The Savannah morning news., 1904-03-27

ed his near-slghted, nervous way
through page after page OF manu-
script. And possibly. also, three
months before she might not have done
so but the song of the springtime was
singing itself in Marion Schueler's
heart, and the abundance of her happi-
ness overflowed in pity for those less
blessed than herself.
When the service was over John
Tinsdale left the platform and stood
with clasped hands in front of 1t. He
had no need to unclasp them. Not one
person out of that vast congregation
came forward to speak to him. And no
one suspected that the young man was
slowly but surely drinking the dregs
of a very bitter cup.
For year past the thought that his
ministry was failure had haunted
him night and day. And he had made
of this service test. He would preach
in a strange church to a strange peo-
ple. No one would be biased for or
against him. If anyone, even little
child. said afterwards that he had
helped him he would keep on. If not
His eyes grew hard and bright with
bitter certainty as the people moved
slowly out. Then he became sud
denly aware that someone stood be-
sida him.
1t might have gone hard with John
Tirsdala Just then If ten years of love
and allegiance to another woman had
not run like bright thread through
his life, for the girl who had come
forward To speak to him was the very
embodiment of beauty and happiness.
"Mr. Tinsdale," she said eagerly, II
want to thank you so much for what
you said this morning. / really think
you were sent here to save me from
becoming selhshly absorbed in-my
own-joy."'
John Tinsdale took the hand she
held out. though he hardly saw her
face for the mist which had suddenly
risen to is eyes. The quick revulsion
Of feeling left him dizzy for moment.
He was to keep on!
THANK you," he said simply, but
Marion Schueler saw that his lips
trembled as she turned away.
When she ran down the rear stairs
of the church to speak to the janitor
upon the following Sunday. a figure
stood at the foot. which looked sadly
out of place within the fashionable
precincts Of st. Margaret's. At an
other time Marion might have won
dered why women with colorless hair
and eyes always affected neutral tints
in dress. But something beautiful in
the pale face something which un-
willingly told the story of years of
from other thoughts.
Miss Schueler?' The girl in drab
advanced slightly, with her eyes fixed
intently on Marion's face.
The latter bowed, her dark eye
brows raising themselves slightly in
vague surprise
Il came here from Carson Centre
on purpose to see you."
"Indeed2"
Miss schueler smiled, and the other
girl WINGED at the new beauty 1t add
ed to her face.
'He-he has never ceased talking
about you-since last Sunday. she
broke out chokingly.
HE. Who?"
"John-John Tinsdale. Oh. I don't
wonder-now that I've seen you!"
Marion opened the door of the la
dies parlor hastily and drew the other
woman inside Gently she forced her
into a chair. and. drawing another be-
fore &C. took the cold. lifeless hands in
her own.
NOW" she said steadily. tell me
who you are. Not his wife?"
mo. but--we have been engaged for
eight years.
The tears rose quickly In Marion
schuelers ewes.
"Oh. my dearl That Is a long time
20 wait for happiness" she said
breathlessly
Her own engagement might have
been counted by as many weeks. Her
hold upon the small, work-worn hands
tightened.
Indeed. indeed. n Il not as you
think" she said. earnestly. II knew
al the time that my speaking 20 AR.
TinHdale az / did last Sunday meant
more 20 him than / could understand.
But q was what said. not me. that
counted. Why. be looked beyond. not
af me-"
The vet eyes of the giri from Car