The Democratic advocate., 1909-04-23

l
modesty and simplicity the minister
was both clever and alive to daily
needs, fact that the woman repeat
edly acknowledged with a 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 at all
romantic, not even interesting to any
except the poor creature herself. The
minister listened patiently to her long,
labored, tedious recital, and if some
times he felt as if he would go wild
with impatience 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.
7 Here was a soul for him to succor
and save, and what was his own
hearts ease to that?
It was late that evening before the
little minister returned home after
having found home for his distressed
protegee. He should have felt a 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 a 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 Diemen.
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 it 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
lister.
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 tt
be excused and added request that
he write to her, saying what she could
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
Van Diemen all that was in his heart
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.
1 could not evade it, though 1 assure
you that it was a great sorrow to me
to be kept away"
Then in his mind he wrote "Finis"
to his romance and turned sturd1ly to
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 and
thought.
He heard the maid open the door.
He heard d soft voice ask for him.
Before he could rise a gown rustled,
and Marguerite Van Diemen came to-
ward the open library door.
"I have brought you the answer to
your note myself" said she. She held
I'D her hand. Before I tell you what
it is," she continued very hurriedly,
with her breath coming short and fast
and her eyes shining, 'let me tell you
something else. Do you know what L
have always abhorred the most? The
preaching that does not practice! And
next to that I object to the practicing
that breaches too much Of what 1t
doesv'
The little minister looked at her with
questioning bewilderment in his dark
eyes.
Marguerite Van Diemen made few
steps forward and toward him.
'I saw you last evening on the street
with a young woman she went on.
''I was a little angry that you should
have thought of anything except our
appointment. This morning l went to
carry some medicine to old Mrs. An
ston and found that you had taken the
young woman there to nurse her. She
told me what you had said to her and
what you had done for her"
'Will you forgive me for seeming to
neglect your faltered the little min
ister
wait" said Miss Van Diemen. Il
still wanted to test you. 1 wanted to
see what you would do. So l waited
till you wrote. If you had tried to
explain more than you did, why, then
perhaps 1 would not have brought you
my answer"
And as she came toward the minis
fer with her hands held out even the
modest Rev. Mr.. Philander did not need
anything more to tell him what the
answer was.