The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-08-08
HER CHOICE OF REDS
By GRACE I. HILL.

color coming nearer, while she grayely tod
the minister she could not play golf that
morning.
1t was David Halsteads old red flannel
shirt that glimmered through the trees. SEE
had known it from the first. 1t was open at
the throat little, showing where the white
skin met the sunburn OF his neck. AS he
looked toward the two at the window he
gravely lifted the large straw farm hat rem
forehead fine in outline where the dalap
clustered in dark rings. He thought the co.of
in -Mary's cheek was reflection from the
minister's red jacket, and she saw he thought
SO and blushed the more
You'll be out tonight, of course, Mr..
Halstead?" the minister called joyously. He
was young, and he was glad to be here and
looking forward eagerly to the reception In
his new, first church.
shadow of trouble fitting over his face. "s5y
mother is not we'll" Then he turned away,
bowling the homage to the girl at the window.
The icing the cake hardened perfectly
| and did Mrs. Cassell's reputation as cake
maker high honor. Two women of the con-
gregation sat eating it by the window Of the
Sunday school that looked diagonally acrosf
| to the infant class windows. Their talk
| foated through the sweet night air:
Eyes, this is Mis- Cassell's cake. was up
| there to-day. She's just fxin' fer their Mary
| to carry off the minister with high hand,
| and all because she's the only girl in town
| has been to college. AS If she was any bet
ter fer that to keep house and be president
Of the woman's missionary societies and sew
on his buttons. There's other girls in Fern
| wood good lookin' and capable as she is"
/ The girl across in the other window pa
| uently cutting cake, turned white with an
| ger, and, throwing down her knife, shs
rushed out of the open door and down the
| path between the gravestones of the church
| yard. z%gs.- Fi $50
! She ran on down the road after she had
passed the churchyard gate, her white dress
| cleaning in the moonlight. - - IT,
| "Mary!' called voice behind her, and she
heard footsteps. She but ran the faster.
Mary came voice more clearly now,
l. and she suddenly stopped. No; that was not
| the minister. ~.r"~'-r~ '.-'- -5s.s
David! Is that you?" she asked, and
there was the choke in her voice he remem-
| bered that time they went. swadlng In the
| brook years ago and she got a thorn In. her
| foot. s = ~. = -. ..---. >
81 was going down to see how your mother
| is" she falte1 ed in her college voice.
| Mary there are tears on your face. w no
are you running away from?' .=-r--sf--E :
| From Mrs Banks and Mrs. Nettleton and
-and-the minister" broke down Mary in
her voice of long ago, shame and tears and
laughter mingling in her tones. =
MARY is this true?" questioned David
Be- |
| roughened palm to the moonlight that ne
might see. ~ ~
eyes, David She raised her gray eyes
glistening with tears, to his am instant and
let them drop, and then David folded mel
unresisting in his arms.
Il IT thought you cared for him" said David
! when he could master the great JOY IN hii
voice, land I would not let old vows stane
! in your way If you love some one else
: Mary, he is more your equal. He is edu
Gated and has a career before him. You
e know that it is too late for me ever to MAKE
Of my life what I dreamed in my poynooe
f days. Mary, are you sure?'
8 "Sure, David-sure beyond doubt! d.
!. you think my love has not grown with these
e years Of. sacrifice on your part? DO yo'
think I-cannot recognize true nobleness? Oh
J., ! David, the new minister is good man, bu
E I doubt if he would be capable of giving
: up everything that life held dear for the i'll
d ture to save mortgaged farm and care 10
n a sick mother. I made my choice long, loni
e ago, and will never change it" And sh
raised to his face TRANSPORTED by love ant
4 faith,