Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-10-31
delicate"

sdlu GeTue. Anu uuuci 'eah" 49,
the branches of housewo:k. ard
really think | can suit YOU"
but your friends
II have no friends who Will miss
me much,' said Gertie, speaking with
dew In her eyes and little quiver 10
her voice. "Henceforward, my mis-
sion. will be all in all to me-"
~ wish I could have seen a little
more Of you,' said the Reverend
James Marshton. "All this Is rather
sudden, you know"
Everything is sudden-just at the
last" said G rite, cheerily. "You
need have no fears, sir; am certain
l shall suit YOU"
He held out his hand with a bright
smile.
swell spoken, Geltie" said he.
There Is an electricity In your look
and voice that encourages me In q
most marvellous degree. But I desire
you to think 1t well over before you
decide"
my decision was made the hrst
hour that Mr.. Storm mentioned your
name to me-" said Gertie White.
Strange strange" said Mr..
Marshton, instinctively stroking his
silky beard. "And you really think,
Miss White-Gertie, would say-that
you will bear all the hardships and
difficulties incident to the life Of .
missionary'r wifeT
"Of a-whatT questioned Gertle,
not quite certain she had heard Alright.
"Of a missonary's wife, solemnly
repeated Mr.. Marsllton.
"Of whose wife" asked Gertie.
"Of my wife"
Gertie rose to her feet, blushIng like
rose.
FL never dreamed Of this" said
she. "Mr. Storm told me that YOU
wanted help"
"A helpmeet," gravely explained the
young clergyman.
"But Mrs. James Marslton?
"Eh?' said Mr.. Mai shton.
"A little old lady with silver curls,
and a fresh complexion faltered Ger
tie. "Mr Storm said he had seen her"
"rhat was my mother said the
mlssionary-elect "Sfe died a year
since. Had she been with me still,
should have needed no one to ho,d up
nv weary hands or cheer my solitary
hours"
Gertle put both hands over her scar
let face.
"Oh, how could Mr.. Storm make
such q bIunder?' she cred
"rm afraid it was partly my own
fault" said the young man. my
handwriting is apt to be llleglble at
times. II am very sorry, Miss
White
"What must you think of me-" fall
tered the girl.
IT think you are sweet looking
Young woman" said the missionary,
gaining courage, ''and you seem very
much in earnest. l don't see why you
can't be my helpmeet in good earnest.
II Is true we have not known each
other long; but we have each Mr..
Storms kind recommendation, and II
I am not positively disagreeable to
YOU"
ooh l don't dislike you at air. in
terrupted Gertie, laughing In spite OF
herself, at the comicality of the Sit
uation.
0Then," said the Reverend James
Marshton. 1--WE will send for college,
mate of mine, whose parish residence
Is in the next street. and we'll be mar
ried at once"
Gertie White hesitated.
"But will that be helping the mis-
slonaries?' said she.
ut will be helping one particular
missionary very much indeed" said
the Reverend James Marshton.
"Well-perhaps-if 1t won't seem 90
very strange" said Gertle.
rs 1t yesr pressed the young cler
gyman.
"I-suppose-so," said Gertle.
And when the ship Monitor sailed
for It's future destination, containing
In her list Of passengers the names Of
"The Reverend James Marshton and
wife" few who read the register
knew how It had all happened.
But the Reverend James Marshton
was very happy, and SO was his wife.