Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1919-10-28

sunlight on her hair, the inspiration
in her eyesl
There is only one consideration that
would induce me to CO." said the Rev.
Ronald with decision.
Janet" he cried, will you be mine7
VIII you make me the happiest Of
men7"
The words pouring from his lips had
a strangely familiar sound, and, alas,
1t was with strangely familiar pang
that Mr.. Marble listened to her answer
When it was all over and he had de-
jectedly picked up his hat for the sec
| ond time that morning Janet walked
with him to the gate he had opened sc
hopefully half-hour ago.
I'm so sorry" she faltered, as he
fingered in spite of himself at the
wicket. 81 wish I could help you with
that great work. There was a ring Of
genuine missionary regret in her voice.
"You must see for yourself how impos
sible 1t is"
Poor Mr.. Marble. looking at her,
could not see 1t at all.
''Then, there's no hope for me-" he
asked gloomily.
sTm afraid not, as far as I'm con
cerned," she responded. "But there's
always hope! Mightn't there be some
one else. Mr.. Marble-some other
woman better fitted for your"
The rector of All Souls only gave her
scorchingly reproachful glance and
turned away without word.
As he bent his lonely steps towards
his boarding house, Mr.. Marble became
aware of other steps. feminine ones.
| approaching behind. and 2 furttve
glance around showed him Miss Cor
nelia Wylde, his district visitor and
devoted aid, in close pursuit
| whats the matter?" she painted,
overtaking the flying cleric just as he
reached the corner. "You seem to be
in great hurry!"
Mr.. Marble turned and faced her
with a dazed smile
81 am" he said. then quite involun.
tarily: There's a letter to the bishop
that ought to he written and off by the
8 80 train. | wanted especially to see
you this morning" With establishment
he heard himself utter this last state
| ment The well-known formula had
rushed unbidden to his lips, and help
lessly. parrot-like. he floundered on
''Pve just received an important call
to Shooting Rock, Arkansas and you
ought to be the first to know it J"
| Miss Wylde's glance of pleased in
| terrogation only added to poor Mr.
Marbles confusion.
"Well what are you going to do
about it?" she inquired practically.
"Dol" calculated the Rev. Ronald
and with the recollection of the morn
ing's wrongs hard upon him he gave
an impressible groan. what on earth
do you expect man to do, with never
a woman to help him !"
Afterwards, when he was quite calm
again, Mr.. Marble saw clearly just how
she had taken it--that innocent little
speech of his-but in the blackness OF
| the moment all he could realize was
that Miss Cornelia Wylde had taker
l him, "for better for worse" and entire
ly without his own consent.
It was long after luncheon time that
the Rev. Ronald turned his steps al
last towards his boarding-house-en
gagged, he told himself blankly. to 8
lady he had never for moment con
templated in matrimonial light.
This was the result of his morning
Crimson waves of modification
horror. and actual dread surged III
into his high cheek-bones at the though
of it all.
He, the rector of All Souls, Offered
himself to three women in as man!
hours!
1t was scandalous, objectionable. II
any other mani What would Wheatle!
say when it heard. as it must soon O.
its tickle, frivolous rector?
What would they think of him. thos'
two whom he had wooed so ardently II
ouick uccession-sweet Mrs. Minturi
and Janet Noble? His heart smot'
him. How he had pleaded with them
Then upon his sombre meditation
"Mr. Marblew broke in a voice III
knew, and, raising his head, the hor
rified rector beheld at his very elbow
Janet's mother-an exceedingly larg'
mountaineering towards him with cor
daily outstretched hands.
Involuntarily he shrank from he
beaming face What did IT mean? Mrs
Mobiles next words enlightened hin
only only too well.
81 just had to stop youI" she wa
saving warmly "You do look so blu
and downhearted, Mr.. Marble. Girl
viii be girls you know" Here he
voice sank TO a confidential whisper
as with elephantine subtlety.
sI think she suggested. 'it's JUS
possible that If you happened to drol
in this evening Janet might be glad {
see youl"
The rector of All Souls underwear
no surprise at the sight of the daint
note he found in his room five minute
later.
.My dear Ronald" il began. an
even that lnwonted opening left hir
without emotion He was past all tina
now.
81 have been thinking earnestly owe
our talk this morning. After all. =
Won say. my duty is to the living. no
the dead. Can't you come in and Sc
me this evening? I shall he wait'n
for YOU in the balcony about dusk
Yours ever.
LYDIA
That afternoon at $50 a'telegrar
was despatched 70 the bishop of y.
4 which the Rev. Ronald Marble az
cepted unreservedly and with enthus
assn the call to Shooting Rock, Ark.
| He went alone.
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