Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-03-06

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''Why is it that all clergymen will
rat themselves up to look such frights?'
The words were a defiant whisper,
breathed into the ear OF somewhat
1iderly maiden lady, between one Of the
Dauses In Faust" Fantasia, and they
carried to the ears Of tall, thin cler-
Eyman, who Immediately flushed and
booked in an opposite direction
"Hilda !"
The tone was one of reprOof. 1t
came in a good second with the big
drum
Miss Lely and her refractory niece
we're spending a few early summer
weeks at Bournemouth in pursuit Of
peace and pleasure quest made nee
BzsRry by the severe attack Of bron-
EhItis and influenza which had laid the
oder lady low throughout the winter.
The subject of the younger Miss
Lely's unprecedented attack was a
sarious looking parson who had wan
Jared across the open space in front
u the bandstand in search Of vacant
chair. He had a long thin face, wore
An Inverness coat of ancient date, and
carried a small black leather bag. Yet
he was young, and should have taken
Bome interest in his personal appear
Gnce.
'sHe has eyebrows like-like the pause
marks in musjc!" the girl murmured,
naughtily, in defense Of her sweeping
criticism of the "cloth."
The elder Miss Lely breathed a sigh
n the first moroccan for the afternoon
was brought to a conclusion. HE can't
possibly help his eyebrows" she said,
with mild reprOach in her voice. "And,
Hilda, do be more careful! He might
have heard you. DEAR"
"But he didn't; and a miss is as good.
n a mile, you know, aunty!" remarked
Hilda, with a little laugh.
Somehow the younger Miss Lely felt
ahe had a right to a grievance just at
Mis- time. Her family had lately been
bent ON coercing her into marriage with
! clergyman who, according to all ac-
eounts, seemed to have the virtues Of
al the ages rolled into his handsome
person without any Of the vices:
Hilda had seen him. 1t was some
family arrangement" which the fam
gly, exclusive Of Hilda, hoped would
Acome off, some day. The Rev. Ronald
Martyrs father and old Mr.. Lely had
always been the greatest Of friends,
and It seemed only natural to all con-
eerned, except the infants themselves,
that the son of one and the daughter
Of the other should unite the families
Ia an indissOluble band. There were
certain obstacles in the way-princi
pally the fact that the Martyrs emf
grated shortly afterwards to Australia,
while the Lelys stayed In the old coun-
hyg but they were felt to be not In
rrmountable impediments.
Ronald was due in England on a long
visit to some distant relatives, and the
meeting fraught with so much Impor-
tance was to take place Us soon as pos
hble- But ere it took place Hilda lad
been carried of to Bournemouth by her
aunt, possibly as much for her own
good as for the old lady's health.
'Olergymen," said Miss Lely the cid
n, an hour later, as aunt and niece
Wended their way towards their favor
tie teashop in Old Christopher road
Aall clergymen are not alike I presume
That you are allowing your thoughts to
dwell too much on Mr.. Martyn."
ct am not allowing Them" returned
me girl, with a pretty little grimace
They take French leave! Aunt Ellen"
she slipped her arm within the elder
1ady's with a confiding little gesture
SHOULD you have liked to have your
future all mapped out for you when
you were my age?"
Aunt Ellen did not reply, and Hilda
was disappointed.
81 shall not 60 out again." Miss Lely
said, when they reached their lodg-
Rgs. IF you want to go and hear
more OF the band this evening, HIlda.
viii ask Mrs Hunt to let her Mary
lake you!"