The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-24

She pulled down one of his hands. gently.
with her own.
drink of water
oh, NannoL"-her father could have
hhugged her, IF you want drink. dear"
re- suggested, as they drew up before
Harriet'ss, gate. 'I think Job would get
you one''
The thin, STOPPING figure strobe over the
grass, and the minister turned the phae-
ton round. He saw Job mount the grape
hung porch and knock at the door. Then
with sudden impulse he laid the whip
over Gypsy's back and she sprang down
the hill, the light pebbles rafting under
the wheels.
When they drew up before the parson-
age, and met Mrs: Smiths anxious eyes,
she exclaimed; Henry, you've done It'll"
"Oh, Alice, I don't know, I'm sure.
I've probably ruined Harriet's cause, and
lost JOBS friendship for life; but I
Things without your he moaned, as he
recounted the afternoons adventures
Itls wife's gravity was not proof against
having been abandoned three miles from
home at nightfall; but she also felt vague
ly uneasy.
other" she sighed. This mixing our
selves up in peoples bygone love affairs Is
the worst responsibility we ever shoulder
ed, dear. My only consolation is that
Mrs. Parks hasn't found US OUT
The light burned in the parsonage study
I'll nearly midnight, but rot a step ap-
preached the door. In the morn ng Mr..
Smith spied smoke curling up as usul1
from the school house chimney, but Job
did not pass, with his accustomed greet
ing for Nanno. Neither Of the Smiths
could settle to an ordinary days work
When afternoon came. the minister took
a copy of Browning, and, for the first
time since his assumption of his Bickford
charge, retired to a hammock Mrs.
Smith sat i6lV in the dOOruaU
ing much at the little garment which lay
on her lap, but oftener watching the yell
10Y !yr4aa eim,eaves IL yes as they fioated down.
turns out wrong shall you be sorry YOU
didn't leave it to take its own course?"
Il dare re say SHALL was the pIaintive
reply, If only from selfish motives. Job
Corey is the one friend 1 have here. Alice
Ihere is not another man in Bickford so
Iree from anything sordid or small-mlnd-
ed The farmers have been a disappoint-
ment to me in their self-sa tisfied narrow
ness; but he is entirely different Even
MS one grievance has not soured him
Mrs. Smith sighed sympathetica1ly.
Womanlike, she thought with some bit
terness that there was not even a female
Job to whom she could turn for satis-
factory companionship; but with a faint
sense of compensation she remembered
Mary Parks youthful homage at her
shrine, and took heart from the consol-
ing reflection that the Junior love affair
was likely to be smooth one
After supper was over the two stroled
down to get the evening mail.
Il shall go in search Of Job tomorrow"
announced Mr.. Smith as they returned to
the parsonage.
!. And I shall take the children and
Gypsy and drive up to Harriet's," added
his wife with equal decision. There
there's her horse now as ringing trot
sounded on the road.
walter coming down to see Mary"
They both stopped to listen. The We
hicle drew up in front Of their own door,
and with bound out sprang Job, help
ing Harriet after him.
"Well, Mrs. Smith"
why, Mrs. Macomber!'
Harriet's hearty laugh resounded
through the high-ceiled hall and the min
= wonder if you'll guess what we've
won't either of you be surprised to hear
that we want to get married.
If he was not strictly surprised the
minister's breath was somewhat taken
away by the suddenness Of the request.
Jobs absolute composure, as he STOOD
beside his affianced bride, was one Of the
most startling features of the occasion.
His stoop was gone, and with erect
shoulders and transfgured counte-
nance he looked like what the youthful
lover might have been twenty years be-
fore.
''You see, we came to the conclusion
last evening" Harriet continued, that
we'd been engaged long enough or
course we didn't want to have folks get
a hold of the thing soon enough to give
'em any satisfaction, SO we thought we'd
just come down here this evening and
get it done right up. There's nothing in
the way of it. as I know of, and Mrs
Smith can be witness"
1t was an odd little ceremony somehow,
though entered into with the utmost Sc
riousness The witness gave a rather
absent-minded attention to her duties,
her brain being busy with a review OF the
contents of the larder and the possibility
of providing a late wedding supper But
this anxiety was dissipated when, having
received congratulations, the new made
bride turned to her husband.
Job we left that wedding cake In the
Smith, I knew he was always fond Of
cake, and he'd counted on having good
one when we were married. So I sent
Walter down to the store this morning
early to get the stuff, and l made up a
big one in milk pan and baked it all
day It's kind of fresh, but I guess 1t
won't hurt anybody, and We'll give you
some to keep"
When the two women had finally re-
tired into corner and begun to pick
up the threads Of the affair In private
conference Job had his first word alone
with Mr. Smith.
"I wish you'd tell me-" he began,
Chow you knew all about that-that old
story I asked Harriet how she s'posed
you found 1t out, and she said the best
way would be to ask you. Who'd you
hear IT from?"
The minister glanced over at the two
wives with a smile.
''Why. Job" he said slowly, IT was the
cousin