The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-01-19

| Ing II was not With your humble Serv-
ant" and her black eyes danced merri-
| ly, and he knew that she was enjoying
his discontinue.
Mr.. Pitcairn grew pale.
"I'll forgive you for calling DR.. Ora
ham a fellow If you don't do it again,
for he is"-she hesltated and blushed-
"a very particular friend of mine, and
| you and l have been such good friends
| that will tell you secret-we are en-
! gagged"
ooh, you little torment! might have
known that you would try he ex-
claimed, his face all aglow.
"Why, Mr.. Pitcairn, how could you
have known it, when we did not know
| it ourselves until this evening? And I
! don't know what the doctor will say to
my telling you"
Mr.. Pitcairn staggered back against
seat. Il wish you every happi-
ness" he stammcred, then he turned to
| examining the flowers until after they
! had left the church. He felt dazed, and
| he certainly pinched himself to see that
| he was not dreaming as he went down
stairs to his study.
"a pretty kettle of fish I've got into,"
| he exclaimed, as he threw himself into
| n chair and kicked the footstool which
| Miss Reynolds had made across the
room. Lost the girl l wanted and en-
| gagged myself to something don't
| want, and l haven't any idea who 1t
| ISL
| He lit n match and went over to the
| anteroom. There lay piece Of rope on
| the floor and beside it a daintily per-
| fumed handkerchief. He picked them
| UP and went back to his study. He re-
membered now that he noticed the
scent of violets as he held her In his
arms. 1t cost him n struggle to give up
Nellie Collier. He sat and thought un-
| til long after midnight. He studied
| over all the Nellies of his congregation.
| There was Miss Reynolds, but she was
| too stout, he thought, with great sigh
| of relief; Miss Mattern was too tall. 1t
was some one whose head just reached
his shoulder. He had called her Nellie,
| he was certain of that, with some love
epithets thrown in. She was small and
dainty and, whoever she was, evident
| ly loved him.
If he found she was some one who
would not suit him, we'll. he would
have to get out Of 1t in some way.
But, whoever she was, her presence
seemed to haunt him as he sat there.
lie could feel her arms around his
neck and the pressure of her head
against his shoulder, and he felt an
| intense longing to again hold the little
white ROBBED figure in his arms and feel
| her warm breath on his cheek. And
he-dignified minister that he was
| picked up the handkerchief and kissed
| it passionately.
He scarcely knew how he got
| through the next day. He was thank
| full that the services were such that
he did not have to give regular SER
mon. He studiously avoided looking
| Mt the choir, where Nellie Collier was
| sitting, until near the close of the
| evening services, when, while Elinor
Vandever was singing solo, he turned
| that way, and for moment their eyes
met, her voice faltered for an instant
| and then rang out clear and sweet. He
| nearly let the hymnbook he was hold
ing fall to the floor in his surprise, and
sudden feeling Of relief came over
him.
Elinor Vandever! He had never
thought of her, and yet he knew that
| her pet name at home was Nellie. She
! had always been so reserved that he
had never dreamed that she would
I care for him, but there was no mis-
| taking that look.
What IL dear little thing she Is. /
| don't think that will want to give her
| up. II have been very fortunate"
| he said to himself as he met her at the
| foot of the stairs and drew her little
hand On his arm. Last evening you
didn't lie paused moment
| "You-you were not angry" she
| whispered anXiouSly. You were busy
talking to Nellie Collier, and Aunt Min
ME was ready to go, ana didn't know
how to get out of not going along with
her thought you would understand
| it,"
well, if didn't have you last night
have you tonight" he said tenderly,
pressing the little hand to his side
Chicago News.