The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1909-05-21

replied the woman. while she devoured
the stuff set before her.
sWhntever may have been the past"
said the little minister, don't forget
that forgiveness IL yours for the ask.
ing"
He spoke In his most persuasive ac-
cents 10 the poor creature. Ills advice
was wise and sound. for with all his
modesty and simplicity the minister
was both clever and alive to daily
needs. a fact that the woman repeat
eddy acknowledged with mournful
eye and tagging appetite. At times
she even desisted in her siege of the
eatables when the little minister said
something particularly simple and
kind.
Finally she broke down and told all
her story-an old, old story, not ut all
romantic. not even interesting to any
except the poor creature herself, The
minister listened patiently to her long.
labored. tedious recital and II some.
times he felt as II he would go wild
with Impotence when he thought of
Marguerite he promptly forced himself
| In punishment to concentrate his mind
and soul even more than before on the
object before him that demanded so
much Of his pity and his help.
| Here was soul for him to succor
and save. and what was his own
| hearts ease to that?
1t was late that evening before the
| little minister returned home after
| having found home for his distressed
| protegee. He should have felt thrill
| of gratitude for duty done and sense
Of humble satisfaction for his success
In bringing back the straying one to
the right road.
He blamed himself for not feeling It.
But the more he tried to feel content
because he had done his duty the more
his soul sank In him and the heavier
did his heart seem.
The Rev. Mr. Dubois, though a most
devoted minister. was none the less an
intensely human man. and all the sat
isfaction in doing duty could not lift
him from the dependency that he was
in, for he felt sure that he had lost
any chance, If he possessed one, with
| Marguerite van Dlemen.
His belief was strengthened to con-
viction next day when he called at her
house. wondering what he could say to
gain her pardon. 1t was characteristic
of him that 1t never entered his head
to explain to her what had kept him
away. That would have seemed like
cant and self praise to the little min
ister
The only excuse he could offer was
"parochial business" And he realized
sharply that would seem a paltry ex
cuse, though he didn't consider any
thing in the line of his duty as paltry
So he sent up his card in low spirits
and he was not surprised, though he
was grieved. when the maid returned
and said that her mistress begged to
be excused and added request that
he write to her, saying what she could
i do for him.
Another man might have felt of.
Tended and naughty. The little minis.
ter was too just for that. He went
home quietly and wrote very simple
little letter telling Miss Marguerite
|
He begged her forgiveness for not
keeping the appointment and explain
ed it by saying: "a little matter OF
church business came up to keep me
could not evade 1t, though i assure
you that it was great sorrow to me
to be kept away"
J Then in his mind he wrote "Finis'
. to his romance and turned sturdily tc
his work ON the unfinished sermon.
Twenty minutes after he had dis
patched the note his doorbell rang
again. This time the little minister
. did feel that there were dramas in lit
tie things. He laid down his pen ant
thought.
He heard the maid open the door
He heard a soft voice ask for him
Before he could rise gown rustled
and Marguerite Van Diemen came to
ward the open library door.
II have brought you the answer t
your note myself" said she. She helt
up her hand. Before tell you wha
} it Is" she continued very hurriedly
with her breath coming short and fas
3 and her eyes shining ''let me tell vol
something else. Do you know what
l have always abhorred the most? The
. preaching that does not practice! Ant
next to that | object to the practicins
J, that breaches too much of what 4
. doesp
The little minister looked at her will
questioning bewilderment in his darl
; eyes.
Marguerite Van Diemen made few
steps forward and toward him.
II saw you last evening on the stree
with young woman" she went on
j IL was a little angry that you SHOULD
have thought of anything except ou
appointment. This morning went t
e carry some medicine to old Mrs An
: ston and found that you had taken tn
z young woman there to nurse her Shit
told me what you had said to her ant
5 what you had done for her"
e "Will you forgive me for seeming Il
neglect youT' faltered the little min
lister
L Wait" said Miss Van Diemen. -