The Newport plain talk. (Newport, Tenn.) 1909-1939, 1913-04-24
THE MINISTER'S:
SURPRISE.
There Were Two Sides
to It.
By KATHERINE YOUNG THAxTER.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Rev. Calvin Morris was quite an
noyed.
He was in anything but ministerial
mood when he tossed his hat on the
table amid the confusion of books and
papers and snt down in his study to
situation that at first he had been mild
~ amused at 1t, but now-pshaw! Why
couldn't he ignore 1t?
But 1t had passed the stage when 1t
could be ignored. In the past three
days he had been told five times that
his congregation would like very much
to see him married Nor had these re-
marks been the half ocular words on
his bachelor condition that he had Of
ten heard since coming to the church
at Littleton, but had been earnest
words Of advice expressed by the most
prominent members Of his flock.
He was popular in the parish, and
his two years pastorate had been pro-
ductiye of good results, but there had
been one thing lacking.
Accustomed for years before Ills adj
vent to the service Of most devoted
minister and his able wife whose home
had been the center for vigorous
church life, the people simply could not
get used to a minister in boarding
house Besides, there stood the fine
new parsonage empty. Certainly 1t
was Ills duty to live up to the demands
of his people. When Miss Gilbert, the
wealthy maiden lady who had contrib
uted SO much to the church, both in
money and good deeds, died two years
ago the parsonage she was building for
the church was not quite finished.
The Rev. Calvin Morris knew he
would use it in time. Indeed, all un-
known to his people, vague plans had
been floating through the minister's
head for some months, and he had fire.
quently looked very re1ectvely at the
quiet house beside the church.
But the real vexing, disquieting point
gregation had not only decided that he
should marry, but apparently had fixed
on whom he should marry. This was
assured the night he took tea with Mrs.
Thorpe, one of the most active ladies
in his church, when the chief topic Of
conversation was Miss Nell Gilbert
Now. Mr.. Morris had taken a most
unreasonable and unministerial dislike
to Miss Gilbert, member of his
church whom he had never seen. She
was the niece of the great Miss Gil
bert and had lived with her, aunt until
the latters death. when the great
house on the hill had been closed.
Since then the young lady had travel
ed, SO the minister had never seen her.
He had heard great deal of her,
though, and had formed an impression
of q person of undoubted energy and
ability, accustomed to have things just
as she wanted and inclined to be dom
ineering. Miss Nell'' had ideas of her
own on church music. Miss Nell" had
designed this and had attended to that.
1t seemed to the minister there was
little too much Of "AIiss Nell" every
where
Tall and muscular and aggressive
himself, accustomed to sbouldering
burdens and clearing difficulties, the
Rev. Calvin had. of course, an ideal of
feminine grace very different from his
own vigorous personality. Indeed, as
he sat thinking in his study that morn
ing smile rose to the firm lips and
softened the austere lines into which
he had framed them as he saw in his
minds eye a petite, graceful form,
soft. appealing dark eyes and masses
OF cloudy brown hair. Alas for the
plans Of the people who had made up
their minds that Miss Nell" and the
minister would be an eminently we'll
fitted pair.
But the vision faded quickly, and
j the many hints that had been dropped
\ during the last few days flashed in
rspid succession through his mind.
Miss Nell'' was coming home next
week. He would be thrown at her
head and she ut his by his we'll mean
ing flock until something happened.
Already . the subject had assumed
alarming proportions. He could not.
he would not, stay round and be made
a football Of. to be tossed into any
wOman's arms.
Again came unbidden that alluring
vision of brown hair and eloquent eyes,
II was preposterous. How could they
badger him now, just as his heart was
beating more madly every day for
come one? All. If he were only sure!
Did that friendship, formed few short
months ago. that soul satisfying friend
ship. mean to the girl OF the vision
what 1t had come 10 mean to him?
Could he. dare he, offer her his love?
! He. had been living since then in a
beautifnl dream. Suppose that dresm
should be fulfilled?
He hesitated Dreaming hal been 10
sweet he feared the awakening. Dare
! he risk "the. last lenp?" With Ii bound
he sprnng to his feet, He could and
ne would lie would please himself in
tho ciloice of n wife anyway and IF fo--