The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1905-04-06
By Grace Terry


True, very true. parson; have the
highest respect for Sister Pease. But
/, but the headings sof Providence don't
seem to be in that direction, either"
The good parson looked puzzled, but,
honestly desirous Of assisting his WIS.,
itor. he e'made another effort.
Brother Jones has number of
daughters, and either of the two eldest
would be-
Yes, yes. parson,"' interrupted the
deacon, rather impatiently, Il know
that very we'll. But think that-that.
for the sake of David, I had better
marry some one younger and more
lively. and who would consequently
be more of a-sort of companion for
him"
A sudden light broke in upon Parson
Dunlow's mind.
Perhaps you have some one already
in view, Brother Quimby?"
"Well, yes, parson, l have sought
Divine light, and the leadings Of Provi-
dence seem to be in the direction Of
your family: in short, toward your
daughter, Miss Emma, whose staid
and discreet behavior, 1 am happy to
say, would do honor to more mature
years.
1t was not the first time, in Parson
Dunlow's pastoral experience. that he
had known people to mistake the lead
ing of their own hearts for 1.-THE lead
ings of Providence" but if he had any
suspicion that this might be the case
with the worthy deacon. he prudently
kept it to himself. So, without evinc-
ing anything of the dismay and con-
sternation at his heart, he said:
Il cannot fail to realize, Brother
Quimby, the high compliment of sucl
a desire. But you remember the words
of Rebekah's parents under like cir
cumstances: We will call the damsel
and inquire at her mouth I don't
know that we can do better than fol-
low their example.
Willie" he added. going to the win
dow. run and tell Emma that father
wants to see her in his study
"Shes dot company" said the little
fellow; land is doing 20 dive me new
ball if I'll stay out in the yard"
NO matter" said his father. smiling;
"you shall not lose the new ball. So
run along
Miss Emma. though very pleasantly
engaged, dutifully obeyed her fathers
summons. She blushed as her eyes fell
upon the deacon. to whom she dropped
pretty. deferential courtesy.
"My daughter" said the parson.
gravely, Deacon Quimby informs me
that. for the sake Of David. he has con-
cluded to take to himself another wife,
and that his choice has fallen upon you.
l have ever left such matters to you,
but YOU cannot fail to realize the value
of such an offer. and I trust you will
give it the consideration it demands" ="
Emma opened her brown eyes widely
at this announcement, and then the
long lashes fell over them, and lay
quivering upon the rosy cheeks. But,
unexpected as was the position in
which she found herself placed, her
woman's wit did not desert her.
Il should be very happy to become
Deacon Quimby' wife, papa" she said,
demurely, "if 1 had not already prom.
ised, for the sake Of David, to do my
best to be daughter to him."
Deacon Quimby was so accustomed
to consider his son as mere boy that
it was some minutes before his mind
took in the sense of these words.
do you mean to say, Miss Emma
he said, at last, regarding the blushing
girl with a bewildered air. chat you
are going to marry my son:'
with your permission, sir" respond
ed Emma, with a smile and glance
that would have softened far harder
heart than the deacon's. Il have al
Ready obtained that Of my father"
Dea con Quimby turned his eyes upon
I Mr.. punlow. who had been a quiet but
interested listener to this.
Why. David is nothing but boy
parson"
He is a year older than you were
when you married, deacon" was the
smiling response.
True; so he was.
II dare say It does not seem poss.
ble,' continued the parson. Il car
hardly bring myself to realize that II
is eighteen years ago since my little
girl. here, was laid in my arms; Du'
so it is"
As the good deacon looked at the
blooming maiden, and remembered how
often he had held her, smiling babe
in his arms, the conviction was sud
denly forced upon him that that he hat
been making IN old fool of himself.
The rather embarrassing silence tha
followed was pleasantly broken b!
Davids CHEEKY voice and pleasan
hsmile.
"You seem to have quite a famil!
party" hNSaid, pushing open the door
so thj is where you spend you
evenings hung man," said his father
shaking finger at him, with an al
Of mosx spleasure. "Ah, I see yer!
plainl 4 tt 1 shall never be able t
keep Iout home, unless 1 can per
suade ss Emma to come and liv
with me. ghat say you, my DEAR"
"That 1 Will come very willingly,
returned tha asmiling and blushing CIR
"for the sake of David."-New Yorl