The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1907-01-30
WHOLE NO. 1897

But the blissful days of his honey
moon failed to blot out entirely the re
Of his church aud his work
and his people. True in the tumult of
happiness tl,nt had possessed him since
that day when their clamsY interfer-
enec had driven him. actually driven
him, into the JOY that waS now his he
had almost forgotten their plans for
him. hut now II all came back to him
and he realized that he did owe them
something. for who knows how long
he would hayc doubted and feared had
not the terror of Miss Nelli' been
upon him:
suddenly the minister laughed aloud.
1t WAS all - funny to him nov. Mrs.
Morris. sitting beside her husband. was
astonished at Ills mirth and looked it.
well dearest, | know you'll think
me crazy. but It IS really too GOOD to
keep. You didn't know that asked
You to marry me 50 ms To prevent my
congregation marrying me Ia some one
else. did YOU And out came the
whole story. his mental picture OF
Miss Nel' and MI.
You know" he concluded. Il never
for a moment thought of her side of it.
WIS concerned for my own safety.
What in the world Il woman like her,
With money and property aud tie
world ut her feet. would want with
poor struggling minister can't con
ceIc But had heard 50 much of her
and the people 81 evidently had set
their minds on II, tell you l was In n
raular funk over il. 1t drove me 10
put my timd hopes Ia the test for YOU.
sweetheart"
There was a peculiar smile lowering
around Mrs. Morris lips. and for II
minute or Two she said nothing
"What is II, dcar?" asked the minis
ter anXiouslv. You are not vexed. are
youfa
"N no." hesitatngly. mot exactly.
hui | am inst thinking how beautifully
You have played into your congrcsa-
TONS hands. for, do YOU know, Calvin.
You hafe really and truly married that
domincerng person, Miss Nell.
"Marricd Miss Noll.'' repeated the
minister hlankly, staring at his wife's
flushed. laughing face.
"Nes, truly. | am Helen Gilbert At
water. called Miss Nell ut the old home
in Iitileion. Listen. dear. had no
thought of daceiying you Mt first | did
not know You were In the church Mt
Ifttleton till we reached New York on
our VOYAGE home You know we were
pretty we'll acquainted then. hut L
neither Of rs knew our own heart.
often intended 10 tell YOU in n letter.
but somehow | couldnt. | felt that il
you knew it might make difference.
You were poor. comparatively. haa
all HAT money and property. And
aud | loved YOU. dear, too much then
to have You leave me.
..Ihen ut the end you took me by
storm. have been too happy to talk
Of anything like that. and | had been
waiting till You would say something
Of your work 10 tell You all about my
self"
"Rnf. MY dear, why A,watcr? 1t
was always Miss Nell Gilbert The
minister was still bewildered.
Yes. my aunt did not like my father.
the man whom her young sister mar
| rIcd and never mentioned his name.
81 was always called Gilbert At
home. but Of course had no reason
for dlscarding my name. There are
! plenty of people in I.iltleton who know
my real name. but never used II, for ]
was but II baby when ! went to live
with my aunt after my fathers death.
Really, dear, you needn't be alarmed.
am not half as bad tx l was painted.
| wont try 10 run the church or man.
age the organist or-or'-
cor any one except the minister
finished her husband well, the sur
prise il certainly on me, but | must get
even with those people some way"
The news Of the minister's marriage
spread like wilddrc through the town.
He had sent a laconle 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 Thnt WAS nli. Married. after
all. and none of his congregation knew
II word about 1t. Who was shcI No
body knew. Conjecture was rife OH
every point and one version after an
ether of The story of his wedding found
quick crcdcnce. 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
H.. y - #fttss
whom everybody knew and loved.
They were accustomed 10 Miss Nelr'
and her ways. But Il stranger to steal
their beloved minister
Al week long the tongues wasged
| necessarily over the minister and his
bride, but mt Saturday midnight no one
had seen either of them. The church
was packed Sunday morning. The bells
had ceased ringing. and only = few late
Corners saw the Gilbert carriage drive
up Ia The door ana the minister aud
lady alight from it.
Straight MP the middle aisle lie led
| her. sweet and demure looking, while
| tie organ played softly and the silence
Of the church could be felt. a the Gil
| bert pew he left her, and the conSTesa
ton had n sood view OF the sweet face
framed In the masses of soft brown
hair. Mrs. Thorpe almost jumped out
OF her seat. II was none other than
Miss Nell Glance followed glance
all over the church. The minister GER
talnly had surprised his congregation.
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