The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1900-12-04

was regarded as quite an
event by the congregation. A new
minister is always an object of interest
to his people for month or two, then
the interest flags, and finally he is ac-
cepted as a matter OF course. and
generally to his delights no longer
fused over.
But this particular divine seemed
likely to keep speculation going for
lorger period than the customary nine
days, and, being a somewhat humor-
GUS fellow, he thoroughly enjoyed it.
For the Reverend Jerome Grant was
married--warrante by the gossips
to have no lady love-young, handsome
and possessed of a private income,
which made salary secondary consld-
eraEon Perhaps that was as well, for
the Locust Hollow flock were not any
too prompt about paying ministers
salaries, and, il one might judge by
such things as yearly reduction OF the
same, were willing, as one young fel-
low said on a certain occasion, that the
particular clergyman who had the
leading of that particular people,
should be allowed to live entirely by
the grace of God"
Now, in Locust Hollow, there were a
number of very plump and pretty girls
with few slim, graceful damsels; but
| the plump ones outnumbsred the slim
| as always is the case in country vii
lages, with fresh air, healthy diet, reg
| uar hours, and no heavier dissipations
than a picnic or two yearly, in some
grove in the village, with swings
among the trees, a light lunch spread
on o cloth laid over the grass, and per
chance a dance on the green, performed
By the merry young people, with less
grace than zest, is it wonderful thai
cheeks remain round and eyes brilliant
in such places as Locust Hollow?
Among the very plumpest of the vii
laga naidens was Gussie Elliston; an(
Miss Gussie's blue eyes and radiant
red-and-white complexion seemed t
have found favor in the eyes of MI
Grant. for he speedily placed himsel
on familiar footing at the long, loY
farmhouse, where he met with yer,
warm greetings from the farmer ant
his wife, and dimpling smiles and sh,
bushes from their daughter.
Among the very slimmest and pales
of those who listened to the youni
minister Sunday after Sunday wa
Louise vennevale, the daughter of
helpless widow, who lived little on
of the village and who had therefor
escaped the knowledge of Jerome TO
some time.
Perhaps Louise's cheeks would hav
had more color in them and her eye
less of that wistful tenderness, did nc
the burden Of her own and her inyali
mothers support fall on her sligh
young shoulders.
But dav after day-on cold, dar
days, when winds swept weirdly by tn
little cottage-on warm, wooing day
when her pulses throbbed with longin
to be out among the violets-she ss
quietly at the little window, her brow
head bent over the sewing in he
hands. the garments to be worn b
more fortunate ones than hersel
which she with deft fingers fashione
Jerome had noticed the girls sWee
, patient face, and wondered why
only saw it on Sunday-wondered no
it was he had = yer seen it in the man
1 homes that b; been open for him
enter at. q welcome guest
But Gussies blue eyes had bee
: enough like violets to make him spec
lily forget the wfstful brown ones, al
. ii was not until he had been install'
5 at Locust Hollow for three month
and had begun to think that Gussie E
liston would make very sweet mil
isters wife, that accident brought hi
TO the door Of the cottage which I
Widow venneyale and her daught
, occupied.
! It was warm: the young man W
: too. and tired, from long ramble;
was thirsty, as we'll; and so, after he
: itating a few moments, he knock
lightly on the open door, intending
ask for a glass Of water.
His knock had not been heard, e'