Willmar tribune., 1905-01-18
CHAPTER XXI.
SUNDAY EVENING.

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Sunday: evening was Sparkling night
when lads and lassies put ON their very
best. the front parlor was given
up 20 Jane or Huldah, their swains
allowed all possible chance to reach
popping point, and the old folks kept
shady. AS rule all the young folks
gathered separately at the church, and
when service was over, each rustic
Romeo hurried to the porch to there
await his hearts desire, and when the
smiling maids like snowbirds willing
to be mated" appeared. faced the mu-
sic with beating heart to receive Joy
supreme or the mitten. Only engaged
couples walked to the sanctuary to-
gether, and to do so was a tacit :ad-
mission of betrothal.
It was this solecism on Martins part
on his first Sunday evening that caused
Angie so much embarrassment. He had
lot repeated it; in flct, so uncertain
was he of his ground with her that he
had avoided Sunday evening church at-
tendance almost entirely afterwards.
BY the time the excitement caused
by David's night scare and almost fatal
illness had subsided, Martin had made
some slight advance in Angles favor.
She had been left alone a good deal,
and he seized his chances. She also
seemed to grow more cerdial. and by
degrees her cool reserve melted away.
When Sunday evening came again.
Martin, recalling Greenvale's social
custom, resolved on bold stroke, and
calling early, invited her 20 join him
churchward. For momeat uhe hes
1tated, knowing full well what would
be thought of it, and then. as an extra
shade Of pink crept into her face, she
consented. When the bell. began to
call. she Joined him on the porch,
dressed in spotless muslin, q solitary
rose her only ornament, and, as Aunt
Comfort would say, ''lookin' sweet
enough to eat" And we'll might Martin
feel proud, for no fairer maid ever
blessed a lovers eyes. For two months
now, though they had met often, no
mention had been made of the past.
He had essayed it at first, but soon saw
1t to be unwise, and yet maybe that
cld-time illusion, like the. sound Of
bells now calling them, had never
ceased to vibrate in their hearts. We
are moved by subtle influences, and
memory is ofttimes awakened by the
veriest trifle. The odor Of a certain
flower, q strain of music, the signing
of the breeze in the pines, even the
croaking Of frog in springtime, will
carry us back over a lifetime in an in.
slant.
Only few years, comparatively, sep
arated the lives of these two-very
short to him, but long and weary to
her. She had much to forgive, but like
many another patient woman who goes
through life silently forgiving an er-
ring husband, so maybe had she now
forgiven a lovers desertion. i.
And very sweet the church ke!ls
sounded to Martin, for now the fairest
AMI dearest Of all earth's womankind
was walking beside him in a journey
that was a tacit confession. 5.
:: There were. speaking glances ex-
changed between matrons and maids
in that Sunday: evening gathering, and
whispered Il told you sos" while the
white-haired parson searched for his
chapter. The congregation. arose and
sang as usual, Angie joining, whilo
Martin covertly watched her, feeling
proud. And when both bowed with
the rest to receive dismissal, and then
walked away In the balmy August
evening, It seemed to him he ought to
enclose her in one strong arm, lest che
escape.
When the lane that crossed the Mi:zy
was reached, Martin halted. Lets 20
down to the old red BRIDGE" he said,
and without word Angie turned with
Elm. E =, :s>,>-s, - ~
It was q secluded as we'll az pretty
spot; a group. of willows shaded one
end Of the bridge and q pile Of worn.
out planks; below, tho stream broul.
ened into q wide pool and beside Il
grew sweet nag. It had been one, ok
their old-time trysting places, OFT VI.
tied to gather flag and watch IL
muon's reflection in the pool ::5
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