The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-12-26

tor"
Theodore was busy making psiir II iiSarlnsi.de u
with pocket-hsnderchief fastened Beatrice
Conci fashion, over her luxuriant brown tress.
go. hugo checked apron enxel1pins her trim
little figure, and sleeves rolled up above the
elbow.
Deacon Powers stood opposite, nsrvously
feeling Of his bristly chin.
Theodore was young and pretty, with linn
'pid hazel oycs, rings Of brown hair straying
like 1oss silk over her temples and rosy lipa
Deacon Powers was elderly and ~rinElsd With
an indcacribable sharpness in his face, g Il II
had worn away in contact with the world.
"Its getting to be an imposition" said Theo.
dora, brusquely. 'LAst week We had two tract
here, aud week before that old DR..
Doddington and his. wife and three children
stayed mere five days, 20 that II should be con.
venient for tho semi annual convention. II
fact I don't remember single month without
company since We lived at the parsonage And
VIC have no girl now, and pipa hts Tie Hsurai.
gia; 30 you must tell this young Clergyman t.
SO somewhere else, wont have him Gere!" :
"Bnt, my dear Miss Reed"
'Tm not your dear Miss Reed" said Theodors
vehemently III was, you would try ospart
am tho minister's daughter, and as such, am
expected to have neither feelings or preference
nor sensibilities Of any kind But I'm human
after ell; and decline TO keep perpetual fret
hotel for every one who ecmes In this direc.
"Your predeeess5r, Miss Recd-the lsuisuted
ndt exa
the saints, 'repruachfdllf Uttered the daacoh
"Her door was ever open and hef smiabls Hos.
pitality-"
"oh, yes, 1 know!" said Theodors. s.And
she died at forty. intend 10 live great a6al
longer than that She Was killed bs sewing.
Two had enough Of that sort Of thing md ]
mean to stop II the church. people, wish
papa to entertain all creation, they mnst rsise
his salary-thafs all
.'But my good yotipg friend"
At that moment, however; ! third person
unexpectedly SnSs ,Ppeased upon the scene. The
had, unperccived by Miss Reed and Deacor
Powers, stood slightly ajar, opened-a tall,
frank-faced young man stood there, with I
decided color on his cheeks.
deacon Powers" said he s'pray assure
this young lady thsti will moi trespsss Upon
her hospitality. porhaps, We had better 60 on
There was something in his air and manner
which caused the deacon to shoot out Of the
kitchen like an arrow from tho bow. and th(
next moment Theodore was slone
She colored and bit her lips.
"Its all true, !" she said, ''every word Of It
But I'm little sorry he heard it Perhaps he
wasn't to blame after ALL"
And Theodore went vigorously on with tho
pear marmalade, until the old clock in the cor
ner struck eleven; and then she poured out q
cup OF chocolate, and ran up stairs to heI
fathers room.
Mr.; Reed was sitting before his study table
with his temples resting on his hands, his ell
bows among the chaos Of books and papers.
Theo went to his side at once, and laid hel
hand OH his head
Papa she said wistfully, sis your neu.
ralgia worse!"
''vcry much worse, Theo," he said, lifting
ns . ,ot to ssys sT
prepare sermon"
Theodore looked aghast
''But, papa" said she "what can Won do,
Old DR. Denton 10 out Of town, and"
my dear, - said the poor clergyman, pres:
sing his hand 70 the tllrohbing temples. ''you
to ofticiate in my. place, ss special favor"
"Who is Mr. Hervey!" asked ThcotlorA
81 don't know only he was to be at Winfield
this week, Most probably he will be at the
Star hOtel.s
very well, papa. said Theodore, fsignins
cheorfulness that she was very far from feel:
darling, and don't fret yourself the least Bit n
the world, and will see that al arrangementa
are made"
30 she ran down stairs and Get herself ID
thinking,
A substitute must be found for the pulpit
and hero it was twelve o'clock on Saturdayf
Shn ot n anil, .
ing the dictionary more than once to make surs
of no errors, and carefully copying the whole
because of Q spattering little blot which fell.
as if .of malice aforesaid, directly across the
second line
DEAR Mr. HERvEY:-will you grant us the
great favor OF preaching in papa's place to-
morrow? He is very i'll of neuralgis, and il
unable even to prepare . sermon. We shall
be greatly obliged il you will dine with us TO-
morrow after church.
THHoDoRA REED.
And after satisfying herself that II WAS ill
quite right, she carried it herself to tho Star
hotel.
Mr.. Hervey was not in, hadn't been in sincs
But they would give him tie note directly on
his arrival; 30 Theodore hurried home again
and in tho course Of the afternoon, . little col
ored boy from the hotel brought card, on one
side OF which was engraved, Henry Hervey''
n.
with the greatest pleasure"
And the minister's daughter, con hospits-
BILE thought intent" roasted pair of chickens.
collected the ingredients for . salad, made {
peach-pie and bakeds loaf Of bread, which
was light and white ss sea foam
"l'll show him the country girls understsnd
good housekeeping" said Theo to herself
Mr.. Reed was not able to leave his sofs next
morning, SO Theo put on her pretty blue. and
wlite muslin dress and the gypsy hat with the
roses that became her delicate complexion 20
perfectly. and went to church. after first see.
ing that the table was all spread for the cold
dinner, and the coffee-po simmering on the
stove.
The church was full
Mr. Hervey was rising luminsry in the theo.
logical horizon, ond almost every one in Win
field had heard Of him, SO there was no lack Of
an audience.
But to Theodora's ineflable dismsy, the tall
Young man who walked so composedly out on
the platform was no other than the frank faced
personwhO had stood on her kitchen threshold,
only tho day before, and overheard her dis-
tribe on the subject of undesired guests,
Under the shadows of the roses she turned
rcdder still
said trantically to herself. II always knew it
would lead me into trouble! What must he
have thought"
And, as may be inferred, Theodora's devo-
tions-albcit, she vas in reality sweet, sin
cere little Christian-did not do her much good
this morning.
Mr.. Hervey came across into the parsonage
when the sermon was over, and held out hi
hand to blushing Theodore.
eve meet again, said he, with smile
thelp it," burst out Theodora, In des-
peration. II meant every word said, Mr..
Hervey; it was all true. But-but II didn't ap.
ply to you!"
II understand" /" he said, quietly. 81 was =
little nettled at the moment tor merely
wished for ? Temporary shelter while they
were refurnishing my room at the Star hotel.
But can easily SEQ, now that have thought
to matter over IN . now light thata minister .
family must be sadly pestered with volunteer
guests Pray think no more Of II, Miss Reed. !"
Aud he spoke 20 frankly and pleasantly that