Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-08

For ne!
Certainly" said the bishop; "she gave it to you.
aWe, ma'am and sir" said the bewidered Mr..
Smets, there's only thing for me to do. She
called me gentleman and you called me gentleman
Them words sweet to my soul, but I've got to
show that amt gentleman as much as am man.
Miss Penley I'd like to have and for the hrst time
he faltered if you'd give me-f | might have
But Miss Penley OWNED what he wanted :
THE Testament! she exclaimed, and on the IN
slant she put it i'll his outstretched hand.
MAY God bless the reading of His Word to you,
1Amenl" answered Mr. Smets kissing the book
if he were taking an oath -
He made another of his nimitable bows, full of
grace but this time with strange sort OF dignity about
It, and then marched out into the rainy night
"Oh, I'm wicked, wicked sinner" said Miss Pen
ley sinking down in the Boston rocker and buryng her
"My dear child" said the bishop, laying his hand
tenderly in benedcton upon her bowed head, while
perhaps entirely justify you in your action,
yet am sure your motives My dear Miss Cordelia,
it was magnificent God bless you'll!
The bishop could not trust himself to say another
word He turned and marched out OF the door,
Another year, another spring, the same house, the
same woman. Night time and the rain again. An
other knock the door There had been tmidty in
Mr. Smets's knock, in Mr. Bill Saders, bene-
dction in that of the bishop; the characteristic of this
knock was self-respect Miss Peney connosseur
in knocks. Call it elepathy, explain 1t how you Will,
but Miss Penley was certain that the hand which tapped
the door could belong TO no other than Mr.. George
Smets.
Miss Penley stopped before the mirror moment
SmOOtned ner nar, already >SlBHcu
pearance whose panness had never been so evident to
her, and then opened the door.
There was Mr.. Smets.
GOOD evening, Miss Penley," he began.
"Come right in Mr. Smets," answered Miss Cor
della "You must be awfully wet"
NO." said Mr.. Smets, stepping over the threshold
and closing the door, have rain coat and I'm quite
He took off his rain coat Miss Cordelia noticed that
won't you sit DOWN." she said family.
Before sit down, Miss Penley I've got something
into his pocket and pulled out worn little Testament
my Testament" exclaimed Miss Cordelia.
The and want to expan na s that
handln'. It's been read to pieces.
al see" said Miss Penley softly.
"And | want to tell you, continued Mr. Smets
"that l amt agnostic no more, not me, maam."
THE bishop has always said that the reading OF
Gods Word would convince any one' said Miss
"Yes'n" returned Mr. Smets obviously, "Its a
powerful help, but reckon you've got to have per-
sona stimulus of kind to sort of help you along
and lead you up to begnnn' to read 1t, and then to
keep you at it"
You're the stimulus for me- said Mr. Smets
"You and this book You done it." However his
manners and morals had improved his grammar had
remained stationary 1--WE had talks with the
bishop and I'm going to be baptized tomorrow in the
little church here Him. and me has arranged it, and
you're to be my sponsor
"I shall be very glad" answered Miss Peney, with
a strange sinking of the heart.
But that amt ALL" interrupted Mr.. Smets +" If it
rests with me- there's gon' to be a-another religious
ceremony"
Miss Cordea's heart stopped beating for the
nent. She did not dare to say a word
"You see" continued Mr. Smets, with elaborate
planaton "Pve been different man sEce that day
you saved me right here in this very room amt
drunk drop, or swore, done thing so far as
know it. since went out to that camp It's because
of you an God" he continued gIavely, without
thought of rreverence. "You called me gentleman,
but want to tell you I'm now, and, Miss PEN
ley, if-if-" for the first time Mr. Smets faltered-
if you'll take me, I'm your man..
a
choking with emotion, I'm very proud OF your grati-
tude."
heavens maam, this amt gratitude at all I'm lovin
you. | think | was took with you the minute / seen
you through the window that night lookn quiet and
good and comfortable in here. Will you marry me
= now, Miss Peney?"
I'm forty years DID," said Miss Penley and I'm
Il take it" Mr.. smets interrupted quickly, that
that means you'll have me"
Miss Cordelia said nothing She had experience
to draw upon meet crises of this character. The
next moment Mr.. Smes boldly stepped closer to her
took her in his far as five feet six could take
FIVE feet eevenand bent down her head until he could
kiss her fairly and squarely upon the lips.
"The other ceremony which referred to-" said Mr.
Smets, is weddn' I've got FIVE hundred dollars
saved up from my years work. and I've got steady
job I'm one of the junior assistant engineers on the
railroad"
her back until she could lay her cheek his shoulder
1t was "a new, strange, a, delightful situation.
And again there knock upon the door.
Mr. Smets would have sworn had he not been
brand snached from the burning, child redeemed and
Miss Penley would have perhaps forgiven him in view
of the untimely interruption at such moment But
Mr. Smets himself away from Miss Cordelia, strobe
to the door, threw it open savagey and admitted the
bishop.
"Ah" said the bishop, smiling genally, Il couldn't
resist coming around if the arrangements for the
baptism of friend here were agreeable to you
and"
Bishop" cried Mr.. Smets, the baptism is to be
followed by weddn' You see, / come back for that
silver of mine, and of I couldn't take it with
out takn'Z" Mr.. Smets paused" Cordelia, too,' he
added softly
Bishop" said Miss Penley bushing, 81 know you
think Pm old fool
INV dear woman" said the bishop kindly, II think
YOU are going be happy you deserve to be- and
could hardly wish any more than that"