The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1907-10-19
A MISSING
MINISTER
by ELLA RoDMAN CHURCH


suddenly ulstuiDeu ID. louu iopPiHN
at the door. On opening she found
young Nelson Chardiegh there in a
most excited frame Of mind Nelson
was to be married to pretty Florence
Eberton the next afternoon Ia an
swer to a question as TO the cause
OF his visit he said.
q am really troubed-and that Is
why / am here. You were always a
kind friend Of mine. and. perhaps you
can advise me what to do His rever-
ence. as you perceive is not forthcom-
ing / went to the station before the
morning train was due, and waited pa
tienHy until all the living freight had
disembarked; but no Mr. Rubbleton.
You know he said, on going away, mat
he would probably take the morning
train; II not, he would be sure to come
at evening but he would feel safer TO
come in the morning Now. when You
reflect that there IS only one more
train In which he could possibly come,
I'm order to perform the ceremony
and that something may occur TO-
cause him to miss the train-you must
admit that circumstances look rather
disconraging.
The poor fellow was evidently In
state Of great nervous excitement, as
well he might be, for If Samuel gave
him the slip at the last moment Gas
thought he was quite likely to do),
would he not be set down as "a lag
gard In love" like the miserable rival
of young Lochnvar?"
Miss Margie. what is to be done?
1t Will scarcely be safe to hang our
last hope upon the evening train; and
quest Of some one else Suppose
that Mr. Rubbleton should have
At? Or $4,000 other things
that might happen? Just put
yourself in my place, Miss Margie. and
fancy how You would feel under the
circumstances OF course, you
couldn't, though. very we'll; but I'll
tell you how feel-like going out to
engage some one to oflciate to-mor-
row, in case Mr.. Rubbetou don't APP
pear"
But would any Of the clergy be will
ing to make such an arrangement"
said I. smiling at the idea.
1--WE can drum them up and try
was the eager response.
"There is Dr. Poacher," said l. re-
fiectingly; he is the nearest-we
might 20 to him first"
"That stiH-looking old gentleman,
who is so absentminded?' was the
irreverent reply. 4 am afraid he
would read the burial service over
us by mistake"
Wei" said l, not able to contra
dict this statement suppose we try
DIR. Kem?"
Hell do nicely. I've no doubt; but
let us start speedily Miss Margie. for
October afternoons have wings, You
know
I heaved a quiet sigh as | glanced
et my sewing; but it seemed to be my
fate always to have some helpless
man on my hands, who required all
my time and energies.
In answer to our ring a smiling
servant informed us that Mr. Klein
was out to tea at the time.
| verify believe that Nelson would
have had the reverend gentleman
dragged from the tea-table. without
the slightest compunction. had I not
interposed and informed our smiling
friend with as severe a look as |
could muster, that we would not
trouble him farther. We left him
standing on the broad steps, and gaz-
ing after us with a wondering smile
stereoyped on his face.
Didn't that gentleman strike you
as a little peculiar?' asked the un-
suspecting Nelson
He was evidently a stranger to the
conviction that had suddenly flashed
through my mind. and amused me
nightly
where shall we gog" Nelson
asked in dismay
II scarcely dare mention Dr. Poach
er again. said l.
Let us try himi" he exclaimed
A walk Of about a mile farther
brought us to a nice. old-fashioned
place where DR. Poacher spent much
of his time in secluded study We
were almost sure of finding him. and
raised the brass knoclzer quite con.
fidently
A very honest looking lrishwoman,
who was afflicted with a chronic grim
soon made her appearance. and gazed
upon us with tender interest Il was
some little time before We learned
that Mr.. Poacher was not just at home
now"
How soon would he be in?" was
the eager inquiry.
"Mebbe in an hour you can come
back and see"
We exchanged looks. and the Irish
woman assured MS that "she would
hold him at home for us when he
came.
What did possess that woman 20
grin so?" said Nelson. rather angrilv.