The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-07-21


had melted into a thin line of purple
a'ong the far horizon. The fragrance
Of spring roses in the garden mingled
with the pleasant smell of freshly
turned earth in the nearby fields
where the men had been riding to
cotton rows for planting. Away to
the south, sheet lightning played IN
weird fashion along the low bank OF
thunderheads, and the call of the
night birds was drowned at times by
the mournful cry of the whip-poor.
will.
1t was springtime in the Piedmont.
The subtle resurrection of life that
takes place at this season appealed
with irresistible force to the aged min.
lister. There was in him, also. an in
tangible resurrection of life, the vain,
pathetic longing of the aging spirit
to turn back the tide of years and to
respond to the newness in Nature He
sat alone on the narrow, vine-covered
piazza, his thoughts running back and
forth with dream-like vagueness to
events of the long ago.
Miss Rachel-she was the only sis.
ter and the mainstay of the superan.
nuated minister-had gone away that
morning on her annual pilgrimage to
the missionary conference. 1t was the
sun of unalloyed happiness around
which her little world made its yearly
revolution. Berry, the servant, had
been dismissed for the night and was
already doing on the step of his
cabin in the yard, within easy call.
A mocking-bird, deep-throated and
trimming with song, called Justify
from the orchard: Come out, come
OUT 1t sang, appealingly. BE glad.
be glad! Love and Twelve and
love-"
The call sounded personal note.
The gray minister arose in answer to
1t and started unsteadily in the direc-
ton Of the orchard, his heavy cane
gathering with unwonted vigor on the
smooth, hard walk.
He had not quite reached the rick
ETY. gate when suddenly a vehicle
dashed up and stopped in front of it.
The incident ended his reverie alb.
rurtiy. He was recalled to the pres.
cut with start. This was an un-
seo:nly hour TO have visitors. He was
puzzled to know what it meant. Could
anything have happened to Miss
Rachel?
He did not have long to wait, how
ever. The suspense was quickly
broken. A young man dismounted.
walked briskly to the gate, and, with
hat in hand, respectfully inquired:
us this Mr.. Strong, the Methodist
minister"
yves, have been a minister" he
admitted, hesitatingly, but am out
OF harness now-merely an old worth.
les horse turned out to grass. ara
MIR. Strong."'
Well, can't you-can't you" fal.
tered the young man. I'VE want you
to marry us"
Marry you? Why. bless your heart,
haven't married couple in eight
years-not since that stormy Febru.
airy day when an old fellow and a
young woman down from Pottsyille
way called on me unexpectedly-and
they nearly drowned crossing the
creek on -aelr way home"
"Oh. Well promise you not to get
drowned. and you will marry us?
Come, let's go in" spoke the young
man. with the conviction of one who
considers matter settled.
The spell of the night was again
strong upon the minister. A Wedding
All, but this was in keeping with the
everlasting spirit Of youth about him
The mocking-bird renewed its merry
song from high perch in the June
apple tree. and the minister's heart
beat in tune with 1t. He led the way
cheerily into the house and then into
the musty parlor cumbered with a
countless collection of bric.a-brat
that Miss Rachel had industriouslv
gathered with the passing years. He
laughed aloud. 1t would be great fun
to tease her when she returned. TT
miss such an occasion-but he would
give her the fee to compensate for the
disappointment.
When he had lighted the CANDY
red-shaded lamp he turned instinctive
ly to look upon the woman. The
Limitation against feminine attraction
is not barred by mere age. It ia .
thing to be decided by the heart ira
spective of youth or years. And /,
was ever thus. She was a mere girl
tall. pretty. winsome in her embar
1assment, the flush Of roses glowins
on her youthful face. She was dresses
in plain but smart frock of some
rich old color. and a great droopinr
indescribable hat added certain em
phasis to her loneliness. The man
the mere man-was clad simply. !,
conventional black and scenes
scarcely older than the girl.
The minister soon recovered ~,
self-possession. Then he ADDRESSED
them apologetically. you didns
bring anyone with you? We mus,
have witnesses. you know. Rachel i,
gone. There's not soul here. w.
will have to send out for them. tn.
T avo1o aro 0,1r noorou% ro,~hA q