Columbia courier. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1902-1905, 1903-11-06


long ago! Violet, you were my first
love-be my last?'
DO you love me still, ClarenceT
she asked, the blue-gray eyes soften
ing to a strangely tender brightness
DO breathe a. exist still7
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-t 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-"
II 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 bsorbed words and
glances Of their new happiness had
been exchanged. II 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 ind you,
Violet. Chance has been my friend
here. and as for my opportune appear
ance on the scene, 1t is very easily &C.
counted for. l have been called to
take charge Of the parish Of Millham-
bury"
Clarence, you are not the new min
ister!"
But I am the new minister"
Ellis name is John Smith"
II beg your pardon. mia amima-
It Il 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-cu
slices of boiled tongue, while Miss
Sarah made Leaning Tower Of Pisa
Of the buttermilk biscuits, and whisk-
ed the files away from the sugar-b basin,
in readiness for the expected guest,
and like the hero Of song, "still he
came not"
1.-THE kittle's boilin', and the Stea's
all steeped." said Mrs. Marsh. as she
sat In the big rocking-ch In front
Of the IRE. 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 II he'll be pleased with what
we've done!'
he can't help It," said Mrs. Marsh.
mentally consratulating herself on her
double chances Of being the minister's
mother-in-law. But the words were
yet on her lips and the triumphant re-
Elections yet in her mind, when 4
knock came softly to the door, and
Miriam Blake entered, rosy with her
long walk through the frosty autumn
twilight
Have you heard the newsT asked
Miriam. II thought I'd come over and
tell you. The new minister has come"
'Sakes alive.' calculated Mrs.
Marsh.
"I 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 our
house tonight"
Mrs. Marsh and her daughters both
stared.
what an airth does it all mean ?"
demanded the elder lady.
I'll tell you very, very great Sc
cret," cried the delighted Miriam.
Hes an old beau of Aunt violets,
and the engagement has been renewed,
and my dear little blue-eyed aunt is
to be the minister's wife the very next
month that ever dawn upon us"
Land O. Goshen" cried Mrs. Marsh.
"Well l never" said Miss Sarah.
I'll shouldn't think, venomously COM
mented Miss Mehetable, that he'd
want to marry an old maid"
There are more old maids than one
In the world" observed Miriam, phil
osophically. so If you'll kindly lock
up the room, I'll take the key back
to my new uncle that-is-to-be. l had
h..tt ~l,&