Smyrna times., 1900-01-03

cd between us this evening would Ger.
tainIy 5ive me the right"
why. Mr.. Pitcairn, what could pos.
sibly have passed between us? You
must be laboring 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 rOpeY
''Mr. Pitcairn. if you had any CONVEX
satiOn with any one down stairs it GER
tainly was not with me. went down
after rope. but was not gone two min
utes, and you must remember that l
was not the only one who had been
down stairs after things. and if you
have made any arrangements to ac-
company young lady home this even
ing it 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.
III forgive you for calling DR.. Gra-
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 have been such good friends
that l will tell you a secret-we are en-
| gagged"
"Oh, 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
don't know what the doctor will say to
my telling you"
Mr.. Pitcairn staggered back against
a seat. IL wish you every happi
ness" he stammered. 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
chair and kicked the footstoOl which
Miss Reynolds had made across the
room. Lost the girl | wanted and en-
gagged myself to something | don't
want, and l haven't any idea who it
isw
He lit a match and went over to the
anteroom. There lay piece of rope on
the floor and beside it 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 struggle to give up
Nellie Collier. He sat and thought un-
ill 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 lie 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
j., seemed to haunt him as he sat there
He could feel her arms around his
neck and the pressure of her heaC
against his shoulder. and he felt al
;, intense longing to again hold the little
- white rObed figure in his arms and fee
her warm breath on his cheek. An(
:, he-dignified minister that he was
picked up the handkerchief and kissed
q it passionately.
: He scarcely knew how he go
7 through the next day. He was thank
= full that the services were such tina
, he did not have to give a regular ser
!, mon. He StudiOusly avoided looking
AT the choir where Nellie Collier wa
. sitting. until near the close of tn
- evening services. when. while Elmo
- Vandever was singing a solo. he turne
- that way, and for a moment their eye
met. her voice faltered for an instan
II and then rang out clear and sweet. ii
~ nearly let the hymnboo'' he was hold
ing fall to the floor in his surprise, an
"a a sudden feeling of relief came owe
- him.
Il. Elinor Vandever! He had neve
no thought of her, and yet he knew th6
" her pet name at home was Nellie. Sh
mn had always been so reserved that b
had never dreamed that she wOul
ss care for him. but there was no mi
st taking that look.
Is. ''What n dear little thing she is.
ed don't think that will want to give hC
al up. IL have been very fortunate
M he said to himself as he met her at IL
no foot of the stairs and drew her litt
40 hand on his arm. Last evening yC
rt- didn't He paused a moment.
rv 'YOu-yOu were not angryT 81
> !" whispered anxiously. you were bus
,rs talking to Nellie Collier. and Aunt Mi
NJ. ME was ready to GO and didn't kno
10. how to get out of not going along wit
,er her. thought you would understaI
it,"
IN ''Well. If didn't have you last mig
| have you tonight" he said tenderl
ra- pressing the little hand to his side.
Chicago News.