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Show EASTER mmm Tjav ETV. HILTON Davis entered his yjj study after having eaten a j.k lonesome Easter breakfast t J n1 tnrew himself Into a big chair by the window for a few momenta of quiet before beginning his strenuous day. He heaved l sigh aa be glanced at the empty chair on the opposite aide empty save for the mind picture the young miniate was wont to draw on occasions when the j world would seem well lost for tbe possession of one particular woman Iiut that woman bad not, as yet, appeared ap-peared upon the ecclesiastical heart-stone heart-stone of Rev. Mr. Davis. There were many fair parishioners who would gladly have been that fortunate maid; their Inclinations, however, were restricted to the gifts which constantly found their way to the rectory. Tbe wide couch In the rector's study was a heterogeneous collection of sofa pillows; the walls were lined with biblical subjects, evidently evi-dently considered the only art appropriate ap-propriate for ministerial eyes. Rev Mr. Deris had been tbe recipent of eighteen pairs of slippers and three bouse coats. In bis turn, he sought diligently .among his flock for the girl who might do; she apparently aunned herself her-self In another fold, for she certainly did not thrive In his pasture. The choir, which weekly occupied four seats facing the pulpit, gave forth to tbe little church such quar tet muslo as It felt equal to. It was comprised entirely of village talent Jlmmle Langhorn, the tenor, considered consid-ered the world and all Its machinations machina-tions a Joke; If the soprano felt a Jolt In her side when sustaining a high O It waa nothing more nor less than Jlmmle's elbow prodding ber along. Tbe contralto was a small maiden to whom the tenor made love during the darkheae of the sermon; the bass singer waa also the choir master. ; Tbe soprano, a young matron, and ijimmte Langhorn were fast friends, and many a plot against ministerial bacheiordom waa batched between them. It seemed to them a shame that so good-looking a minister should remain a bachelor. So It happened that as Rev. Mr. Davis bemoaned the singleness of his own state and others bemoaned It for him, the god of love entered his study. Ilia buxom housekeeper was the liter al bearer, and she offered It to blm as a package, labeled and wrapped In much tissue paper. Upon being unswathed un-swathed the Easter gift proved to be a small marble statue of Cupid. "And which of your lambs Is It this timer she asked .with motherly Interest In-terest and noticing surprlso on the rector's face. Tbe minister read the card: "From the soprano, Easter greetings.' "And her a married woman!" sniffed Mrs. Mallory. "It's a wonder some of them don't offer themselves Heaved a Sigh aa He Glanced at the Cmpty Chair. aa housekeepers I She made her nit with high scorn for the susceptible eeg of which she waa aa humble mem-bar. mem-bar. "It certainly seems odd," reflected Rev. Mr. Davis, caatlng a quizzical glance at the small god of lore. "I had not suspected Mrs. Vade of a secret attachment for me but you represent a subtle hint of some kind." He smiled. Ha called up Mrs. Wade. No; ahe had not sent It Her voice, over the "phone. Bounded mora or leaa Indignant Indig-nant at the idea. Rev. Mr. Darts prepared for his Easter service and dismissed the thought of tbe mysterious gift Tbe door loading to the chancel faced tbe choir. As the minister eo-tered. eo-tered. his eyes Fined a moment and met those of a girl who occupied the soprano's usual place In the choir. I and for a moment he bad apprehen- I slons. Waa It possible that the Easter music, after all the careful prepara- Itkra. waa to b sung by the substitute - stranger 7 Where was fra. Wads But as the service progressed the minister realised that his fears were groundless. And that waa not all-he all-he was keenly conscious of the presence pres-ence of the new soprano. After service, while be stood shaking shak-ing hands with bis departing parishioners, parish-ioners, according to his usual custom, he anticipated with unusual pleasure his meeting with the girl who bad so graciously assisted the choir. He wss snxious to congratulate ber and thank her. "Doctor Davis," said the voice of Jlmmle Langhorn at his side, "I want to present you to this sister of mine Muriel, our rector, Doctor Davis." be said turning to the girl. "She cried to be allowed to sing In our choir, so we bad to let her. Mrs. Wade hat a cold, you know, and was glad of an opportunity to be excused. Sis, here, has Just returned from Germany and was anxious to try her wings." Jlmmle Jlm-mle Langhorn Joked even with th minister. Muriel cast an Indignant glance al her brother as ber band met that ol tbe minister "It isn't so. Doctor Davis," she said with mounting color, for the young minister's gray eyes had not once left her face. "He and Mrs. 'Wade made dir threats until I consented " "For which they deserve a gold medal," affirmed the dominie. "Don't!" exclaimed Jlmmle "She is conceited enough now, between ber voice and her collection of statuary!" "Statuary!" Inquired the minister. "Then perhaps I can thank you. Mist "Yes," Returned ths Girl. Langhorn, for the dainty bit I received re-ceived this morning?" Jlmmle became suddenly interested In the arrangement of the muslo for the evening service. "I'm sorry," laughed Muriel, "but I happen not to be the guilty party." "Some one sent me Easter greet Ings In the form of a little marble god of love; and I have already Insulted In-sulted Mrs. Wade by accusing her of sending it" "And met An absolute stranger I like that!" Muriel spoke with some asperity and ber manner, the min-kater min-kater noted, waa much like her brother's. broth-er's. "Oh, please. Miss Langhorn," begged the minister contritely. "I'm really awfully sorry." "Well I'll think about It" She cast blm one glance and turned to Jlmmle. "Come, brother mine, or w won't get any dinner." She turned again to Doctor Davis, "Can't you take dinner with usf "Under the condition that you will all come and eat cold turkey with me after the service tonight I bave a housekeeper who must be appeased." Since Muriel expected to be In Lee only a month before going to the city to start a concert csreer. Rev, Dr. Davis lost no time In laying siege to her heart The minister's decisive chin denoted that when be knew what he wanted he went straight for It. Luckily, tbey lived In a healthy, cheerful community where calls upon the world-weary weie not necesaary and the dominie robbed no one In tbe time devoted to courting. Since it was neartng tbe end of the opera season, sea-son, be took Muriel frequently to that realm of wonderful music. When she sang at concerts In the city, he waa always there to escort her home and carry her floral tributes. trib-utes. These flowers Invariably lent their sweetness to some humble dwelling In tbe village. "Isn't It wonderful to be blessed with the por to help our fellow men?" Rev. Mr. Davis voiced this sentiment one evening as they walked home through the lanes after having called to see old Mrs. Gabel, who didn't get to church often on account of the distance. Muriel had sung some of tbe familiar old hymns for ber until the dear old soul had wept from sheer happiness. "Tea." returned the girl with tears not far from ber own eyes. "I bars' wondered lately If all the applause of a great, clapping audience will ever bring me one-tenth of tbe Joy that the tears In M-s. Gabel'a eyes brought?" She looked out over the broad country. "Anyway, I shall often of-ten look out over the footlights and see not a swarm of faces but this!" Muriels gesture swept In the starry heavens, the moonlit road and the great arch of trees. Suddenly the dominie turned and took her la his arms. "Ton are not going on any stag! It would Uke you too far from me. Tou may do all the concert work all the church singing you like but always I will come for you when night falls. Voir Brother Jim sent me tbe god of love and I am going to bold on to It! What do you think about It dear?" "Evidently I am not to be allowtd to think," murmured Muriel, but with finality In her resignation. (Covmtht mt. br tn M-ciur Kr-llr Kr-llr gj-a4lcuj |