The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1911-06-08

Il WAS
neither very tall nor very slender. The
curves of both her figure and her face
were those of youth. She seemed so
embarrassed that she scarcely knew
wnat 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When she had withdrawn from him
sne 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 young girl barely seven
teen on such subject. It was his
purpose to dissuade her from marry
Ing him. What a situation! Had he
been on the other side he would have
found his task very easy. Had she
Deen older he could have appealed to
her higher spiritual sense with more
chance OF success. AS it was he fear
ca to put himself in very ungallant
II 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. I
know you to be worthy Of the compli-
ment. l am sure there is in you
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
pc enabled to confer a 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 / 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.
eff 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 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
curates voice. perhaps it can be all
arranged another way. Together we
will dispense this blessing which Prov
| idence intends for those who need it.
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 room where tele-
phone apparatus was kept. she closed
the door and called up Mr.. Mainwar-
ing, Sr.
SIS that you, JohnY'
Eyes"
sT'm Martha. The matter between
Arthur and Constance is settled"
Settled! What do you mean"
"She's got him.
"Good! How did she manage It?
What in the world did she say to
him?''
didn't say word.'
"Well, what did she dol"
"Bawled."
| "Bawled? Explain"
''The mink listened to his argument
until he had come to the point, then
began to cry"
"How do you know it's all settiedF
ST Just heard him ask for one teeny,
weeny little kiss
81 told YOU she would manage him.