The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-22

ceive. But I had heard so much OF
her and the people so evidently had
set their minds on It, tell you I was
in a regular funk over it. 1t drove me
to put my tinnid hopes to the test for
you, sweetheart"
There was a peculiar smile hoyering
around Mrs. Morris lips and fo-
minute or two she said nothing
What Is it, dear?" asked the minis
ter anxiously. You are not vexed. are
your"
"N-no." hesitatingly. mot exactly.
but am just thinking how beautifully
you have played into your congrega-
tons hands, tor. do you know Calvin,
you have really and truly married that
oomineering person. Miss Nell"
Married Miss NellI' repeated the
minister blankly, staring at his wife's
flushed, laughing face.
Yes, truly. I am Helen Gilbert At
water, called Miss Nell at the old home
in Littleton. Listen, dear. 1 had no
thought Of deceiving you, at first. did
not know you were in the church at
Littleton till he reached New York on
our voyage home. You know We Were
pretty well acquainted then, bu. l.
neither OF us knew our own hearts. I
often intended to tell you in a letter.
but somehow 1 couldn't I felt that II
You were poor, comparatively, had all
that money and property And, and, I
loved you, dear. too much then to have
The minister had both her hands now
IN his clasp and his arm was round
Miss Nell.'
Then at the. end you took me by
storm 1 have been too happy to talk
of anything like that and I had been
waiting till you would say something
Of your work, to tell you all about MY
But my dear why Atwater? It was
always Miss Nell Gilbert" the minister
was still bewildered
Yes, my aunt did not like my faith
rled, and never mentioned his name.
L was always called Gilbert at home,
but Of course. I had no reason for dis
carQ1ng my name. There are plenty Of
people in Littleton who knew my real
name, but never used it, for / was hut
a Daby when l went to live with my
aunt after my fathers death. Really.
DER, you needn't be alarmed. am not
half as bad as was painted. / won't
try TO run the church or manage the
organist, or, or -"
'Or any one except the minister" fin
lshed her husband. We'll the surprise
is certainly on me, but I must get even
with those people some way"
The news of the minister's marriage
spread Hike wildhre through the town.
He had sent a laconic message to one
OF his church officers to the effect that
he had been married in Boston and
would occupy his pulpit the following
Sunday. That was all. Married, after
all, and none Of his congregation knew
word about it. Who was she2 No
body knew. Conjecture was rife on
every point and one version after an
other of the story of his wedding found
quick credence. Some of the older
members of his flock were thunder
struck To think that Mr.. Morris
should trick them like that and be
engaged all the time. They had Just
set their hearts on his marrying Miss
Nell, whom everybody knew and loved.
They were accustomed to Miss Nell and
her ways. But a stranger, to steal
their beloved minister
All week long the tongues wagged
necessarily over the minister and his
bride, but at Saturday midnight no one
had seen either of them. The church
was packed Sunday morning. The
bells had ceased ringing and only a few
late corners saw the Gilbert carriage
drive up to the door and the minister
and a lady alight from it.
Straight up the middle aisle he led
her, sweet and demure looking, while
the organ played softly and the silence
of the church could be felt. AT the
Gilbert pew he left her, and the con-
gregation had a good view of the sweet
face framed in the masses of soft
brown hair. Mrs. Thorpe almost
jumped out of her seat. 1t was none
other than Miss Nell" Glance follow
ed glance all over the church. The
minister certainly had surprised his
congregat ion.-( Copyright 1906, by p.
c. Eastment.)
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