Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-10-31
ABILENE WEEKLY REFLECTOR ABILENE NSS OCTOBER 81 1901 -TW PAGES
A STRANGE MISSION.
BY ELLA u. HESS.

VI should like to do something 10
help the miss 'onarias," said Gertle
White to Mr.. Storm the near-sighted,
good-natured old pastor.
Are you in earnest, Gertia?'
"Of course | am In earn st" said
Gertie, a pretty. dark-eyed lass e. with
waving hair and lips red as holy Der.
ries.
Because said the old gen -leman,
thoughtfully, I've heard Of vacancy
that wants filling. But 1t Is rather a
mental position"
Nothing Is menial In the details OF
missionary life.' said enthusiastic
Gertie.
1.-THE Reverend James Marshton Is
going to Brazil on a special mission to
the heathpn-"
"Oh, that Is glorious" cr'ei Gert.e
with kindllng cheeks and eyes.
"And he wants hep
"A help?"
"Well, my dear, to put II in pain
English" said the old man, Il suppose
he means a servant maid. He has
written to me to know If can recon-.
mend a meek spirited, efficient young
woman. who would not shrink from
the path Of duty. however thorny the
path might prove"
1.-THE very thing" cried Gertie. "And
az for servants are we not all the ser.
wants of one Master? Yes, I'll go to
Brazil-that Is If the Reverend Mr..
Marshton will take M. Stree poor
mamma died and my sister Mary mar.
rled, there is nothing on earth to keep
me In one place more than another.
But what sort Of person Is this Rev
prend James Marshton?" with III
tie natural curiosity
" don't know, my dear sad Mr..
Storm. "Our communications have
been carried on entirely by letter. and
I shouldn't know him II | were to
meet him tomorrow face 10 face. But
| saw Mrs. Marshton once-a pretty,
little. old lady. with white curls and q
face like winter APPLE
"Tll gov' said Gerte, promptly :"
can sew, cook. wash and iron; and,
whatever I can't do, shall be glad
and willing to learn
"That's the right spirit, my dear"
beamed Mr.. Storm
allow soon will my services be re-
quiredT
AT once-so my correspondent
says"
'Then I'll 60 at once" said Gerttc.
"Please give me the address,
=
James Marshton was sitting alone
in his little study, before a meagre fire,
drinking a cup Of poorly made tea for
the landlady didn't think It worth her
while to put herself out for a lodger
who was so soon going to emigrate to
Brazil.
He was a tall, pleasant-faced young
man with dark, penslve eyes, dark
beard, and features that betoken deli.
cacy Of character and extreme refine
ment; and, as he sat there, he was
mentally taking himself to task, In
that his heart should fail at the very
outset Of the career he had most COW
eted ever since graduating from tho
theological institute.
"Aloner soliloqulzed Mr.. Marshton.
"Of course l must 60 alone. What
right have l to expect anything else'
Is It for me, one of the humblest work
ers in my Masters vineyard, to pick
and choose how, when and where l
am to be employed! And"
Just here came soft, little futter
at the door. Mr.. Marshton paused
and listened.
ats my landlady's cat" said he,
"Poor thing! I'm almost sorry that !
made a pet Of her. She'll be lonesome
when I am gone; and perhaps, on the
whole, 1t may be better for me not to
let her In"
Tap, tap, tap. Again came the hest
tating, uncertain sound.
"The cat never made a noise like
that beforew cried the Reverend
James Marshton, much marveling.
And he rose, set down the cup Of
lukewarm tea, and opened the door.
There stood a pretty young woman
In dark, violating suit edged with
fur, and a face like q rosebud, al
bushes and sparkles.
"Does the Reverend Mr.. Marshton
1--WE herer asked Gertie White.
"That Is my name" said the rever.
end gentleman.
III you please, SIR" said Gertie