The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-09-16
THE M1NlGT1E1R EWIRQM6lEE.G

The choir of young boys had fin
ished the joyous glory chant and
the fashiOnables of the church of
the Twelve Apostles settled back
to the crinkling sound of silks and
| fine linen. The clean cut young
minister arose, and sweeping the
congregation with his fine gray
| eyes, he began the reading of his
text.
Whose findeth a wife findeth a
good thing, and Obtaineth favor of
| the Lord"
A little ripple of pleased surprise
went through the well dressed
throng, for the Rev. Frederick De-
land was yet an esthetic young
thing, with the distorted degree
ALPHABET of the university clinging
fresh ii his name and his sad gray
eyes seeking only the pearls that
lay in his leather bound Book of
Books.
IICl pl lNc 10 ldl dbofc luDICo.
1.-The heart of her husband doth
safely trust in her."
The young minister's eyes had
found a blood red rose bobbing
merrily about on circular hat Of
imposing dimensions. Beneath was
the dainty head of Florinda Hamil-
| ton, the vivacious milliner of Belle
Vile, and the blueness of her eyes
was thing for poets chanting.
"'She maketh fine linen and sell
eth it." the minister had said;
then he faltered, reddening, as he
found the maid Florinda's solemn
blue eyes.
land delivereth Merry Widow
hats unto the merchant" he fin
ished absently.
The congregation gave a well
bred gasp of horror and the more
frivolous giggled.
Il beg your pardon, my congre-
CATION" faltered the minister.
there has been something on my
mind of late" And at this the
frivolous ones-their own god Mo-
mus overtake them-smiled again.
The minister resumed. "She max
eth herself coverings of tapestry"
He was looking, very fondly, very
| tenderly. at the red rose maid.
Her clothing is silk and purple,
with a big, nodding red rose in the
top of her dear hat
A nalf of the flock laughed out
right in puzzled amusement, while
the other half sat stolid or DUBBED
in angry protest. Deacon Abner
Henderson arose, shaking blunt
forefinger.
L demand that this burlesquing
of the word cease. l have not seen
it's like in so years"
The minister stood purple
veined, hands clenched all trem
bling.
"My people," he pleaded, "you
must overlook and forgive. My
| thoughts are not upon my maker.
Favor is deceitful and beauty
is vain" He was chanting mo-
notonously now.
but Florinda Hamilton feareth
the Lord, she shall be praised"
The red rose bobbed now truly
for F]orinda Hamilton, the milliner
arose for departure. The congrega
ton broke into babbling and dis
cord, and Deacon Henderson ragged
III shrillest treble. But the young
minister Gained his flock once
more by the raising of his soft
white hands. He was a man OF
simple magnetism and they quieted
for his words of explanation.
"Florinda Hamilton" said the
minister, will you wed with me?'
The lady of red roses did not
answer. Her eyes were upon the
floor and she trembled exceedingly
He came down and stood directly
before the red rose lady-pleading
arms outstretched. while all the
congregation stared at him. awe
struck, desiring that he might win
win you marry me, Florinda
Hamilton" repeated the minister
The red rose lady took her eyes
from the floor. Rising from her
seat, she pushed her way from the