The Press., 1916-04-26
MRS. MASON'S SCHEME A Story For Easter
 Sunday
By BARBARA PHlPPS

Horace Baxter. twenty-four years old had been graduated from an Episcopal theological seminary. had packed his trunk preparatory to leaving for home and was looking over a time table tC see what train he should take when 8 maid brought to his room a postcard from the bishop requesting him to call Wondering what could he wanted of him, be went immediately to answer the summons.
 Baxter had shown unusual proficien cy. originality and withal a special ability for speaking without notes. He stood high in his class.
 "I received your call, bishop," he said, land have come"-
 "Ah, Mr. Baxter. H'm; be seated"
 Reaching toward table near by, the bishop fumbled among some pa pers, selected one. took out of his waistcoat pocket a pair of gold rim med glasses, wiped them with a cam bric handkerchief. looked over the pa per, thought awhile. then said:
 "I have here letter from a widow who Is apparently wealthy, for she has built a church in memory of her hus- band. She desires me to recommend some young recent graduate for the position of its rector. The salary is surprisingly large for beginner-two thousand year."
 Baxter was caught in a whirl of expectation.
 -There Is a curious condition to the appointment" continued the bishop, which may or may not be considered an encumbrance. At first I was sus- picious that there might be something wrong about 1t all It doesn't seem to tue that any sane woman would sug gest such a condition"
 What is this conditiong' asked Bax- ter anxiously.
 The bishop lowered his face so that he could see the curate over his glasses and replied:
 That the rector shall marry the owner of the church."
 Baxter caught his breath.
 ''I have made inquiry" the bishop continued, and have learned that the matter is bona tile offer"
 How old is the lady?" asked Baxter, unable to control his desire to know the truth.
 She Is described as a ~oman of not much over forty and we'll preserved. There is nothing very bad. so far as her age and physique are concerned, but
 But what?"
 'I have been given to understand that she is considered very queer. No one can foretell just what she is going to do."
 Quite likely. considering what she aas done in this case" remarked Bax- Ter, looking at a clock on the mantel and thinking of trains.
 But the bishop was not thinking of trains. He was thinking how he might put the case in a light that would be of ultimate advantage to a young man whose career promised to be brilliant. but who, he thought. should take advantage of any for tuitous circumstance that might arise. Resting his elbows on the arms of his chair and putting the tips of the fin gers of one hand against those of the other. he leaned back and proceeded:
 "The proposition is that the candi- date shall preach sermon on next Easter Sunday in the church. He will dine with the owner. thus making her If she is pleased with l him and his sermon and if he is | pleased with her the arrangement may be perfected If not the candidate k | at liberty to go his way, and the lady | will look for another. My advice. MT. | Baxter. Is for you to permit me to en- ter you as the candidate. If no ad- | comes to you directly one may | rome indirectly. If you acquit your self we'll 1t may lead to a call else where" This seemed reasonable to the cu- rate. He asked If the matter of the | condition would be kept secret and | was informed that his not mentioning | 1t was one of the requirements. After | having spent an hour with the bishop he gave his consent and took the next ]