Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-08-07
The MINISTER'S
SURPRISE
by.
Katherine young Tbo-xfer
Copyright. 1905. by p. c. Eastment
Copyright. 1906. by p. c. Eastment


noyed.
He was In anything but 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 IL over. II was such ridiculous
situation that at first he had been mild
ly amused at 1t. but now-pshaw! Why
couldn't he ignore IL?
But IL had passed the stage when
II 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 TO the church
at Llttleton, but had been earnest
words OF advice expressed by the most
prominent members of his flock.
He was popular in the parish. and
his two years pastorate had been pro-
ductive of good results. but there had
been one thing lacking.
Accustomed for years before his id
vent to the service of most devoted
minister and his able wife whose home
had been the center for a vigorous
church life. the people simply could
not get. used to minister In a board
Ing house. Resides, there stood the
fine new parsonage empty. Certainly
Ii was his duty to live up to the de-
mands OF his people. When Miss Gil
bert. the wealthy maiden lady who had
contributed so much TO 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 ii in time. Indeed all I'M
known 10 his people, vague plans bad
been floating through the minister's
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 a most
unreasonable and unministeral 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 n 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 to be dom
ineerlng Miss Nell' had ideas of her
own on church music. "Miss NeIl' had
designed this and had attended to that
1t seemed to the minister there was a
little too much of Miss Nell' every
where.
Tall and muscular and aggressive
himself, accustomed to shouldering
burdens and clearing difficulties. the
Rev. Calvin had. OF course an ideal of
feminine grace very different from his
own vigorous personality Indeed, as
he sat thinking In his study that morn
ing smile rose To the firm lips and
sOftened the austere lines into which
he had framed them as he saw In his
minds eye a petite. graceful form.
soft. appealing dark eyes and 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 eminently 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 Nell 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 IL would he
done The opportunities a congrega-
son possesses for annoying its minis
ter and making him do things he does
not want to do are legion. He suppos-
ed every lady Of the aid society had
planned some function to which he
must go and meet Miss Nell" The
minister groaned. Already the sub
ject had assumed alarming proper
lions. He could not. he would not.
stay round and he made n football OF,
TO be tossed into any woman's arms.
Again came unbldden that aluring
vision of brown hair and eloquent
eyes. II was preposterous. How could
they badger him now. just as his heart
was beating more madly every day
for some one? All. IL he were only
sure Did that friendship formed a
few short months ago. that soul salts
flying friendship mean to the girl OF
the vision what il had come TO mean
to him? Could he. dare he. ofer her
his love? He had been living since
then in a bSIutiful dream. Suppose
that dream should be fulflledg
He hestated Dreaming had been
so sweet he feared the awakening.
Dare he risk "the last leafy' With a
bound he sprang to his feet. He could
and he would. He would please him
self in the choice of a wife anyway.
and. II fortune favored him. give his
officious congregation a surprise and a
sharp lesson.
A short phone message TO a neigh
boring town secured supply for next
Sundays pulpit. Urgent business ont
Of town" was the message left for the