The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-01-19
ADARK MISTAKE
10 Il Unsafe to Make Love With
out Seeing the Object Of
Affection.
Observation-Disclosures


= out Seeing the Object Of q
= Affection. =
Observation-Disclosures ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
"No use burning all these lights
down here. Ill just have to fill them
In the morning. and no use making me
work for nothing" and the old sexton
turned down the one lamp burning in
the chandelier In the room and went
out, leaving the door ajar. The light
fickered for a few moments until IN
outer door was opened, and then. with
one bright fash. 1t died out.
Up stairs there waS much laughing
and talking as the busy hands put the
finishing touches to the church decora-
tons for the morrow.
There. think that Is as we'll as we
can do" and Nellie Collier stepped
back to survey the work. I'VE need a
small piece Of rope to reach across that
seat yet, DOCTOR" she said, turning to
DR.. Graham, who was standing beside
her. 1.-TWO of those letters In that CEN
ter motto are crooked. You straighten
them, please, while get the rope. ]
know where there Is piece that will
Just do" and she hurried down the
stairs and ran against Mr.. Pitcairn as
he was entering his study.
"Whew! Dark as can be-" she said
half aloud as she entered the small an
teroom and felt her way over the closet
under the stairs.
Mr.. Pitcairn went into his study, bis
thoughts In q tumult. For months NCl-
lie Golfers laughing face had been
haunting him, and he often found that
his eyes rested on her when he was
preaching.
He waited a few minutes and then
met the little white rohed figure as she
was about leaving the room.
Nellie, want to tell you some
thing" he said, taking hold of the
hands which were full of rope.
81 have been wanting to tell you for
long time that love you. l don't
think that you can be surprised. for
you must have seen that l love you
dearly, and hope that it has not been
distaSteful 20 you, has Ii:
There was no answer. but there was
no attempt to withdraw the hands that
he held.
81 am not an adept at lovemakiug,
darling. VIII you be my wife, Ncllie?'
81 never thought that You cared for
| me-" she murmurcl. You never no.
ticed me much, and | thought you
cared for Others" came in Il low voice.
81 must have hid my feelings more
than l thought, but it WAS because |
loved you so that you thought that |
neglected you. A minister is watched
SO much and has to be so very careful.
But can you love me, darling, enough
to be my wife?"
He could scarcely hear the answer,
but he suddenly clasped her in his
arms. No matter what happened for
q few minutes. 1t was the first time
that he had been in love. and the room
was dark. He remembered afterward
that he even then felt surprised to find
that she was SO small.
IT must be going, darling" lie said
at last as he heard some one entering
| the next room. "There is n commit
tee meeting In my study. l will come
I'D stairs as soon rs can," and, Civ
ing her a last kiss, he hurried from
the room.
He was In no humor for a business
meeting. and the good brethren must
have thought that their young minis
ter was growing frivolous. he seemed
so light hearted and laughed several
times when they were discussing i'm
portant business. The truth was he
scarcely knew what vas said or done
and as soon as the last one had depart
ed he hurried up stairs. Nearly every
one had gone. but Nellie, Ibis Nellie"
was busy arranging some last flowers
In q vase, and DR.. Graham was stand
Ing beside her a.d whispering some.
thing to her while she just shook her
head and laughed.
Nellie merely glanced up as he ap,
preached.
what do you think of the decora-
tionsT she asked.
"They are fine, very fine" he answer
ed, trying to meet her glance. but she
had turned back to DIR. Graham, and
for a moment he was angry.
"Pshaw! How unreasonable l am
ne said to himself. How much more
thoughtful she Is so as not to attract
attention"
So he walked away until he saw her
preparing 10 leave.
Are you ready to go now?" he asked
In low tone. do you want to take
this basket along?"
"Why, yes-but," she hesitated an
Instant, "Dr. Graham will help me
with my things"
He suddenly dropped the basket.
"Why. Nellie. 1t is my place, not that
fellows" he exclaimed.
Nellie Golfers face flushed. 81 dc
not see how you can claim that right
any more than you have to speak Of
DR.. Graham in that manner" she said
haughtily.
"Why, Nellie, | think that what pass
ed between us this evening would eel
tainly give me the right"
"Why, hir. Pitcairn, what coull POS
sibly have passed between uS? Io
must be lahoriug under some mistake,
she exclaimed in surprise. II aaw yo
when you came into the church an
had scarcely spoken to you until yo
came here few minutes ago"
"What do you mean, after what wa
said in the antcroom when You wer
after ropc:"
"Mr. Pitcairn, II You had any CONVEX
sation with any one down stairs it eel
tainly was not with me. | went dow
after rope, but was not gone two min
utes, and you must remember that
was not the only one who had bee
down stairs after things, and If yoI
have made any arrangements to &C