily.
"Why, Nellie think that what pass (
ed between us this evening would GER
tainly give me the right
"Why, Mr.. Pitcairn, what could pos
sibly have passed between US? You
must be laboring under some mistaker'
she exclaimed in surprise. ''I saw you
when you came into the church and
had scarcely spoken to you until you
came here few moments ago."
"What do you mean after what was
said in the aute-room when you were