The St. Mary banner., 1909-02-27

chairs, gaudy rug, and stitfy starcnet
| ley sat knitting.
] Miss Minkley,' said he. enterine
4 without unnecessary prelude on the
( subject which was at present absorb
ing his mind, we have known each
other from childhood.
| Yes" said Martha.
And l believe you to be a devout
Christian, conscientious woman and
I, a good housekeeper.
Il hope l am" said Miss Martha
rather fluttered by this unusual ad-
! dress.
I'm my house." said Mr.. Blossom
abruptly, Il need all three And |
believe Providence has put it into my
head and heart to appeal to you at
this critical opportunity.
Miss Minkley neither blushed,
giggled, nor burst into tears. She
rocked back and forth, went compos-
edly on with the red worsted sock
that she was knitting, and lifted her
black eyebrows just the least little
trifle.
I'm very sorry said she. Il
only wish you had been a little ear
lier; but I'm engaged already"
"Engaged?"
Mr.. Blossoms lower jaw fell; he
stood blankly looking at her.
ITO Mr.. Telwright!" explained Miss
Minkley.
But he's sixty cried Mr.. Bios
SON.
He is not young" admitted
Martha.
Surely, surely, Martha" argued
Paul, forgetting all formalities in his
eager interest, you cannot care for
him."
Mo-" said Martha, Il can't say
that l do. But he offers me very
good home"
good clergyman, that you can allow
yourself to be swayed by considera-
tions like this?"
"One must do the best one can for
oneself" said Miss Minkley.
We'll, WELL" sighed Mr.. Blossom,
"it would be downright sinful to
doubt that all is ordered for the best.
1t is the will of heaven. l always
liked you. Martha, and l believe your
life with me would have been both
useful and pleasant. At least, no
effort of mine should have been lack
ing to make it So.
I'm very sorry" said Martha, de-
But first come first served,
you know"
Il should like occasionally to call
and see you." said the clergyman.
You will still be in my parish, you
know"
"Oh, certainly" said Martha. "I
hope we shall always be the best of
friends"
And Mr.. Blossom almost fancied
that, for quarter of second, the
tender grasp of his hand was in some
measure returned.
He walked dejectedly out.
Il am too late, Mrs. Dodd," he said,
the CHEEKY landlady, who
was coming in with pair of newly
brass candlesticks.
Dear, dear, sir" said Mrs. Dodd. |
"She has already promised herself |
@ Mr.. Telwright. Though how, to |
De sure, she could ever have made |
lis acquaintance"
"She wasn't acquainted with him,
ir, said Mrs. Dodd. Not at all At |
east not until l introduced 'em, an
lour ago."
The Rev. Paul looked Mortified.
"And yet," he gasped, "she is going
o marry him."
Mrs. Dodd, in her CONSERVATION,
lropped one of the brass candlesticks.
BLESS your heart alive, sir!" she
ried out, "she amt a-goin' to do
lothing of the kind. She's only 60
ng to be housekeeper for him, at
wenty dollars month, and two SER
ants kept. You wasn't a-meanin,
ir, to-"
Il was asking her to be my wife,"
aid Mr.. Blossom, solemnly; "and l
ully believed that she understood me
0 that effect"
Mrs. Dodd grabbed eagerly at the
leeve of his coat.
She Couldn't" said she. "Just
Tait bit, sir-wait a bit. Martha!
Iatty! Come out here this minute!
'ou haven't understood a word that
he Rev. Mr.. Blossom has said to you.
lie has asked you to marry hint"
The knitting fell from Miss Mink
,y's hands; she turned very pale,
nd began to tremble. Was it then, [
crushed-out, forgotten
ream of her whole life? The reach
lg instinct of her hungering heart?
id some one really love her at last .