The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-10
THE ADVERTISERS DAILY SHORT STORY
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{ v VI wsxs,sx&a.ssissxs eatxs The minister of Dserwood was con. much in earnest. Since hia arrival In their midst, nearly . year ago, there were few in hts congregation who had not not fen the sympathetic touch of his iarge love. But there was one to whom ms heart went out In eager sympathy, yet for whom he felt that he had done practically nothing. Blanch Mereton led the choir, taught m the Sunday School and helped in all church entertainments. She was a calm, quiet sirl with nothing beautiful about nsr save her earnest eyes and exquisite years ago she had been not unsucessfuiiy wooed by the young lawyer over the way: that an estrangement had come between thena--one of those senseless cause is lost sight of in the effect. Ru. nor further stated that since those trou- 5led times, Bianch had never been like her old self. That the iovenof her life had gone out in the dark, leaving her the emtionlsss being nobody under-
 It was this rumor that the minister or Deerwood heard and believed. and he felt that he had failed in his duty.
 Time and again he had resolved to offer her the assistance ais calling demanded, only to let each favorable opportunity while he shrank from intrnding upon such delicate ground. Truly. fools rush Tn where angels fear to tread.
 He had compromised with his coi,- struggled through their weary existence, telling himself that he would be litter for the task in the fall But the busy fall had slipped away and he sat in his study with his Christmas sermon before him. fac1ng the bitter accusations of a re- lentiess conscience. Blanch Mereton's quiet, white face rose before him like q penaoscn sas was n unhapPy I and he her comfort aud consolation. had not made one effort to allay her suffering. He plunged his face in his hands. goaded by soul may know. TO speak to her at the risk of hurting her or to let the glad Christmas tide pass and leave her.
 He started up with a strong mans inn eye fell on the close written sheets and he stopped, staring down fat them me- chemically. Gradually. as he stared, the troubled lines left his brow and his men" [
 He caught up. the written sheets and tore them into bits. keeper opened the door, she found her young master writing eagerly. and her summons to tea was received with an absent shake of the head.
 night His sermon finished, he snatched up his hat and ran out whistling like q boy. He saw his way clear toward mak-
 Strange that he had not thought of it before. ".Ti1e best way to right wrong Is to undo It." How fortunate that the choir's tenor should have a. cold.
 The tenor. perhaps. would have re- 1a nj A6 ta Rf tuh& stf traft, iAter,s countenance was gravely sym pathetic and the sick man was touched by the trefnor In his pastors voice. He little suspected that 1t arose from sup pressed anxiety lest he should be re- covering too rapidly.
 T won't be able to manage the carols |" he said reluctantly. and the sympathetic pastor hugged himself with glee as soon as the door closed behind him.
 'Over the way to the lawyers was q matter of a mile or more. but to this the minister gave not thought-evcn though he had had no tea.
 "Will you sing tenor?' he asked as he took possession of the rug before the lawyers yE taas study 5. fire
 "Yes. in the carols, you know. have be able biz, so manage them"
 "He has cold
 The lawyer thought a moment and
 
 Better get somebody else. I'm out of practice.
 Tie minister smiled his quick, happy smile. r-r
 "There are three days yet and we Drac. tice every afternoon"
 Sorry. but I haven time" See here. old man, you'll have to-. There Is not another tenor to be had. It will spoil our carols"
 The lawyer hesitated, frownlng at the fire.
 Look here, Leland. you are man of sense and honor. You have heard those confounded furnors." "Oh.' responded the minister cheer fully; T would not mind that. Beside l will explain to the lady"
 Lady Rumor?"
 Yes; and that other one" Well, suppose you do touch her on the subject. IT 1t will not cause her embarrassment I can accommodate you on that little matter of the carols easily enough But, you understand that before I would risk annoying her your carols might go to the demnition bowwows." The minister laughed with nervous joy ousness. "rll drop you a line tomorrow" he said as he went out resolved to sec | Saturdays story, BILLY"