The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1909-04-10

drive them in the carriage to the
church, and I'll have James wait
there to bring them home after the
sessions
The looked-for ring at the door cut
short her hospitable plans, and in an
other moment she was looking upon
her delegates not upon bishop.
They very evidently were from the
country. A tall, lank, white-bearded
patriarch entered, and upon his arm
was a chubby faced young woman,
hardly as old as Alice herself. The
old mans clothes revealed the signs
Of long service and many careful
brushings and spongings. The wife
was evidently a bride, for her ill
made, i'll fitting frock was of pearly
gray with pink trimmings, and her
hat was white, with wealth of white
flowers wandering over and under it.
There was not perceptible pause be-
tween Alice's frightened taking in of
! the situation and her greeting of her
/ guests. Mrs. Parker rose from her
chair to hold out her little wrinkled
hands with her old fashioned cour-
tesy, and Ted Mason did his share of
welcoming.
"You must be tired" said Alice,
hospitality, after moment, and then
she led the way to the guest cham
Der, and left them alone.
Her husband intercepted her on
her return, and grinned as he shook
her affectionately. Don't you worry,
Alice" he whispered. IT am so re-
lieved A bride and groom will talk
to each other, and my brilliant con-
versational powers will not beneeded. "
"That is true" agreed his wife,
with flaming cheeks. "They will
entertain each other, and I'llnot need
to go round with them. o Ted
isn't she awful She looks like
pillow with a string tied about it
and he-why did they send US such
people -
The old minister, Mr.. Harvey, had
a certain dignity which kept him from
seeming embarrassed in the new
splendors of Alice's dining-room, but
the poor little bride was evidently i'll
at ease. Mrs. Parker devoted her.
self to them, and Alice was not far be-
hind, so before the first meal was con-
cluded the conversation was general,
if not very absorbing in its interest.
There followed an hour or two in
the library, and then Mrs. Parker
said to the minister:
IT am not strong enough for late
hours, Mr.. Harvey. Will you not
have prayers now?"
This was another unexpected turn,
for Alice had not entertained minis
ter before, and there ensued furried
hunting for a Bible. Finally she
brought, from Mrs. Parker's own
room, the big family Bible. Alice
deposited it, with an effort, upon the
table at the minister's side, and men,
tally resolved that the next day she
would buy one of more convenient
size.
"The servant, sister," asked Mr..
Harvey. "Do you not have her come
in for worship?" Then came brief
but energetic argument in the kitchen
with Jane, who finally came in, with
sulky, frown. to sit down by the
library door. Things were taking a
strange turn in the butterhy's nest,
but Mrs. Parker lay back in her chair,
and as Alice gazed at the sweet,
placid face, it seemed to her that she
could see the golden light of past
days dawning over it. The country
bride sat still, regarding her hus-
bands countenance reverently, and
as Alice's eyes wandered, she met
her husbands glance. His eyes held
no laugh in them, although he smiled
at her understandingly, and strangest
of all, when the reading was finished,
lanes lowering face had cleared, and
she slipped quietly out of the room
without even shake of her express
sive shoulders.
my granddaughter has made some
pleasant plans for you, my dear, "
said Mrs. Parker the next morning
to the bride. eve are so glad that
Our delegates are as they are. We
had expected two gentlemen, but /
always prefer a lady. One gets SO
much better acquainted, you know"
Alice bit her lip. She had ordered
the carriage, and had intended put
ting it at the disposal of her guests,
but she certainly had no idea of going
out with them. There was nothing
for it but to acquiesce, however, when
Mrs. Parker told Mrs. Harvey that
her hostess would take her to the
church and remain there through the
opening service With her. Alice con-
sidered that she would have to reason
little with her grandmother pri'
vately.
Alice pointed out the pastors house
as they drove by, and Mr.. Harvey
looked at it with interest.
wen we'll he Sdlu. nS
church is learning to take care of hel
servants these days. Such a fine
house-and they tell me you pay
your pastor two thousand dollars a
year guess I was born fifty year:
too soon, Mamie, he said, jocularly
to the little bride. 1.-The younger
preachers don't have the struggle:
we older men had. Why, have beer
preaching now for forty years, and
my highest salary was five hundred
dollars a year-that was when th'
boys and girls were young, and yot
know you have eight stepchildren
Mamie. Still, it is all right, and
am not the one to grumble. The re-
wards always did go to the deserving
men, and 1 know I am not much o
a preacher, so am just grateful tt
be remembered by my old conference
in the way am"
1t sounded strange to Alice Masor
five hundred dollars year for ;
whole family to live on How corlt
they do it? Her own little perplexi
ties over ways and means seemed sill,
in comparison.