The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1907-01-24
He gave a slight start.


"So-er-stupi pid-clergymen?" he
repeated obviously, as if he had not
heard Alright.
Hilda thought him quite dense.
EYES," she explained, merrily. I'm
afraid l dislike clergymen. It's very
wrong of me, know, because
She paused and brilliant flush
suffused her cheeks as she suddenly
became interested in the sea.
"Because?" he repeated, patiently
awaiting her answer.
"Because-oh! I'm supposed to be
going to-oh. l don't quite know
why" she said, incoherently. You
see-well, daresay YOU will laugh at
me-but I've always been brought
up to expect that some day l must
marry a clergyman! 1t is very stupid.
Most probably if dad had wanted me
to marry an actor I should have felt
distinctly rebellious desire for the
cloth But as it is-'
Human nature rebels, eh?' he
suggested, with laugh. And the
balance is in favor of the actoroc'
Il don't know any actor. really
she responded, naively. 80 am
afraid there is no balance.
And it's all dead weight againI
the poor parson," he murmured, tax
ing side glance at her.
Hilda shrugged her shoulders.
Poor" she echoed. do you like
clergymen?"
Il never thought 1 didn't" he said,
slowly. In fact, used TO-"
But you don't?" she began, mer-
rily. -
''No-since knew YOU" he said,
boldly, "I'Ye altered my opinion!"
In such a short time" began
FIilda.
It was fortunate that at that mo-
ment Mrs. Hunt, who had been on the
lookout for them, opened the door,
for Hilda had an uncomfortable feel
ing that things were going too far.
Miss Lely worshiped at st. Peters
and duly carried Hilda off to that
church the following Sunday. The
tall figure of the hero slipped into a
pew just opposite and fixed his blue
eyes nearly all the service through
Just below Hilda's pretty chiffon hat.
The elder Miss Lely prayed for the
speedy return of the prospective
bridegroom, and Hilda decided that
certain tall figures looked equally
we'll in gray tweed or black.
That Sunday was to live long in
the memories of both ladies. The
elder Miss Lely actually sat down and
volunteered to wait for the young
people if they cared to walk little
farther before returning to the house.
Hilda glanced at her companion and
met his gaze with rash courage. Soon
he was speaking fast and passion
ately.
Don't think NE mad-and don't
say am presumptuous. But are you
really engaged to that clergyman you
talked of the other day? Answer
me truthfully, please, because it
makes all the difference in the world
to me-"
He turned his handsome face to-
ward her, and his eyes were lit with
an eager, passionate fire that Hilda
found disconcerting, albeit delight
full.
T. She stopped. They sat
down, while she told him the whole
story. He laughed as he heard it.
"And you intend to marry this man
this clergyman-whether you like
him or no." he asked at the finish.
Hilda looked down toward the sea.
She had completely forgotten the
waiting Aunt Ellen on the esplanade.
II must see him first" she said
simply.
But you have seen him!"
She smiled softly.
Not since I can remember any
thing" she answered. Il couldn't
have the heart to tel, dad 1 refuse
before seeing him"
Suppose he is ugly?"
IF loved him, it wouldn't matter
how ugly he was!" the girl said in
her soft voice.
The hero jumped up suddenly, and
knelt on the gravel path, seizing both
her hands.
. "Hilda, darling" he cried, tri-
umphantly, Il am Ronald Martyr!
Only you didn't know it, of course.
Don't you think you could pass over
the fact that I am stupid clergy
man."
"You aren't ugly" whispered
Hilda, as if that settled Matters