Willmar tribune., 1909-06-16
0 speak when the speaker again re.

were one day walking In the meadows
bordering grove on the outskirts Of
our village. They were quietly ex.
amining some Wild Towering shrubs
when this member of my church
spoke OF and this young woman came
from the depths Of the woods toward
the clearing. They were both greatly
agftated. The man came out alone
and made his way toward home. The
girl. after walking about for some
time. left the grove by another way.
My young colleague. know. will not
deny this statement. He saw it with
his own eyes.
"And now, my dear brethren, you
see that have no positive knowledge.
AS said before. because Of the great
love bear this grand old Methodist
church have laid this matter before
you just as l have beard it on my
circuit. II you receive the man into
this conference. you receive the won.
an. AS hs has married during the
years OF his probation you may at
your discretion reject him. Thus,
brethren. leave it in your hands to
deal with him according to your judg-
ment." He sat down amid the pro.
foundest silence.
The vestibule door opened and a be.
lated lay member came In and was
seated.
The president reluctantly rose to bis
feet. Brethren, you have heard what
mas been said concerning the junior
minister from Hillsboro. The matter
is open for discussion"
The belated lay brother was on his
feet. II was sorry not to be in time
to hear the business of the morning
but about our junior minister at Hills.
boro l have something to say. sec
by the first draft of the stationine
committee that our senior minister has
been promoted to another and better
circuit, which l am sure he well de-
serves.
Nov. our young minister is also
popular with us. and We wished to give
him call to come back as our senior
pastor. But he is conscientious
young fellow and forbade US doing
so. He said it didn't seem to be quite
loyal to his senior colleague. But now
since the seniors promotion / feel at
liberty to let you know our wishes"
He took his seat. very obviously well
pleased with what he had said.
my dear BROTHER" inquired the pres
tdent In an even tone Of voice, "are
you aware that your junior minister is
married."
The delegate addressed smiled broad.
ly. mo. SIR he said respectfully, ~
was not aware Of it, although had
heard something to that effect. And
may say that nothing could give me
more pleasure. The young lady is Ger.
tainly worthy to be even a minister's
wife. think her one Of the grandest
Of her sex" Again he sat down. thor
oughly well pleased with himself.
The president. the entire audience.
turned their eyes toward the senior
minister from Hillsboro.
He rose to his feet. The silence was
intense. Brethren, this lay brother is
the leading member In my church of
whom spoke" He sat down. A
profound sigh swept across those In.
tent faces like the passing Of a breath
Of summer wind.
The vestry door shut with an i'm
perative click. A pair Of white can.
vas shoes twinkled across the green
carpeted aisle. Beside the steps lead.
ing to the platform stood a young
| woman In all the sweet. crisp freshness
Of a perfectly Numbered. white sum-
mer gown. She wore a white hat and
gloves to match. TO the masculine
eye she appeared young woman
| superbly dressed. while the feminine
eye would at once have known that it
! was not linen-ft was ':shrunk cotton"
But to all eyes she was good to look
upon.
This sudden vision paused at the
foot of the steps. uncertainty for mo-
ment, then ascended the platform and
faced that ministerial congress.
"lts not true at ALL" she said. turn
ing toward the president HE isn't
married-not ut all. can easily prove
| that, and you can't reject him when he
isn't married. can you? Oh. know
what his calling means to him! nev.
| er intended to ruin bis life. l didn't
| know. You see. I'm not the least bit
good. I'm always doing mischievous.
funny things and just enjoying my
self. never can be so very serious.
but do like to be good one feels so
| much better Ard it seemed so easy
| when he said hr Il help me and would
not let me be frivolous-and-l thought
could do it-and promised-and. oh.
Ae's so grand! He just made me go
INTO the magistrates to get the license
You see. that wretched law has been
passed that compels the-the-the lady
TO 60 along to get the license. He said
he just wanted to swoop down from
conference and carry me off to the
minister's without any botheration
about the license And somebody saw
US standing before the magistrate. and
they thought We were getting married
Bat you see. we were not, and so you
can't reject him, can you7 oh. know
what his calling means to himw She
twisted her fingers impotently
"And then when he was gone to con-
ference the minister's wife came over
and talked to me, and Of course l
could see then how was just spelling
his life. I'm really not religious.