The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-10-07
"A Wife for the Pastor.
By CHAPLIN HOWARD.
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.ieces of o marriageable age, admitted
him (confidentially) that they sigh
d whenever they thought of the lone
mess of his ,.fe in that great par
onage One or two even playfully re-
nonstrated with him-there were so
many sweet, sensible girls in his con-
5regation who were in every way fitted
be ministers wives.
The Rev. Gilbert Bancroft was at
irst puzzled, then disconnected, and
lnally genuinely annoyed at this So
licitude shown on his behalf. He
found it humiliating to admit that the
interest and enthusiasm which he hon
estly believed he had succeeded in
arousing in the building of the new
church were, in reality, only the thin
cloak to various sentimental schemes
for inveigling him into matrimony
against his will His young confidence
and belief in his congregation were
severely shaken, and he passed
trough a period of marked depression
and discouragement, which Mrs KIM
bal noticed with an experienced eye
He's beginnin' to find out what they
are a-drivin at" she unused, "an' he's
a tryin not to have any un-Christian
thoughts agin' 'em, poor man. Seems
as if they was afraid they wasn't a-get-
in their moneys worth, hirin' single
man."
At first Mr.. Bancroft had thought
to put an end TO these embarrassing
suggestions by announcing firmly that
he did not intend to marry But he
was baflied and enraged to observe that
this was induleently regarded merely
as the first step in his inevitable sur
render. There was no apparent abate-
ment in the futile schemes to ensnare
him, and he continued to find himself
an unwilling, but outwardly courteous
guest, at tea-tables graced b" the pres
ence of some demure and blushing vii
lage maiden whose virtues and accom-
plishments were sue to be made the
subject OF many covert allusion for
his benefit. The hearts of his parish
toner's were evidently set upon his
marrying, and they could give their
attention to nothing else. The new
church, in the minds of the ladies at
least, was q secondary consideration,
and could very well afford to wait.
The thought Of failing in this, his
| first ambitious undertaking, was in.
tolerable to him, but after six months
of unavailing protest he found him.
self reduced to state OF unholy eX-
asperation, and realizing that his
patience was exhausted, he determined
to seek refuge temporarily in flight.
And so, having secured an old time
friend of his seminary days to occupy
the pulpit during his absence, he ar
ranged with the committee of the
church to be away from Windham for
three weeks.
The departure occasioned consider
able surprise, and number of theories
were advanced to account for it salts
factorily-the most complacent and
widely credited being that he had gone
away to get the ring. No one felt ex-
actly in a position to supply particu-
lars, but feeling of pleased expect
ancy spread through the village There
were so many vacant third fingers up
on which that ring might fittingly be
| placed Gossip and speculation in
creased as the time for his return drew
near. A sensation was confidently ex-
| pected, and it came.
The unguessed truth burst with the
paralyzing suddenness of bomb
among the startled congregation. The
Rev. Gilbert Bancroft had been mar
ried quietly, and was bringing home
his bride!
The news was received with mingled
feelings of incredulity and dismay.
Mrs. Kimbal was appealed to on all
sides for confirmation. Scant satis-
faction, however, was to be obtained
from her. She would neither affirm
nor deny.
Anyway, it's just what you've all
been a-hopin' an a-prayin' for, amt
it?" she demanded.
81 wouldn't pe so upset about it,
though, if l were you. 1t don't look
just orthcdex-bein' SO surprised to
find your prayers been answered"
Mrs Saxton voiced the general opin-
ion of the flock when she replied that
if a minister made up his mind to
marry "it seemed hardly necessary for
him t) go outside his own congrega-
tion."
1T wasn't necessary" Mrs. Kimbal
admitted Land, no! But why do
you s'pose | sent to the city when
got my new alpaca three years ago
stead of buyin 1t here 10 the store?
Because they didn't keep the line OF
goods | was lookin' for. So it amt
surprisin', is it, he should feel the
same?"
A few days later all doubts were set
at rest when, just at dusk, an unfam-
iliar covered carriage, with large
trunk strapped behind clattered up
the village street, and stopped before
the parsonage gate. The Rev Gilbert
Bancroft alighted. and then, turning,
lifted out slender, girlish figure.