The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1911-02-17

ne sun hdu uIopptu ptluN 'H' liN
of ragged old-feld pines GROWING the
distant hills, and the glow in the west
had melted into a thin line Of purple
along 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 10
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, yine-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
brimming with song, called Justify
from the orchard: Come out, come
out it sang, appealingly. BE glad,
be glad! Love and liYe--liye and
love"
The call sounded a personal note.
The gray minister arose in answer to
it and started unsteadily in the direc-
tion Of the orchard, his heavy cane
clattering 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
ruptly. He was recalled to the pres
ent with a start This was an un-
seemly hour to have visitors. He was
puzzled to know what it meant COuId
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:
rs 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. am
lIr. Strong"
Well, can't you-can't you" lal-
tered the young man. I'VE want you
to marry US
Marry you? Why, bless your heart,
| haven't married a couple in eight
years-not since that stormy Febru-
airy day when an old fellow and
young woman down from Pottsville
way called on me uneXpectedly-and
they nearly drowned crossing the
creek on their way home"
ooh r,r,v,,i-, ,,,3,
drowned, and you will marry US?
Come, let's so in" spoke the young
man, with the conviction OF one who
considers a 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 a high perch in the June
apple tree, and the minister's heart
beat in tune with it, He led the way
cheerily into the house and then into
the musty parlor numbered with
countless collection of bric-a-brac
that Miss Rachel had industriously
gathered with the passing years. He
laughed aloud. 1t would be great fun
to tease her when she returned. To
miss such an occasion-but he would
give her the fee to compensate for the
disappointment
When he had lighted the gaudy,
red-shaded lamp he turned instructive
ly to look upon the woman. The
Limitation against feminine attraction
is not barred by mere age. It is
thing to be decided by the heart, ire
spective of youth or years. And it
was ever thus. She was a mere girl,
tall pretty, winsome in her embar-