The Savannah morning news., 1901-12-29

way LACL lllSS WCIS SGl SOlIlk again
by cry from Marge, who had kept up
steady vigil at the bay window
20, mommy, yonder. comes the new
preacheri / just know he's going down
to the Buckleys to see Miss Arabella
cause everybody says"
And what difference does it make
to us if he goes to live with the Buck
leys?" snapped Mrs. Humphries.
I'm sure we've got no control over
his movements, and what's more
wouldn't have if we could. AS for
Arabella, it's town talk already that
she set her cap for the minister long
before he came to Rayville.'
%, mommy," cried Madge, who had
found something outside more interest
ing than her mothers talk. DO come
here and look! The wind has blown
/ :Srother Bakers hat eff and he's chas-
ing it down the street for all the world
like the way Ffdo ran after Mrs Blair
cat the other day!"
Mrs. HUMPHREYS boosted indifference
vanished like mist in summer. In an
swer to the summons she FASTENED to
the window. And such sight as met
her curious gael 1t would have been
ludicrous had it not seemed so painfully
real and earnest,
Down the street on the wings of the
wind, looking more like a black ball
than hat, came the ministers hat
and following in it's wake came the
painting owner at a pace that a cross
country racer might have envied. The
tails of his long coat tapped exasper-
atingly around his legs as he ran and
his usually thoughtful cast of counten-
ance had given place to tense, strain
ed expression.
At times the recreant headgear would
lie but few feet in front of him, only
to be up and away like a fash when
ever his eager grasp shot out to secure
nothing but a handful of dirt and
gravel. Now 1t would ricochet from
the sidewalk, dodge past the nearest
hitching post and scurry down the
public road as if it enjoyed putting
its putting pursuer to SO much trou-
BILE.
20 mommy," exclaimed Madge, who
had enjoyed the race immensely ana
giggled necessarily throughout it all.
II do believe it's going to blow right
over into our front yard. The winds
bringing it this way now
Sure enough, a sudden gust had
snatched the hat directly from under
the clergyman's too-confident grasp,
and lifted it over the low gate that led
up to the Humphries' cottage.
There, now, told you sol It's fall
len just to the right of the steps in the
zinnia bed"
Mrs. HUMPHREYS was not slow to
note the possible advantages which
might be gained from the situation.
Hurry, Madge, ana run out after II
so you can hand it to Brother Baxter
when he comes -up!" she directed, MAX
ing frantic snatches at her hair, talk
ing and gesticulating all at the same
time.
Madge was not slow in obeying. She
hurried outside in time to secure the
truant hat and meet the winded min
lister as he came Imply up the walk.
Could this be the gifted divine VINO
had but yesterday won his congrega-
tons esteem by his earnest bearing
and held them spell-bound with his
eloduence? His hair was disheVeled,
his clothing rumpled, and he felt dim
ly conscious that he looked lar from
attractive with his tie at the back OF
his neck.
Moreover his hand was bleeding
from contact with the coarse gravel
and, taken altogether, his appearance
was such as to make him a target Ior
criticism and ridicule.
He managed to make the best OF the
situation by accepting his hat from
the child with all the grace he could
command under the circumstances.
Then he turned to address a few re-
marks to her mother, who had just
come out on the portico.
There was a light of amusement III
Mrs. HUMPHREYS eyes that was plain
ly discernible and as the humorous
side of the whole affair dawned upon
him he burst into a At of uncontrolla-
BILE laughter in which the widow join
ed heartily.
do come in, Brother Baxter" she
entreated, when their mutual merri-
ment had subsidized. You must be tired
by this time. Anyway, you look it,"
And feel so near 1t, Sister Hum
phries, that a second invitation is UNI
necessary, assure you. l hardly feel
strong enough to continue my call to
Sister Buckeyes at present"
Once indoors, where he could battle
his face and bind up his injured hand,
he felt SO comfortable that he fingered
in the cozy little parlor until luncheon
was announced.
Then he hadn't the heart to refuse
Mrs. HUMPHREYS earnest request that
he remain. During the meal she was
the soul of hospitality and insisted so
often that he submit to a third helping
of ounce preserves, rhubarb pie, and
other enticing edibles that visions of a
sleepless night rose up before him and
he wisely abstained.
After they had lunched she brought
all of her powers of entertainment into
play in order to. keep him away from
the Buckleys. In this she was emil
nently successful. for he remained till
almost shutdown and went away with
the well-formed impression that he had
met one of the most entertaining little
women of his flock.
You see now, mommy, that the
wind wasn't so bad after ALL" ven
tured Madge when their visitor had
departed.
Yes, dearie," answered her mother.
now in the best humor. I'VE would
never have enjoyed such a pleasant
afternoon II the wind hadn't brought
Brother Baxter this way. Mamma
was feeling very badly this morning
and said a great many things she's
sorry for"
There was little cause for regret.
for the minister renewed his attentions
to such purpose that ere the summer
waned she consented to share his joys
and trials with him for life and Ray
vile was startled by quiet wedding
one day.
II would never have believed II IN
the world" said Mrs. CASTOR one aft
ernoon 10 a crowd of gossipers. 81 just
know she had her plans laid for cap
turing him all along. o, she was
sly little bodyl"
But Mrs. Baxter kept her own coun-
sci and was supremely happy.
-e-o-s
The Genuine Article He. Darling,