Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-01-30
TAe MINISTER'S
SURPRISE
-. BY.
Katherine young Tboysfer
copyright. leOs. BY u. c. Easlment .

The Rev. Calvin Morris was quite an
noyed
He was in anything but a ministerial
mood when he tossed his hat on the
table amid the confusion of books and
papers and sat down in his study TO
think it over. II was such a ridiculous
situation that at first he had been mild
~ amused at it. but now-pshaw. Why
couldn't he ignore it,
But it had passed the stage when
it could be ignored In the past three
days he had been told five times that
his congregation would like very much
TO see him married. Nor had these re
marks been the half jocular words on
his bachelor condition that he had Of
ten heard since coming 10 the church
mt Littleton. but had been earnest
words of advice expressed by the most
prominent members Of his flock.
He was popular in the parish. ana
his two years passionate had been pro
ductve OF good results, but there had
been one thing lacking
Accustomed for years before his adj
vent 10 the service Of a most devoted
minister and his able wife whose bone
had been the center for a vigorous
church life the people simply could
not get used TO minister IN a board
ing house Besides. there stood the
fine new parsonage empty Certainly
il was his duty To five up TO the de-
mands OF his people. When Miss Gil
bert. the wealthy maiden lady who had
contributed so much 10 the church.
both in money and good deeds. died
two years ago the parsonage she was
building for the church was not quite
finished.
The Rev Calvin Morris knew he
would use il in time. Indeed all I'M
known to his people. vague plans had
been floating through the ministers
head for some months. and he had fire.
quently looked very rehectively at the
quiet house beside the church.
But the real veXing. disquieting
point of the whole matter was that the
congregation had not only decided that
he should marry. but apparently had
fixed on whom he should marry This
was assured the night he took tea with
Mrs. Thorpe. one of the most active
ladies in his church, when the chief
topic of conversation was Miss Nell
Gilbert
Now, Mr.. Morris had taken Il most
unreasonable and unministerial dislike
TO Miss Gilbert. member of his
church whom he had never seen. She
was the niece OF the great Miss Gil
bert and had lived with her aunt until
the latter's death. when the great
house on the hill had been closed.
Since then the young lady had travel
ed. so the minister had never seen her.
He had heard a great deal of her.
though, and had formed an impression
OF a person of undoubted energy and
ability. accustomed TO have things just
as she wanted and inclined 10 be dom
ineerng Miss Nell" had ideas of her
own on church music. Miss Nell had
designed this and had attended to that.
1t seemed 10 the minister there was a
little too much Of Miss Ncll'' every
whore.
Tall and muscular and aggressive
himself. accustomed 10 shOuldering
burdens and clearing difficulties. the
Rev Calvin had. of course. an ideal OF
feminine grace very different from his
own vigorous personality. Indeed. rs
he sat thinking in his study that morn
ing smile rose u the firm lips and
softened the austere lines into which
he had framed them as he saw in his
minds eye petite. graceful form.
soft. appealing dark eyes ana MASSES
Of cloudy brown hair. Alas for the
plans Of the people who had made up
their minds that Miss Nell" and the
minister would be an cmlnently well
fitted pair.
But the vision faded quickly. and
the many hints that had been dropped
during the last few days flashed in
rapid succession through his mind.
Miss Nel' was coming home next
week. He would be thrown at her
head and she at his by his well mean
ing flock until something happened.
Oh. he well knew how it would be
done. The opportunities congrega-
ton possesses for annoying its minis
ter and making him do things he does
not want TO do are legion. He suppos-
cd every lady OF the aid society had
planned some function 10 which he
must go and meet Miss Nell" The
minister groaned. Already the sub
ject had assumed alarming proper
tions. He could not be would not.
stay round and be made football of.
TO be tossed into any woman's arms.
Again came unbidden that alluring
vision of brown hair and eloquent
eyes. IL was preposterous How could
they badger him now. just as his heart
was beating more madly every day
for some one; All. If he were only
sure. Did that friendship. formed n
few short months ago. that soul salts.
flying friendship. mean to the girl of
the vision what II had come TO mean