The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-03-14
-.e .y.Cny.. Qscte.ya.l1xaJ

clothing Or course his IDEA Is tnat
she earns them in some way. The
young woman dresses much better
than my own wife and daughter
And now | come to a most painful
part. One of the ieadin. members of
my church. Il man of high standing in
the neighborhocd. openly and upon ali
occasions speaks the praises of this
young woman. And in some mysteri-
GUS manner it has come to be general
Is understood that this man is the
| means of the young wonan's support
He paused. The president was about
to speak when the speaker again re-
sumeu:
My wife and my Junior colleague
! We're one day walking in the meadows
bordering a grove on the outskirts OF
our village. They We're quietly ex-
aiming 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
agitated. 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 I have heard it on my
circuit. If you receive the man into
this conference, you receive the WON
an. AS be 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 be-
lated lay member came in and was
seated.
The president reluctantly rose to his
feet. 'Brethren, you have heard what
has been said concerning the Junior
minister from IIillsboro. The matter
is open for discussion
| The belated lay brother was on his
| feet. Il was sorry not to be in time
! to hear the business Of the morning,
but about our junior minister at Hills
| boro | have something to say. | see
| by the first draft of the stationing
committee that our senior minister has
been promoted to another and better
circuit, which l am sure he well de
| serves
''Now, our young minister is also
| popular With US. and we wished to give
| him a 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 we'll
pleased with what he had said.
''My dear brother" inquired the pres
ident in an even tone of voice. ''are
you aware that your junior minister is
married."
The delegate addressed smiled broad
~. ''No. sir" he said respectfully, Il
was not aware of it, although l 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 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 l spoke" He sat down. A
profound sigh swept across those in
tent faces like the passing of 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 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-it 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 a mo-
ment. then assembled the platform and
| faced that ministerial congress.
Its not true at ALL she said. turn
ing toward the president He isn't
married-not at all. l 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! new
er intended to ruin his life. | didn't
know You see. l'm not the least bit
good I'm always doing mischievous.
funny things and just enjoying my
| self. | never can be so very serious.