The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1919-10-24
Cupiid-and
a Call
r.
(Copyright.)
By EDITH MORGAN wlLLErr


the hall to remove his clerical hat and
smooth the ruffied auburn hair beneath
It; then he pushed back the portiere
and briskly entered Mrs. Minturn's
luxurious drawing room.
Half past ten o'clock.
He glanced obviously at the gilt
timepiece opposite. A trif1e 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
off by the 8 80 train.
Dropping with satisfaction into a
deep, cool Morris chair, Mr.. Marble
congratulated himself resolutely on the
sstep he was about to take.
1t had been a serious problem and
hard to decide, especially Gas he &C
kn6wledgeO 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! "a reminiscent
blush overspread his carefully shaven
face)-but for charm. position, and
well, general attractiveness (here his
eye strayed appreciatively 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 tactful prologue
of banalities. "There is something ex-
ceedingly important desire to COM
municate to you"
"To I" echoed Mrs. Minturn.
She looked at him with innocent, IL
lusive blue eyes and fingered her rings
pensively.
"What can 1t be, wonder! Has
that wretched vestry been bothering
you again, or is 1t the poor throat?
Do you know you're looking very
badly?" She leaned toward him
with pretty earnestness. "What you
want, my dear friend, is rest-a COM
plete rest and change"
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 met" he ejaculat-
ed with a tired smile. "The bishop is
seriously urging me to accept call to
Shooting Rock, Arkansas"
And at her cry of dismay-
eyes, it's a good way Off" he said
grimly-"a lonely spot 20 miles from
railroad track. A mission of thou
sand miners that have never felt
civilizing or refining touch; pretty des-
perate characters, some of them, I'M
derstand, but of course it's a splendid
field"
He paused as Mrs Minturn laid
white, restraining hand on his arm.
"Don't say another word" she
begged. 'It's too awful How can you
even talk of going to that dreadful
place. You might think of u.s." 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 go"
"There is only one consideration that
would induce me to remain!" said the
Rev. Ronald with decision.
His moment had come, and he seized
1t with characteristic promptness also
her unresisting hand. How soft it was,
on6 hour hnr r.in oyyl aH
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
sble rose, somewhat flushed and dis
hevelled from a kneeling posture.
"Then it's irrevocable, and you won't
have met" he queried blankly.
The fact, even now, seemed prepos-
ferrous, incredible.
Mrs. Minturn nodded and dabbed her
eyes with few square inches of real
lace.
''It's not that wouldn't have your"
she explained lucidly. ats Jack |!
Don't you see-can't you understand
that my poor husband wouldn't have
liked it if he'd been alive, and isn't it
just the same now-that he's dead and
gone-even more sol"
Mrs. Minturn put out her hand. "We
can be friends, at least, can't We"
she pleaded. "And you won't. go
awayT
The Rev. Ronald Marble turned the
knob. IF I do" he said sternly, at is
because you have made it impossible
for me to remain! Good morning.
And the portiere swung to behind
him..
The rector of All Souls followed
Janet Noble into her cosy sitting room.
81 wanted especially to see you this
morning." he said with real emotion,
coming to standstill by the fireplace.
81 have just received an important
call, and you ought to be the first to
know it."
"a call !" repeated Janet Noble in
terestedly, as she took up some plain
sewing.
She was president of the woman's
auxiliary, secretary of the parish aid
society, and soprano of the church
choir, besides being tall, handsome
girl with bright brown eyes and vivid
color.
"Yes," Mr.. Marble returned with en-
thusiasm, 81 am called to Shooting
Rock, Arkansas-a beautiful, lonely
spot 20 miles from a railroad track.
"Oh, it would be glorious !" she in
terrupted him eagerly.