The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-02-19

its esgerness.
Certainly not" the girls quiet
tones fell like q balm on his fevered |
pulses. lie turned quickly and caught
her hands.
How can L thank you," he SAID
warmly.
She colored slightly and answered
him with a question about church dec
grafton.
The minister walked home under the
clear winter skies and the crisp sod
seemed to bound beneath his feet. He
was toe excited TO think of sleeping or
reading; he wanted to sit down before
his fire and go over it all again. How
kind and friendly she had been; what
a delicious cosy half hourl Three days
of choir practice, and then the carols
and Christmas day. Surely the
thought had been H~eaven-sent. Christ.
mas day would iiud her happy.
II was Christmas eve. The little
church at Deerwood was as Christmas
like as eager hands and LOVING hearts
could make IL. Candles glowed among
the eyergreens about the altar and
cleaned against the white berried mis-
tletoe and the rich red holly. Soft
gray moss wrapped the pillars and fell
in festoons from their capitals.
Up in the choir, a man and woman
were making final arrangements aud
settling last points about the carols.
They were standing close together and
their bent heads almost touched. The
minister saw them as he came out of
} the vestry.
1T will be all right" he told him
self mechanically. In the last busy
| days he had lost sight Of the matter,
but it came back to him now with a
. rush. He felt suddenly very tired.
Some Of the walchful eyes noticed
= that their young minister looked rather
white as he came under the strong
. light Over the altar ant whispered uu-
easily to their n%eighbors; but when he
> began to speak they forgot the man in
. his message. How eagerly he told the
' old sweet story; how tenderly he plead
ed for the supremacy of that peace and
goodwill. A message H~eaven-sent,
and right nobly delivered.
J 1t was over at last. The congrega'
{, ton drew a deep, quivering breath, the
carols rang out trumphantly joyous.
. and warm hands grasped the minister's
with good wishes and blessings. Then
they went away touched and happy
and the minister turned into the yes
70 try. The eXhilaration of excitement
% slipped from HIM like a garment anC
u again he realized that he was tired.
u Blanch Mereton was standing before
% the vestry fire. He had forgotten tina
Is she was to meet him there, and thu
u sight of her startled him.
y elm SO glad L had to see you abou
, u the music tomorrow she said frankly
= I" 1t permits me to thank you for" sh'
paused and added, in a low voice, :"
cannot tell you what it has done TO
~ me. L was not really alive BEFORE"
"Thank you," he replied, gravely
u {" L trust you will be very happy"
., Will be? Why, l am nOw. L hav,
III been such a selfish creature. i neve
realized what goodwill. meant. 1t i
I" the sunshine of the soul"
eyes," he said. He came into tn,
u freight and his face looked bleak an,
cold. "I wish to offer good wise.
B. for your happiness-and H%amlin's."
81 "Hamlin," she repeated. The,
IL Lor eyes shot from under his and sh,
ouihSu olNuJ thO hiO. ~ JOu ul'
believe that silly rumoI?" she said il
~ a low voice.
10 Believe? Tell me isn't"-
s. emo"
II The minister moved nd stood beside
her.
CT thought it was all settled" b,
d said in an underLone, "and the though
- was-agony."
a The girl slipped her fingers into hi'
half closed palm.
"Pm sorry" she SAID vaguely.
g His hand closed eagerly on those
y slim fingers.
10 "Blanchl"
s There were voices outside the door
&c The rest of the choir was coming Il
u the consultation.
"Please, dear" he whispered
I" just one for a Christmas present."
She lifted her lips and gave il to hin
u right royalty. Such was the minister,
u Christmas present. A kiss from TIT
lips of the woman he loved and with il
s the whole wealth Of her wonderful
B w~Oman-love.