Mexico Missouri message., 1901-11-07
WOOing Ct the Minister.
BY SARA LINDSEY COLEMAN.
Copyright. 1901. by Daily story Pub. COZ

Copyright. 1901, by Daily Story Pub. COZ
The most careless observer among
the villagers might have noticed some
thing unusual In the Reverend Mr..
Wigglesworth's manner that night
The Widow Mclean was the first to
see Il; she dropped her eyes In blush
ing confusion and did not lift them
until the end OF the service when she
led the choir in a triumphant song.
Mr. Wiggesworth was bachelor
and a scholar, little seamy along the
back, little frayed out at the wrists.
a timid, selfconsclous, gentle, forget
full man with dreamy, patient eyes for
ever turned inward on brain toilins
with distractions.
Miss LILA Ellington noticed it, and
az the sermon progressed the mem
bers OF the flock turned in their seats
and stared at each other. Some mys-
ferrous change had taken place in him.
He stood erect, his figure was animal
ed, he looked years younger; in his
usually pale cheeks the color came and
went and his eyes were alight with en-
thusiasm.
As the congregation passed out from
the church, on all sides there was un-
stinted praise OF the sermon.
The minister hurried home to his
modest room. flung himself into chair
by an open window, and gazed on the
beauty Of a moon flooded Southern
night. The perfume OF the jessamine
that climbed about the window was
in his nostrils the exquisite song OF
mocking-bird pouring forth its mel
ody from near tree was in his brain.
she loves me-" he muttered, and
again, she loves me-"
He knew women 80 slightly. Seen
through a veil Of mystery, they were
such formidable creatures and yet the
priest in him giving place to the man
he had often longed to lift that veil He
had felt sudden heartache for ties
he had never known-sweet, warm hui
man ties.
That night, ms he had gone up the
steps OF the church the Widow Mclean,
who was as comely and young and
pretty as any girl among his flock, had
stepped on her dress and fallen down
ward. The minister had lifted her to
her feet, her soft fingers had closed
over his hand. You are SO good y
she had murmured and with Il quick,
spontaneous burst OF passion, and a
modesty that was enchanting, she
lifted his hand. pressed her warm, red
lips to it. and glided into the church.
An hour passed the minister had
not moved from his chair; another
hour. he sprang up IF she ever does
1t again I will marry her" he declared
enthusiastically And in the morning
when the breeze fluttering at his win
dow blinds awoke him, III she ever
does it again" he muttered. half
awake, he sprang to his feet, Il will
marry her anyway" he vowed.
He could hardly wait, so eager a
lover had he become by afternoon, for
the return of the small colored boy
who carried his message of love. Like
most timid men he had trusted his fate
TO written message.
The afternoon was hot. Eliza FL
lington, who had spent the morning In
the household work that was always SC
much harder on Monday. had taken
some sewing to the cool Swallowed
depths Of the grape arbor at the back
of her simple home. Her sewing lay
beside her untouched. Her figure
dropped, her eyes were downcast, her
delicate brows arched with melan-
choly. She could not escape the knowl-
edge that thoughts Of the minister had
become a source OF disquietude.
All unaware the little love god had
nestled in her heart Poor starved
heart that refused to be old at thirty
that cried out for the rights that be-
longed to its womanhood.
Into the quiet nook and upon the
solitude of her thoughts little negro
boy with outstretched hand that held a
note obtruded himself.
She read the note. turned 1t over