Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1900-07-07

WON BY MISTAKE.

girl, and IL you want her to put
on spectaclcs and take to the doctrine
Of lost souls. don't. like her better
just rs she Is"
And the two elderly ladies went in,
with their bowl of sparkling red cur.
rants, leaving their unseen auditor
still sitting among the cherry bOughs,
with her bright brown curls all blown
about and the scarlet velvet Of her lips
deeper and ruddier than ever.
Dear me!' thought Bessie, "herc's
n revelatiOn-our Minerva in love!
didn't know women who wore spec.
tacles ever did fall in love. And Mr.
Leroy male coquette! Well, never
should have thought that Of Mr.. Leroy
l really think, as mamma says, some
one ought to speak to him. I've a
great mind to speak to him myself
and, fired with the ardor of her new
plan, Bessie slid nimbly down from
her perch in the cherry tree, to the
great establishment Of her friends, the
robins, and ran into the house.
II won't stop to consult mother OF
nunty," thought eager Bessie, "for
know they'd think l ought not to
speak, just because I'm only sixteen
years old"
So Miss Bessie stole like a white
mouse along the hall, and tapped soft.
ly at Mr.. Leroy's study door.
"COme in," called the clear, sonorOus
voice Of the young clergyman.
Not until our Bessie was fairly in
the room did she fully realize the awk-
wardness Of her position. Then, with
the roses mantling OH her cheek, and
her head hung down. she stood pref,
ty picture Of maiden confusion.
"M--Miss Bessie" said Mr.. Leroy,
abstractedly, glancing up from his pa
per and Frightening visibty when he
saw who it was, II am happy to see
such little sunbeam in my gloomy
old study. Sit down."
"No, sir, 1 can't stay" said Bessie,
taking courage II only came to speak
to you. sir. about about being mar.
ried."
"About being married. echoed Mr..
Leroy, in genuine establishment.
"Yes, SIR" went OH Bessie, twisting
her fingers together; "the people in
the parish think you could do SO much
more good IL you were married.
$50 might" assented the minister,
musingly. Il have thought Of that
myself"
"Oh, then you have thought Of 1t,
sir" cried Bessie, delightedly. Il am
so glad"
Bessie l have been here a long
time"
"Yes, sir; know you have"
"Should you be sorry to have me 60
away"
Bessie lifted her eyes with n roguIsh
sparkle beneath their curling brown
lashes. "You need not go away, sir,
that is, II -"
III what, Bessie"
Mother caid this morning she would
be proud to be the minister's mother.
in.law."
Mr.. Leroy looked a little surprised
but not at all displeased. as Bessie
stood demurely before him with her
roseate cheeks and dishevplled curls
like schoolgirl on her bad behavior.
"Did she really say so, Bessie?"
II heard her say so.''
ITO yOu?' ",,.
mo, not to &c, sir"
"Bessie. would you like it?"
"Oh. sir, should be so delighted!'
cried Bessie clapping her hands glee-
fully.
"A minister's wife has many trials
to deal with, Bessie"
"Oh, yes sir; but If she loves hel
liusband?"
do you think my little wife would
love her husband"
How strange it was to think of Mi
nerva as little wife!' Bessie
thought love must have cast a glamour
on the young minister's eyes; but she
answered, nevertheless
II nm sure Of 1t, sir; Minerva Is &c
sensible and learned"
Yes, l KNOW" answered Mr.. Leroy
with something of puzzled express
sion In his face. miss Minerva Is q
very worthy person, indeed, and
shall lie very happy to be connected
however distantly, with her.
Bessie stared Until her blue eyes
were like newly-opened bluebells
What on earth did the minister mean
Mr.. Leroy, however. appeared to bt
very clear on the subject Of his 'in
tention." He took Bcssie's hand In
his and drew her toward him with
caressing gentleness that the young
girl felt to be very pleasant.
But you, Bessie, my dear little wild
flower, when you are my wife"
~" echoed Bessie. suddenly becom
ing as rosy rs her own pink neck
ribbon. II your wife. Mr.. Leroy"
"Who else" demanded the young
minister, with n puzzled countenancc
II have been n love with you for the
last three months, my Bessie. "Nay
do not try so tremblinSly to escape
from me! Sureiy-surely I am MOI
SO disagreenble to you as that"
"N-no," hesitated Bessie. "it ISM
that-but thought 1t was Minerva
Mr.. Leroy lrughed.
II respect Miss Minerva very sin
cerely; but I should just rs soon thInl
OF marrying my Greek dictionary"
"But I am such silly little goose
and am only sixteen. and mamma
and Minerva are always scolding me!
But" mimmicked Mr.. Leroy, with
playful fonuneEs. they will not scolt
the minister's wife! And I shall nevel
let the winds of heaven blow to,