Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-12-04

ing to strangely tender brightness.
DO 1 breathe a.. exist still?
tell you. Violet, my heart Is like the
century plant which only blossoms
once-and Its blossoming is in the sun
shine of your love alone"
She was silent-lovelier than ever,
Clarence thought, in the momentary
indecision, the shy hesitation Of her
manner, as she stood under the old
trees, a gold-tinted leaf drifting down
here and there around her, and her
tremulous hands clasped to hide their
fiutter as far as might be.
Violet, darling! tell me that you
love me-"
81 love you, Clarence"
There is a Garden of Eden created
anew for every happy pair Of lovers
and Clarence and Violet stood In
Paradise now!
But, Clarence" resumed Violet,
when the first all-absorbed words and
glances Of their new happiness had
been exchanged, 81 don't comprehend
this at all. How did you come here?
and how did you know where to find
me?"
II did not know where to find you,
Violet. Chance has been my friend
here, and as for my opportune appear
ance on the scene, it Is very easily ac-
| counted for. l have been called to
take charge or the parish OF Miliham-
bury"
Clarence, you are not the new min
ister?
But I am the new minister"
His name is John Smith"
81 beg your pardon, mia amima-
1t is John Clarence Smith"
| And Violet's surprise was sufficient
ly amusing to the reverend gentleman
at her side.
Old Mrs. Bezabel Marsh and her
two elderly, hard-favored daughters,
had got the parsonage all ready, even
to lighting the evening lamps on the
study-table, and poking the clear an
thracite fire that burned In the dining
room CRATE.
Miss Mehetable had turned the
tumbler of crimson currant jelly into
its cut-glass dish, and disposed the
green sprigs Of parsley to the most
striking effect round the thinly-cut
slices Of boiled tongue, while Miss
Sarah made Leaning Tower of Pisa
of the buttermilk biscuits, and whisk-
ed the flies away from the sugar-basin,
in readiness for the expected guest,
and like the hero Of song, "still he
came not!'
1.-THE kittle's boilin', and the tea's
all stepped" said Mrs. Marsh, as she
sat in the big rocking chair in front
of the fire. It'll be spilled II he don't
come pretty soon."
Hell be here presently now" said
Miss Mehetable, loosening her curls
from their combining papers. "Oh, ma
wonder If he'll be pleased with what
we've done!
He can't help It," said Mrs. Marsh
mentally congratulating herself on her
double chances Of being the ministers
mother-in-law. But the words were
yet on her lips and the triumphant re
Elections yet in her mind, when 9
knock came softly to the door. ant
Miriam Blake entered, rosy with he,
long walk through the frosty autumn
twilight.
Have you heard the news?" asked
Miriam. II thought I'd come over ant
tell you. The new minister has come.
"Sakes alive!' calculated Mrs
Marsh.
II don't b'lieve it." said Mehetable
"Oh, but he has for I've seen him
And you needn't stay here any longer
for he has concluded to remain at ou
house tonight"
Mrs. Marsh and her daughters botl
stared.
What an airth does It all mean?
demanded the elder lady.
, I'll tell you a very, very great SO
cret," cried the delighted Miriam
Hes an old beau OF Aunt Violet's
= and the engagement has been renewed
, and my dear little blue.eyed aunt
to be the minister's wife the very mex
. month that ever dawn upon usr'
Land O. Goshenw cried Mrs. Marsh
well neverw said Miss Sarah.
81 shouldn't think" venomously CON
. mented Miss Mehetable, that he
D want to marry an old maid"
, There are more old maids than on
in the world" observed Miriam. phi
osophcally. 80 If you'll kindly loo
up the room, I'll take the key bac
to my new unclethat-ls-to-be. | ha
thought of setting my cap at the ne,
), minister myself, but cheerfully yiel
5, the palm to Aunt Violet"