Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-01-17
BECAUSE.

your giving uD Mrs. PrestonS recep-
tion for an old tiresome prayer meet
ing. Why, you can go to meeting
every week. but it isn't very often one
has the streak of good luck to be in
gited to brilliant reception"
Il don't blame you. Alice. for be-
ting surprised at the turn of affairs.
1t seems that Miss Rice had to go
away suddenly and was unable to en-
gage substitute to play at the Fri
lay prayer meeting. Mr.. Allen asked
me as a last resort. and after a great
deal of teasing l consented to give
dp the reception for plague old pray
er meeting. Now. Allie. dear. if you
tease me any more about it I'll give
in the very last minute and disappoint
the Rev. Sydney Allen. And you'll
admit that would be rather hard on
a new minister.
81 suppose all the girls will think
I've turned goody goody when they
hear of it. but it's no such thing. l
never felt SO rebellious and wicked in
ell my life as ! did yesterday, when |
promised to play on Friday evening.
81 don't think I would have given
in if grandpa hadn't come in and said
20 Mr.. Allen. of course Jennie will
gladly accommodate you. | knew
then it would be useless to refuse,
so | said yes in my snappiest tone.
What can't be cured must be endured.
I do hope that you will have lovely
time at Mrs. Preston's. and when you
are enjoying yourself do not forget
poor little me listening to hallelujahs
and loud amens."
1t was Friday night. and the YES
try of the Methodist church on Shir-
icy avenue was pretty well filled with
worshippers. They were just singing
How Firm a Foundation" when a
finely built young man entered the
room and took seat in the rear. His
magnificent baritone Joined in the
hymn. Somehow it must have reached
the ear of the player, for she glanced
up quickly. AS if by magic eye met
eye. A clashing discord made Jennie
Norton realize that she must attend
strictly to business. so with height
ened color and somewhat unsteady
fingers the hymn was finished.
At the close of the meeting Jennie
Norton chatted with several. but
kept out of the way of Mr.. Gordon
She spent fully five minutes talking
pleasantly with the pastor. Gerald
could harly keep his patience under
control as he noticed the look of
honest admiration in the eyes of Mr..
Allen.
Old Deacon Norton was much
amused at the actions of the young
people. He well knew that his grand
daughter Jennie was simply using her
coquetry on the young minister to
arouse Gerald Gordons jealousy.
Two years ago young Gordon had
proposed to Jennie. but Just for the
fun of it. as she afterward told her
most intimate friends. she gave him
t'no" for an answer.
Love is blind" or else the young
man would certainly have seen the
love in Jennie's sparkling eyes. Men
in love will always have the sad les
son to learn that, as rule, womans
"no" means yes" Swallowing his
disappointment as best he could. Mr..
Gordon went abroad. and for two
years Jennie had heard from him only
through his sister Alice.
Poor Jennie often regretted her
foolishness, but was too stubborn to
let Gerald know. On the day of the
reception the Gordon family were sur
prised at the arrival of Gerald. At the
dinner table Alice was telling the
20 hnu
to give up the reception. The result
was that Gerald found his way to the
prayer meeting that night.
No wonder the young man could
hardly restrain himself when he no
ticed how Jennie avoided him and yet
Iavished her smiles and honeyed
words on others.
Gerald, my boy. where have you
been keeping yourself all this time?
am glad to see you in Boston again.
It has been very lonesome at the
house since you went to Europe.
Jennie hasn't seemed like the same
girl, and / almost think that you
managed to take the sunshine with
you. l am sure / don't know what's
keeping the naughty puss tonight. She
Is usually only too anxious to get
away from the meeting, but this even
ing she is bold enough to f1irt even
with . the new parson. Young man,
you'd better put in an oar. or some
one else will win the prize. I'm going
Tell Jennie that l asked you to see
her home. Remember. Gerald. faint
heart never won fair lady.
With this particular advice Jennie's
grandfather left the encouraged
sutor.
With a determined look on his
handsome face Gerald Gordon strobe
up TO the pair and delivered to the
now trembling girl Deacon Norton's
message. Miss Norton welcomed him
home and accepted his escort She
then introduced the somewhat embar-
rassed minister. He. seeing how