The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-05-12

II
/ curves Of both her figure and her face
| were those of youth. She seemed so
embarrassed that she scarcely knew
what to do. Advancing shyly to the
curate, she put out her hand. all the
while with averted gaze. The little
| member nestled soft and warm in the
mans larger palm, and a delicious
thrill ran up his arm.
When she had withdrawn from him
she went to the other part Of the
room and seated herself as far away
from him as she conveniently could.
Mr.. Mainwaring felt the difficulty Of
addressing d young girl barely seven
teen on such subject. 1t was his
purpose to dissuade her from marry
ing him. What situation! Had he
been on the other side he would have
| found his task very easy. Had she
been older he could have appealed to
her higher spiritual sense with more
chance Of success. As it was he fear
ed to put himself in very ungallant
If not unmanly position. He remained
silently turning the matter over in his
mind till the silence was becoming
painful, then, clearing his throat, he
began:
"a certain proposition has been
made to me in which you are involved.
My father has done you the honor to
wish you for his daughter-in-law. /
know you to be worthy Of the compli-
ment. I am sure there is in you a
nobility of soul far beyond the aver
age. If you decline proposition from
me, father will not insist on my marry
ing any one else. In that case shall
be enabled to confer great benefit on
the church and through the church on
millions Of beings. No one knows
warming to his subject, he arose and
took seat beside her-"how many
immortal souls by decision Of yours
may be saved and translated at last to
glory. / think l hear a chorus of
voices Of those whom you have saved
exultingly chanting your praises be-
fore the heavenly throne"
| He paused for breath. Constance
seemed very much affected. She did
not look up at him, but rested her
bowed head on her hand, the elbow
resting on the arm Of her seat-a sofa
and Mr.. Mainwaring moved nearer
to her and bent forward that he might
see the effect of his exordium Her
hand nearest to him lay limp. That
he might make the rest of his appeal
more successful he clasped it softly in
his own.
"Tf you choose selfishly in this mat
ter" he continued, what do you
gain? First, an unworthy servant of
the Lord; second, that which is dross.
Lay not up for yourself treasure on
earth, where moth and rust doth cor
rupt.' Choose rather that spiritual part
which will"-
The speaker stopped short. Mrs.
Rutherford, who was listening on the
landing above, exclaimed:
Goodness gracious! What is the
child bowling about"
Sobs, sObs, more sobs, came up from
the drawing room. Mrs. Rutherford
waited for words. She waited during
what seemed long while. though it
was only a matter of half minute;
then she heard the curate say:
''There, there; don't cry"
This was succeeded by a fresh burst
of sobs.
"Come, come; dry your tears, dear
little girl"
But the more the curate strove to
calm his proposed convert the more she
wept.
That's right" muttered Mrs. Ruth
erford to herself. Keep it up and all
will be WELL"
Constance, dearest" came again the
curate's voice, perhaps it can be all
arranged another way. Together we
will dispense this blessing which Prov
idence intends for those who need 1t.
You may be my assistant. Dry your
tears, sweetheart. There, there; put
your head down on my shoulder. We
shall be very happy together Now
give me just one teeny, weeny little
kiss"
Mrs. Rutherford waited to hear no
more. Going to a room where tele-
phone apparatus was kept, she closed
bhC Nooh anu Sdhcu up Mis
Ing, Sr.
rs that you, John"
EYES,"
'T'm Martha. The matter between
Arthur and Constance is settled"
"Settled! What do you mean"
"She's got him."
Good! How did she manage 1t?
What in the world did she say to
himY
didn't say a word"
"Well, what did she doT
"Bawled."
"Bawled? Explain"
1.-THE mink listened to his argument
until he had come to the point, then
began to cry"
How do you know it's all settled2"
"I just heard him ask for one teeny,
weeny little kiss"
II told you she would manage him.
And she'll keep it up too"
The curate had called to convert
girl to the cause of his being cell
bate, and instead she had converted
him to matrimony. When he had come
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