The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1919-12-04
Cupid-and
a Call
(Copyright.)
BY EDITH MORGAN wlLLErr


luxurious drawing room.
Half past ten o'clock. ~Et.
He glanced obviously at the gilt
timepiece opposite. A trife early for
a morning visit. but he couldn't help
that. There was no, time TO lose. This
matter must be settled without delay.
and his letter written to the bishop and
of by the 8 80 train.
Dropping with satisfaction into a
deep. cool Morris chair. Mr.. Marble
congratulated himself resolutely on the
step he was about TO take.
II had been serious problem and
hard to decide. especially (as he &C.
knowledge6 for man of his whim-
steal. over-faStidious tastes. Even now
he realized keenly that there were
other women in the world-girls even.
good looking ones too! q reminiscent
blush overspread his carefully shaven
face)-but for charm, position, and
well. general attractiveness there his
eye strayed sppreciatively out OF the
window toward Conservatives and
well-kept lawns where many gardeners
pOttered about) there was no one in
Wheatley better fitted than Lydia Min
turn to adOrn-
At this point with some embarrass-
ment he rose to greet her.
II was especially anxious to see you
this morning." Mr.. Marble told his
hostess boldly after a tactful prologue
Of banalities. "There Is something ex-
ceedingly important / desire to COM
municate to you"
ITO me !" echoed Mrs. Minturn.
She looked at him with innocent, IL
lusive blue eyes and fingered her rings
pensively.
'What can Il be, wonder! Has
that wresched vestry been bothering
you again. or Is It the poor throat?
Do you know you're looking very
badly?" She leaned toward him
with pretty earnestness. "What you
want. my dear friend. IL rest-a COM
plete rest and changed"
Want It! OF course he did. but the
rector Of All Souls. being a subtle
student Of the other sex, walked deli
cately"-like Agog!
"Not much rest for me-" he ejaculat-
ed with tired smile. ''The bishop IL
seriously urging me to accept q call to
Shooting Rock. Arkansas"
And at her cry Of dismay-
eyes. it's good way Off" he said
grimly-"a lonely spot 20 miles from a
railroad track. A mission Of a thou
o~ud vv,Sror. that p,sx,n rayov folk a
civilizing or refining touch; pretty des-
perate characters. some of them, I'M
derstand. but Of course it's q splendid
field"
He paused as Mrs. Minturn laid a
white. restraining hand on his arm.
Don't say another word" she
begged. Its too awful! How can you
even talk Of going to that dreadful
place. You might think Of us!" There
was a touching catch in her voice.
"What would I-we-dO without you
at Wheatley? Oh. Mr.. Marble, say that
you won't gow
"There is only one consideration that
would induce me to remainl" said the
Rev. Ronald with decision.
His moment had come. and he seized
It with characteristic promptness; also
her unresisting hand. How soft 1t was,
and how her rings sparkled!
Lydia" he cried. putting the time
honOred question with striking origi-
nality, twill you be mine? Will you
make me the happiest of men"
Twelve o'clock struck. and Mr.. Mar
BILE rose, somewhat flushed and dis
hevelled from a kneeling posture.
'Then, it's irrevocable. and you won't
have me !" he queried blankly.
The fact. even now. seemed prepos-
ferrous, incredible.
Mrs. Minturn nodded and dabbed ,her
eyes with few square inches of
lace.
"It's not that wouldn't have -
she explained lucidly. Its =
Don't you see-can't You underA
that my poor husband wouldn't
liked 1t II he'd been alive. and is4
just the same now-that he's dead
gone-even more sO?" 49,
Mrs Minturn put out her hand. -
can be friends. at least, can't w.
she pleaded. "And you wnn't
awayr ,sff
The Rev. Ronald Marble turned
knob. "If I do" he said sternly.
because you have made it impose
for me to remaini Good morning
And the portiere swung to beg
him. E
The rector of All Souls foll0s14
Janet Noble into her cosy sitting re44
81 wanted especially to see you
morning." he said with real emotiQ4t
coming to a standstill by the fireplac
81 have Just received an importnnt|
call. and you ought to be the frs to
know it." .>fEs
"a call =" repeated Janet Noble ~
terestedly, as she took up some plqlH
sewing. ~
She was president of the womaht'
auxiliary, secretary of the parish no
society. and soprano OF the chustf
A.,n \, 1wA