The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1910-03-24
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Az Easter Offering

it,,s, moments of 9biet befbSe begin-
nihg his3strehuous day. fe heayed
sigh AS he glanced at the empty
clair on ,he opposite side-empty
save for The mind picture the young
minister was won't to draw on occa
sions when the world would seem
weH lost for the possession of one
PARTICULAR woman But that woman
had not, as yet appeared upon the
ecclesiastical hearthstone OF the Rev
Mr.. Davis.
II only some sparkling creature, all
lls own, might rush in, arrayed in the
slory OF Easter daintiness and wait
with apprehensiye eyes for his ap-
moyal before taking her place in q
front pew,i lie knew that, against all
beliefs, he would take her into his
Il ms and tell her she was his dream.
There were many fair parishione's
who would gladly have been that for
trLatc maid; their ncIinations, t1w-
ever, were restricted to the gifts
which constantly found their way TO
tic rcctory. The wide couch in the
lectors study was heterogeneous col
lection Of soft pillows; the walls were
lined with Biblical subjects evidently
considered the only art appropriatc
Tor ministerial eyes. The REV Mli
Davis had been the recipient of eigu-
teen pairs Of slippers and three house
coats.
In his turn, he sought fsdligently
among his flock for the a girl who
might do: she apparently stunned her
sell in anothe fold, for she certainly
dia not thrive in his pasture
The choir, which weekly occupied
four seats facing the pulpit gave
forth to The little church such quartet
music as II felt equal TO. II was COM
Used entirely of village talent, jim
mic l.anghofn, The tenor, considered
the world and all its Vaccinations II
Jokc: il the soprano fell jolt in
her side whcu sustaining a high G IT
VAS nothing more or less chan Jim
ple's elbow prodding her along The
cnntralto was small maiden to
whom the tenor made love during the
darkness Of the sermon, the bass sins
ger was also the choirmaster.
The soprano, a young matron, and
Jimmie Lanehorn were fast friends,
and many a plot against ministerlat
nachelordom was hatched between
them 1t seemed TO them shanla
ibat so good looking a minister should
remain a bachelor.
SO il happened that as the Rev. M.
Davis benuaned the slngleness of his
own state and others bcmoaned Il
fol Him. the god OF love entered his
study His buxOm housekeeper was
tie literal bearer, and she offered II
to him as package, labeled ana
raped IN much tissue paper Upon
heing unswathed the Easter gift prov
ca to be "a small marble statue OF
Cupid.
"And which of your lambs is il this
time? she asked wib mothorly inter
est, and Noticing surprise on the-fec'
tors face. 20
The minister read the card From
;he soprano, Easter greetings
And her 4 married woman. sniff
eG Mrs. Mallory. ITS a wonder some
O. them don't offer themselves as
kousekeepers," She made her exit
with high scorn for the susceptible
sex of which she was humble mem
ber.
1T certainly seems odd, reflected
the Rev Mr.. Davis, casting a quiZl'
cal glance AT the small god OF love. !
tad not suspected Mrs. Wade of a
secret attdchment--lot me-but you
n present 4 subtle hint of some kind
lie smiled
He called up Mrs, Wade. No; shc
bad not sent It, Her voice, over the
the phone. sounded more or less III
dlgnant at the idea.
The Rev Mr.. Davis prepared Tor
lis Easter service and dismissed the
thought Of the mysterious gift
The door leading TO the chancei
faced lhe choir AS the minister cl,
tered, his eyes lifted a moment ana
net those of girl who occupied the
scpfano's usual place in the choir, and
ior momcnt he had apprehensions.
Was II possible that the Easter music
Was to be sung by substitute 4
stranger Where was Mrs. Wade?
Put as the service progressed the
minister realized that his fears were
groundcss. And that was moi all
hr was keenly conscious OF the pres
e,.ce of the new soprano.
After service. while he stood shah
iug hands with his departing pa iShou
clr. according 10 his usual CUSTOM
he anticipated with unusual pleasure
his meeting with the girl who had
so grariously assisted the choir tie
VAS anxious TO congratulate her anu
thank her
or Davis, said the voice OF Jim
mic Iangnorn, at his side, Il want
ia prnscut YOU 10 this sister of mine,
Muriel, our rector. Dr Davis, De
said. turning TO the gil. "Sbe cried
in bc allowed 10 sing in our choir 50
We had 10 lei her Mrs. Wade has q
cold. you know and was glad OF an
opportunity 10 he excused. SIS, mere
has snst returned from Germany ana
was anxious to try her wings. JIM
mie Langhorn ioked even with the
minister
MurjcI east an indignant glance at
her brother as hes hand met that ol
the ministcr. "It isn't So Dr. Davis,
she said with mounting color, for the
Young minister's gray eyes had not
cnce left h9r face lie aud Mrs. wade
Irade dire threats until ! consented.
FOR which they deserve a gold
n cdal." affirn,, the dominic.
DON'T exclaimed Jimmie. she Is
ccnceltcd enough now, between her