The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-24
Select sMisqsHanv.
A High-Tempered Girl.


an end of the matter"
Theodore was busy making pear mar
malade, with pocket-handkerchief fast
ened, Beatrice Cenci fashion, over her
luxuriant brown tresses, huge, checked
apron enveloping her trim little figure,
and sleeves rolled up above the elbow.
Deacon Powers stood opposite, ner-
vously feeling of his bristly chin.
Theodore was young and pretty, with
limpid, hs eel eyes, rings Of brown hair
strayiDg like floss silk over her temples,
and rosy lips.
Deacon Powers was elderly and wriDk-
led, with an indescribable sharpness in
his face, as if it had worn away in con-
tact with the world.
"It's getting to be an imposition" said
Theodore brusquely. "Last week we
had two tract distributors here, and week
before that old Mr.. Doddington and his
wife and three children stayed here five
days, so that il should be convenient for
the semi-anDual convention. In fact |
don't remember single month without
company since we have lived at the par
sonage. And we have no girl now, and
papa has the neuralgia; 80 you must tell
this young clergyman to 60 somewhere
else. won't have him herel"
"But, my dear Miss Reed"
"Tm not your dear Miss Reed" said
Theodore vehemently. If 1 was, you
would try to spare me little of all this
annoyance. Yes, know am the min.
lister daughter, and as such, am expected
to have neither feelings nor preference nor
sensibilities of any kind. But Pm human
after all; and l decline to keep perpet-
ual free hotel for every one who comes in
this direction
"Your predecessor, Miss Reed-the ls-
mented Mrs. Smiley-wss never averse to
entertaining the saints" reproachfully
uttered the deacon. d" Her door was ever
open, and her amiable hospitality"
"Oh, yes, 1 know said Theodore.
"And she died at forty. intend to live
a great deal longer than that. She was
killed by sewing societies and company
and Dorcas meetings. I've had enough
of that sort of thing, and mean to stop.
If the church.people wish papa to enter
tain all creation, they must raise his
salary-that's all /"
"But, my good young friend"
| At that moment, however, third per-
son unexpectedly appeared upon the
scene. The door between the psrlor and
kitchen, which had, unperceived by Miss
Reed and Deacon Powers, stood slightly
ajar, opened-a tall, frank-faced young
man stood there, with decided color on
his cheeks.
"Deacon Powers," said he, "prsy assure
this young lady that will not trespasc
upon her hospitality. Perhaps we had
better go on to the next place at once"
There was something in his air and
manner which caused the deacon to shoot
out of the kitchen like an arrow from the
bow, and the next moment Theodore was
alone.
She colored and bit her lip.
ats all true" she said" every word Of
it. But I'm q little sorry he heard it
Perhaps he wasn't to blame after ALL"
And Theodore went vigorously on with
the pear marmalade, until the old clocf
in the corner struck eleven; and then she
poured out cup of chocolate aud ran NJ
stairs to her fathers room.
MIR. Reed was sitting before his stud.
table, his temples resting on his hands
his elbows among the chaos of books anC
papers. Theo went to his side at onc'
and laid her hand on his head.
"Papa," she said wistfully, els you
neuralgia worse?"
Every much worse, Theo," he said
lifting his pain.glszed eyes to her eager
questioning young face. Il do not be
heve that can preach tomorrow d.
not believe that l can ever prepare
Sermon"
Theodore looked sghast.
"But papa" said she, "what can yol
"My DEAR" said the poor clergyman
pres sing his hands TO his throbbing tenn
Piles, "you must send note to Mr.. Her
vey, and ask him to officiate in my place
as special favor"
"Who is Mr.. Hervey ?" asked Thee
dora.
al don't know" sighed Mr.. Reed.
only know that he is to be at Windfielt
this week. Most probably he will be a
the Star Hotel"
every we'll, papa, said Theodore, feigr
ing cheerfulness that she was very ia
from feeling. "Drink your chocolate now
there's darling, and don't fret yoursel
the least bit in the world, and | will Sc
that all arrangements are made"
So she ran down stairs and set hersel
to thinking.
A substitute must be found for the pul
pit, and here it was twelve O'Clock OF
Saturday
She sat down and wrote little note
consulting the dictionary more than one
to make sure of no errors, and CAREFUL
copying the whole, because of spattel
ing little blot which fell, as if "of malic
sforethought," directly across the secon
line.
Dear Mr.. HerUty viii you grant us tn
great favor Of preaching in papa's place tC
morrow He is very i'll Of neuralgia and
: unable even to prepare sermon. We sha
be greatly obliged if you will dine with us tC
morrow after church. THEODORE REFB."
And after satisfying herself that it wa
all quite right, she carried it herself t
the Star Hotel.
; Mr.. Hervey was not in, hadn't been i
since morning.
But they would give him the note d
rectly on his arrival 80 Theodore hurrie
: home again, and in the course of the aftel
noon little colored boy from the hott
! brought card, on one side of which wa
engraved, Henry Hervey," while upo
the other was written the words, wit
the greatest pleasure"
= And the minister's daughter, " on hos
, pitable thought intent" roasted pair c
chickens. collected the Ingredients for