The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-03-26


study after having eaten lonesome
Easter breakfast. and threw himself
into big chair by the window FOL
= few moments OF quiet before begin,
ming his strenuous day. He heavet
n sigh az he glanced at the empt,
chair on the opposite side--empt,
save for the mind picture the youns
minister was wont to draw on ocea.
sions when the world would seem
well lost Tor the possession of one
particular woman. But that woman
mad not. as vet, appeared upon this
ecciestastieai heartstone OF the Rev
Mr.. Davis.
IT only some sparkling creature
al his own, might rush In. arrayed
In the glory Of Easter daintiness ami
wait with nppreheasfve eyes for i1is
approval before taking her place In
front pew. He knew that, ayaffs,
all beliefs. no would take i.nr into
his arms and tell her she was hi,
dream
There we're many fair parishioners
who would gladly have been tina,
fortunate maid: thei. ineAnstions
however. were restricted to the gilts
which constantly found their way "a
fectcr's study was a Heterogeneous
collection OF soft pillows; the walls
were lined With btbftcaf -yubtpcys -rvt.
IDENTIFY considered the only art APP
proprtate for ministerial eyes. The
Hey Mr.. Davis had been the recipient
o. eighteen pairs OF slippers and
three house coats.
TN hts turn, he sought diligently
among his flock for the girl who
"A n. 1k
hefsetf In another fold. for she GER
AMY did not thrive in his pasture.
The choir. which weekly occupied
four seats facing the pulpit, gave
forth 20 the little church ouch quar-
set music ar 1t felt equal 10. I'd was
comprised entirely of village talen
Jimmie Lanshorn, the tenor, eonsid-
AIRED the world and all It's rriachina-
tons joke: II the soprano felt a
-aett III her sfde when sustaining q
htgh IL WIS nothing more nor less
than Jiinnie's elbow proddins her
along. The contraito was n smal
maiden TO whom the tenor made iove
iuTing the darkness OF the sermon:
the bass singer was also the choir
master.
The soprano. q young patron. and
Jimmie ianghorn were fast friends,
ana many plot asains, ministerial
bacheiordon was Matched between
them. It seemed 10 them a shame
that so good-ioeking minister should
refna.n q bachelor.
So II happened that as the Rev.
Mr.. Davis hemoane1 the singfeness of
his own state and others bemoansd
i for him. the god of love entered
his study. Is baxom honsekeeper
vas the literal bearer, and she offered
Il to Rim az package. labeled and
wrapped In much tissue paper. Upon
being urswathed. the Easter aft
proved to be d small marble statue
II Cupid
And which OF your iarnhs In II this
lime she asked with motierly in-
crest. and noticing surprise on the
-ector-s fare.
The minister read the card: From
be soprano. Easter greetings
And her married woman -
snlfTed Mrs. Mallory. Its wonder
sone Of them don't offer themselves
~ fotsekeepsrsi" She made her exit
with high seorn Ter the Ausce ptihle
sex OF which she ~as humble mem
her
.1aft certainly seeufs odd" reflected
the Rev. Mr. Davis. casting q quiz
ric8i glance at the small god OF love.
Il had not suspected Mrs. Wade OF
4 secret AttAFUHtSAf-~~FoT 1us~---pAt YOU
represent subtle hint OF some Kind
He emii<d
He Called up Mrs. Wade. No; she
had not sent it Her voice. over the
phone. sounded mere or less indig
nant al the idea.
The Res. MIR. Davis prepared for
his Easter service and dismissed the
thought Of the mysterious gift.
The door leading IN the chancei
faced the choir, AS the minister EN-
tered. his eyes lifted 81 moment and
met those ~ girl who occupied the
sopranos usual place in the choir, aud
for moment he had spprahsnsions-
was II possible that the Easter mu-
sic. after all the careful preparation.
was II be sung h. q substitute
stranger Where Was Mrs Wade9 =
But as the service progressed the
minister realized that his fears sere
rroun6less And that was net all
I've was keenly conscious of the prcs-
ente OF the new soprano.
After service. while he stood shak.
ing hands with his departing parish
toner's. according to HE usual oustcr,.
ne anticipated wtih unusu$l pleasure,
his meeting with tire Girl who had
- gractNaa,v assisted the choir lie