The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1884-08-28
A AHIGH-TEMPEREDGI GIRL.

l. -
"No, won'tw said Theodore Reed.
impetuously; II won't! won't! so
there's an end of the matter"
Theodore was busy making pear
marmalade, with a pocket-handkerchief
fastened, Beatrice Cenci fashion, over
her luxuriant brown tresses, a 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, hazel eyes. rings of brown
hair straying like floss silk over her
temples, and rosy lips.
Deacon Powers was elderly aud
wrinkled, with an indescribable sharp
ness in his face, as if it had worn away
in contact with the world.
1t's getting to be an imposition, !"
said Theodore, brusquely. Last week
we had two tract distributors here,
and week before that old DR.. Dodding-
ton and his wife, and three children
stayed here five days, so that it should
be convenient for the semi.annual con-
vention. In fact, l don't remember a
single month without company since
we have lived at the parsonage. And
we have no girl now, and papa has the
neuralgia; so you must tell this young
clergyman to go somewhere else. l
won't have him herep'
"But, my dear Miss Reed"
"I'm not your dear Miss Reed I"
said Theodore, vehemently. "If was,
you would try to spare me a little of all
this annoyance. Yes, know am the
minister's daughter, and as such, am
expected to have neither feelings or
preference, nor sensibilities of any
kind. But Pm human. after all; and
I decline to keep perpetual free hotel
for every one who comes in this direc-
ton"
"Your predecessor. Miss Reed--.the
lamented Mrs. Smiley-was never
averse to entertaining the saints" re-
proachfully uttered the deacon. "Her
door was ever open and her amiable
hospitality"
"Oh, yes, I know" said Theodore
"And she died at forty. 1 intend to
live great deal longer than that. She
was killed by sewing-societies and
company, and Dorcas meetings. I've
bad enough of that sort of thing, and
| mean to stop. If the church-people
wish papa to entertain all creation
they must raise his salary-that's all. ;"
"But, my good young friend"
At that moment, however, third
person Unexpectedly appeared upon the
scene. The door between the parlor
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, "pray
assure this young lady that l will not
trespass upon her hospitality. Perhaps
we had better 60 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.
"1ts all true" she said, "every word
of 1T. But I'm 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 clock in the corner struck eleven /:
and then she poured out a cup Of
chocolate, and ran upstairs to her
fathers room.
Mr.. Reed was sitting before his
study table, with his temples resting on
his hands, his elbows among the chaos
of books and papers. Theo went to
his side at once, and laid her hand on
his head.
"Papa," she said, wistfully, "is your
neuralgia worse?"
Every much worse, Theo," he said,
lifting his pain-glazed eyes to her eager,
questioning young face. Il do not be-
lieve that 1 can preach tomorrow; l
do not believe that 1 can ever prepare
a sermon"
Theodore looked aghast.
"But, papa" said she, "what can you
dop Old DR.. Denton is out of town,
and"
my DEAR said the poor clergyman,
pressing his hands TO his throbbing
temples, "you must send note to Mr..
Hervey, and ask him to officiate Z -
place, as special favor"
"Who is Mr. Heryey?' asked Thee
dora
Il don't know" sighed IT. Reed.