El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-01-25

"Why, Mr.. Pitcairn, what could pos
| sibly have passed between us? You
must be laboriug under some mistake"
she exclaimed in surprise. Il saw you
when you came into the church and
had scarcely spoken to you until you
came here few minutes ago."
What do you mean, after what was
said in the anteroom when you were
after roper"
"Mr. Pitcairn, If you had any CONVEX
"a tion with any one down stairs it GER
tainIy was not with me. I went down
after rope, but 1 was not gone two min
utes, and you must remember that
was not the only one who had been
down stairs after things, and if you
have made any arrangements to &C
company a young lady home this even
ing it was not with your humble serv-
ant" and her black eyes danced merri-
Iy, 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 hesitated and blushed-
"a very particular friend of mine, and
you and 1 have been such good friends
that 1 will tell you a secret-we are en-
gagged"
"Oh, you little torment! 1 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
1t ourselves until this evening? And
don't know what the doctor will say to
my telling you
Mr.. Pitcairn staggered back against
. seat. II wish you every happi-
ness" he stammered, then he turned to
examining the flowers until after they
had left the church. He felt dased, 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"
7 he exclaimed, as he threw himself into
a chair and kicked the iootstOol which
Miss Reynolds had made across the
room. Lost the girl L wanted and en-
gagged myself to something L don't
want, and 1 haven't any idea who it
isv'
! He lit a 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 a 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 a great sigh
Of relief; Miss Nattern was too tall. 1t
was some one whose head just reached
LII l. N<,r1s
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, well, he would
have to get out Of it in some way.
But, whoever she was, her presence
seemed to haunt him Al he sat there.
neck and the pressure of her head
against his shoulder, and he felt an
intense longing to again hold the little
white robed figure in bis arms and feel
her warm breath on his cheek And
he-dignified minister that he was
picked up the handkerchief and kissed
1t passionately.
He scarcely knew how he got
full that the services were such that
he did not have to give regular ser
mon. He studiously avoided looking |
at the choir, where Nellie Collier was |
sitting, until near the close of the |
evening services, when, while Elinor |
Vandever was singing a solo, he turned |
that way, and for a momsnt their eyes |
met, her voice faltered for an instant |
nd hon a
nearly let the hymnbook he was hold
ing fall to the floor in his surprise, and
q 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
care for him. but there was no mis-
taking that look.
What dear little thing she is.- I
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
He paused a moment.
''YOu-you were not angry?' she
|
talking to Nellie Collier, and Aunt Min
ME was ready to go, and didn't know
how to get out of not going along with
her. L thought you would understand
it."
''Well, if L didn't have you last night
1 have you tonight he said tenderly,
pressing the little hand to his side.-
Chicago News. 4
Grasshopper For Luck.
Should you be reposing III summer in