The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1907-02-04

not very much taken 10y surprise. The
acquaintance begun In Scotland the
previous summer had ripened fast on
shlpboard on the return passage ana
been brought to fruition by some
4 months OF correspondence. She even
consented TO speedy marriage, and
as she was living with a married
cousin in Boston the minister took his
bride from there ten days from the
day he left Llttleton.
But the bllssful days Of his honey
moon failed to blot out entirely the re.
membrance OF his church and his work
and his people. True, in the tumult OF
happiness that had possessed him since
that day when their clumsy interfer.
enee had driven him, actually driven
him. into the joy that was now his he
had almost forgotten their plans for
him, but now 1t all came bacleto him
and he realized that he did owe them
something. for who knows how long
he would have doubted and feared had
not the terror Of Miss Nell'' been
upon him?
Suddenly the minister laughed aloud.
1t was all so funny to him now. Mrs.
Morris. sitting beside her husband. was
astonished at his mirth and looked It.
well dearest, know you'll think
me crazy, but 1t is really too good to
keep. You didn't know that asked
You to marry me SO as to prevent my
congregation marrying me to some one
else. did your And out came the
whole story, his mental picture of
Miss Nell' and all.
"You know" he concluded, II never
for moment thought OF her side Of II.
was concerned for my own safety.
What in the world a woman like her.
with money and property and the
world at her feet would want with
poor struggling minister 1 can't con-
ceive. But had heard 80 much OF her
and the people so evidently had set
their minds on 1t. tell you was In
regular funk over It It drove me to
put my timid hopes TO the test for you,
sweetheart"
There was a peculiar smile lowering
around Mrs. Morris lips, and for
minute or two she said nothing.
what is II, dearT asked the minis
ter anxiously. you are not yexed, are
your"
.N-no.p hesitatingly, mot exactly.
but am just thinking how beautifully
you have played into your congrega-
tons hands, for, do you know, Calvin.
you have really and truly married that
domineerlng person, Miss Nell"
Married Miss Nellp" repeated the
minister blankly, staring at his wife's
flushed, laughing face
Eyes, truly. am Helen Gilbert At
water, called Miss Nell at the old home
in Llttleton. Listen, dear. had no
thought of deceiving you at first. did
not know you were in the church at
Littleton till we reached New York on
our voyage home. You know we were
pretty well acquainted then. but l.
neither of US knew our own heart. 1
often intended TO tell you in letter,
but somehow couldn't. / felt that IL
you knew II might make a difference.
You were poor. comparatively. had
all that money and property. And
and loved you, dear. too much then
to have You leave me-
''Then at the end you took me by
storm. ] have been too happy to talk
of anything like that, and l had been
waiting till you would say something
of your work to tell you all about my
self"
But, my dear. why Atwater1 It
was always Miss Nell Gilbert" The
minister was still bewIldered. 1
Eyes, my aunt did not like my father.
the man whom her young sister mar
ried, and never mentioned his name.
81 was always called Gilbert at
home. but of course had no reason
for discardIng my name. There are
plenty Of people in Llttleton who know
my real name. but never used 1t, for
was but a baby when went to live
with my aunt after my fathers death
Really, dear, you needn't be alarmed
am not half as bad as was painted,
won't try to run the church or man
age the organlst or-or"-
"or any one except the minister"
finished her husband. We'll, the sur
prise is certainly on me, but must get
even with those people some way"
The news Of the minister's marriage
spread like wildfire through the town.
He had sent 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
a word about it. Who was she? 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 NellF'
whom everybody knew and loved.
They were accustomed to Miss NelI-
0V