Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1909-11-26
It Wasn't
% Amelia

The older Miss Philbin advanced to
Mr.. Tinkleton with outstretched
| hand.
$50 much Obliged to you for COM
ing, Mr.. Tinkleton," she said as they
shook hands.
I'm sure | appreciate the invita-
ton" Mr.. Tinkleton replied. THE
fame of your excellent dinners Isl
may say-widely known"
"You are very good. Mr.. Tinkleton.
Pray be seated"
Mr.. Tinkleton was a serious young
man with light hair and light blue
eyes. He was a slightly diffident
Young man. and suffered a little
when at a loss for words. His white
tie sufficiently indicated his profes-
sion.
81 was a little at a loss-when | re-
ceived your kind note. Miss Philbin-
at a loss to understand the-the ma
ture of the commission you wished me
to undertake" he somewhat slowly re-
marked
81 do not wonder at that. Mr.. Tin
kleton," said the older Miss Philbin-
at is a commission that ! did not
like to commit to paper. But If you
will permit me to explain it in my own
way. think | can make ii clear"
The young pastor bowed formally.
"My time is yours. Miss Philbin."
Thank you so much, Mr.. Tinkle-
ton" She paused and wrinkled her
smooth forehead. you are aware
that | have a sister. and that she is
the younger Of the two"
Mr.. Tinkleton at once made the
proper effort
81 should not have suspected II.
Miss Philbin." he said with a smile
that Immediately faded into gravity.
Miss Philbn's laugh was like a
chime of tiny bells.
That's very nice Of you. Mr.. Tin
kleton." she said. Very nice. But
I'm afraid you are not comfortable
on that haircloth sofa. II is so slip
merry. Persons have even slid from ii
10 the floor. It was my grandmother
Pinkham's and so We retain it In It's
antique form. Take this rocking
chair. sir. You will find it much more
retentive."
The tall pastor removed himself
from the sofa to the rocker and at
once assumed a less uncomfortable
expression.
1T is a fine chair" he said. POS
sibly another heirloom?"
yes" the older Miss Philbin as'
sented. 1T was made by our great
uncle. Cuthbert Jones. lie was a re-
tired sea captain who amused himself
with Joiner work. He was very proud
of the chair and yet the first time he
sat in il he rocked back just a little
too far and turned a complete somer-
sault. and il took no end OF vinegar
end brown paper to reduce the big
bump on his head"
The young pastor suddenly checked
! his rocking and assumed a still more
serious expression.
81 trust your uncle fully recovered
he said.
He did" the lady replied. But
he was very angry FOR 4 time. Sail
ors have hasty temptrs. you know he
was so angry that he kicked the chair
and hurt his foot drcadfully-he was
subject to rheumatic gout. But thi.
isn't a part of my explanation. Ny
! sister Amelia is two years younsei
| th4n | am. And she is engaged-en
| gaged to Mr.. Joel Barnes. You have
| ct Mr. Barnes?'
| Yes" the young pastor replied.
! have met him several times. He ap
| pears to be very estimable gentle
| man."
! "Estimable but slow. very slow. y
| course we are fond of him. very fon'
| of him. You are a newcomer in Auro
ra. Mr.. Tinkleton. and presume yo'
| do not know that my sister Ameii;
and Mr.. Joel Barnes have been en-
! caged for fourteen years"
The young pastor looked properl.
surprised. .
"A long peniOd," he cautiously oh
served.
1T is long period" said the olde
Miss Philbin. Altogether too lone
| And it is delayed entirely by Mr.. Joe
| Barnes's slowness. There is no othe
reason. Mr.. Barnes is ricn man. IL
is a worthy man. His future comfor
is assured. He thinks a great dea
of Amelia, and Amelia reciprocate'
They would be ideally happy. Sha
we stand in the way of this happines:
Mr.. Tinkleton?"
Certainly not" said the youn
pastor with unusual suddenness. An
in momentary forgetfulness OF hi
danger he rocked back to the DANCE
point and stopped himself in the yer
nick of time.
"In short, you and must assis
these dilatory persons, Mr.. Tinkleton
said the elder Miss Philbin. NO
can you guess why | sent for you!
Not to-to marry them?"
That's 1t. exactly, Mr.. Barnes wi
be here presently. He is coming
dinner. He comes to dinner twice
, week. He has been coming to Dime
twice a week for fourteen years. Aftt
dinner he assumes the privilege OF a
old family friend and takes a nap G
the library lounge. II will be impo
. sible to interest him in matrimor
after dinner. We must plan to hay
the ceremony performed before
go 20 the table"
J lie nodded in half helpless wa
"It seems little irregular" he We
tured to protest
mot at ALL" said the elder Nil
Philbin. 81 am sue that Joel has
license. don't know how long
has had 1t. They are never outlawe
are they? Then why is it irregular
But Mr.. Barnes" said the your
pastor, still feebly protesting. "mi
not fagorably regard our efforts to q
sure his happiness.
The elder Miss Philbin smiled rea
!, suringly.
Il /. -.