THE STORYTELLER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 130, 23 May 1908, Page 3

THE STORYTELLER.

WltHObX IMPEDIMENT

One warm spring night Jonathan Briggs balanced his accounts and took stock, and the results were satisfactory. "Sow," he said to himself, "I will go home and get Dorothy/' The daring, the bravado of the words shocked him into silence, lie drew a small leather case from his pocket and took from it a white tissue-paper parcel. Ills fingers, big and rough and awkward a« they were about many things, were deft in the untangling of the ribbo'i which held this package together, because of the practice which makes perfect. He laid the open paper before him on his desk and gazed earnestly at the faded blossom which it h.ul con tained, and as he gazed he slipped bad; two years into the pant. "It was the first time she ever touched me," he remenilwrcil, "and -!ie pinned those on my coat. W ha: is it that get* into a mail's heart and makes him afraid of a girl? 1 stood there like a stick. Xobody ele€ was in the room—and she was near! Near! iiven the curls of her hair moved as 1 breathed. And what did 1 say* ' I»n t it almost time we were startin" out!' Kool! 1 did it! But it was all 1 could think of to gay. 1 never coull tiuuk of the right thing even when ' lie thought at various other times •when he had tome close to the boundary and almost set foot in the promised land. Ho thought of how often tho.-e words of confession and entreaty hud trembled upon his lips and almost" broken forth in spite of his fear. He de•pised- himself; he reviled himself; he tilled himself coward; once he had said j to Dorothy: "1 am a craven—abject coward." JUld she had said—oh, the flash of her eyes as she said it!—"lt's no such thing! iou arc the bravest wb I know." Jonathan pulled himself together with determination. "I will go home and get Dorothv!" le repeated. And he went the next day

"Home" was a dear, quaint little village, tucked aivay in the bill-. It had calmly stepped out ul the way y lion the march of progress swept l>y; it clung to the past and the old nay ot doing things; it was a matter of pride that hero was one little untrammelled •pot where a, man could live the identt- . cil life hu father had lived before him. Jonathan had scofted and ridiculed the old-faahioned style, but he found a certain delicious flavour about it now. The absence of paved streets and electri-: tramcars, t« forced dependence fur . news upon your neighbour and the weekly paper, the post oiliee in thj Ettle shop, the simple social life of teas and concerts, the grey stone church, covered with ivy, cool, forbiddiufr stern, and yet bo thoroughly founded in righteousness—all these were restful after his seurry- and rush in London, and its light lor a footing among its business men. He did not exactly want to give up the rush for the quiet, but it was a good place to come to—for Dorothy. He found thai girl iu the lane that went by her fathers house. Ah, me! It was just the same Dorothy—the saiiw

merry, dimpling girl, with the clear brown eyes and the yellow curls that danced with the wind. And the man, watching the eyes and the hair, and drinking in the life and colour before him, turned traitor to his purpose and spoke of commonplaces. They talked of his health and of hers, and he said: "How's yonr mother?" He told her of his work; of his new friends and his Mw hopes; of everything except the new house which was waiting for her owning. And she told him who had been married and who had died; there were two homes down on the main

street—did he know that one belonged to Silas Martin! And wasn't it queer! tsftllie Joneg had run away somewhere, and they said she had gone on the stage! One by ono she called up all his old friend* before him, and gave their 'history since he had been gone. If *he had ever read between the lines of his letters—if she had the slightest suspicion as to his reason for coming home, nothing betrayed it. Evidently Jonathan's faint heart had not won this fair lady, bhe must be stormed to surrender. "She's nothing but a slip of a girl!" M)d*Jonathan bravely, on the seconl morning. "And look at me! lam as three of her!" He held himself proudly for as much as half a smile. And then, because he caught sight of a pink gown on the road before him, he dwindled suddenly toto pygmy. "A mite of a girl!" lie bad been mistaken. Dorothy tilled the ■world—and yet how daintily! lie waited for her to come nearer, pitiably cuuscious of all his awkward inches and ungainliness. When she came they talked about the weather. So it was every time he met her. Never a day dawned but he resolved that it should be the day of his confes-

cion. Never a night came but he reViled the cowardice that kept him silent. jHia time «u limited, and fast slipping ,*way; something must be done, and 'done speedily. So the desperate -Jonathan decided on heroic nieaeures. Sunday came—or "the Sabbath " rather. Jonathan went to church early "and sat near the back, lie was strange "]y perturbed and anxious; but he found 'unspeakable soothing in the quaint old sanctuary. The woodwork was white, deep-tinted to ivory; the great high pulpit in the front was delicately carved and embellished; the great high pews with doors seemed to «hut out the curi-

ous and keep hold of all that made for peace. Dorothy's pew was across the aisle and three in front of the one where

he ttt. That spoke for contentment. Bat Dorothy was not there. The Jlurrays were late. And Jonathan 10-t his 'hold of the jov of life, while sorrow

(tared him in tin? face. Sorrow and all her sisters—dismay and chagrin and anxiety—sat in tli.' peat with Jonathan. Presently, after the reading of the first lesson, the Jlurravs tame in. The door Of the pew closed after them, bat aboro the top of the door Jonathan caught a glimpse of one fair check with tendrils of bright hair. He clung to that glimpse and for'jgot his seat companion*, lie was thinking—of other things. Then the minister began: " I publish the banns"' —and a *tir of eager interest 'ran through the congregation. Jonathan saw Dorothy lean forward with that warm sympathy with which a 'young girl always greet* tueli an announcement. lie watched tliat fail' cheek with the closest attention, and the minister went on witli the notirc. '■ j publish the IwuilV between Jonathan Briggs awl Dorothy Murray, of this parish. If any of you know cause or just impediment why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, ye are to declare it. This is fiie first time of asking." . • The sudden colour flashed red into tlitf cheek Jonathan was watching. He fully expected Dorothy to jump up and declare impediment, but she ga*e no sign, fihe was the perfect picture of modest, prospective, embarrassed ''ride, and Jonathan's heart glowed within him. After the service he walked I""-"'* 1 her. ll"f CTO„ wore .l'Wlir..-t Wf cliceU' weri- '-rim-on. 1 " r " r "' tl ""' i-ime be luid known li'-v. Dorothy w.istricki n dumb. Suddenly lie broke the silence between them: " \V.n that all right, Dorothy! She walked on a few steps before slio answered. Then she smiled up at Jiim and -aid: "I think so, Jonathan.