The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-10-24
A MISSING
MINISTER



az the door. On opening she found
young Nelson Chardieigh there IN q
most excited frame Of mind. Nelson
was 70 b married to pretty Florence
Ebsrton the next afternoon. In an
sWer to n question ~ to the cause
Of his visit he said:
L an really tronbled-and that is
why I am here. You were always a
kind friend OF mine, and, perhaps you
can advise me what TO DO. Ills rever-
ence. ~ you perceive. Il not forthconl-
Ing I went to the station before the
morning train was due, and waited pa
uently until all the living freight had
diseDbarked; but no Mt. Rnbblet0n.
You know he said. on going away. that
he would probably take the morning
train: n not, ne would be sure to come
AZ syening-but he would feel safer 10
come In the morning. Now. when you
reflect that there e only one more
train in which he could possibly come,
In order 20 perform the ceremony
and that something may occur to
cause him 70 miss the traln-you must
admit that circumstances look rather
dlseOursging."
The poor fellow was evidently In a
state Of great excitement as
wen he might be; for n Samuel gave
him the slip at the last moment (as /
thought he was quite likely TO dol,
would he not be set down as "a lag
gard In love-" Ike the miserable rival
Of young LOchinvarg"
Miss MarEie, what is to be doneg
Il viii scarcely be safe 70 hang our
last hope upon the evening train; and
quest Of some one else. Suppose
that Mr.. Rubbleton should have
q at? Or $1,000 other things
that might hRppen7 Just put
yourself in my place. Mss Margie. and
fancy how you would feel under the
circumstances! OF course, you
couldn't. though. very well; but I'll
tell you how / feel-Iike going out to
engage some one to ofnciate to-mor-
row, In case Mr.. Rubbleton don't ap-
pear"
but would any OF the clergy be will
ing to make such an arrangement
said !. smiling at the idea.
1--WE can drum them up and try"
was the eager response.
There is Or. Poacher," said /. re-
~neetngiy; he is the nearest-we
might go to him first"
THAT sdR-looking old gentleman.
who Is so absentmindod7T was the
%irreverent reply. Il am afraid he
would read the burial service over
rs by mistake"
We'll" said l. not able to contra.
diet this statement suppose we try
Or. Kemg"
Hell do nicely. I've no doubt; but
let us start speedily, Miss Margie, for
October afternoons have wings, you
know"
l heayed a quiet sigh as / glanced
at my sewing; but Il seemed to be my
fate always TO have some helpless
man on my hands, who required all
my time and energies.
In answer 70 u ring a smiling
servant Informed us that Mr.. Klein
was out 70 tea at the time.
I verify believe that Nelson would
have had the reverend gentleman
dragged from the tea-tAble. without
the slightest conjunction. had I moi
inteFposed 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 gar
ing after as with a wondering smile
stereotyped on his face.
Didn't that gentleman strike you
az a little peeuilarf" asked the an
s~uspecting Nelson.
He wa evidently a stranger to the
conviction that had suddenly flashed
through my mind. and amused me
nightly.
Where shall we sog" Nelson
asked Ia dlsmay.
Il scarcely dare mention Dr.. Poaeh
err again" said l.
let us try HIM" he exclaimed.
A walk OF about a mile farthsl
brought us 10 a nice. old fashionet
place where DR.. Poaeher spent much
Of his time In secluded study. We
we're almost sure Of finding him, and
raised the brass knockeF quite con
ndently.
A very honest looking IrlahwOman
Who wal afflicted with a chronic grin
SOon made her appearance, and gaEet
upon US with tender interest It wal
some little time before We Learned
that MF. Poacher was not Just Al hons
now"
How o o would he be inY' wal
the eager inquiry.
"Msbbe in an hour; you can com'
back and see"
We exchanged looks and the Irish
woman assured us that she woull
hold him at home for AS when hl
came.
what AID possess that woman q
-. a.qff anTa Nafan1 anfEar nws~fIw