Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-11-20

world, and I will see that all arrange
ments are made.
She ran down stairs and set herself
to thinking.
A substitute must be found for the
morrow's pulpit, and here it was twelve
o'clock on Saturday.
She sat down and wrote little note,
consulting the dictionary more than
once, to make sure of no errors, and
carefully copying the whole, because of
a scattering 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 tomorrow He is very i'll of
neuralgia, and is unable even to pre-
pare sermon. We shall be greatly
obliged if you will dine with us to-
morrow after church.
THEODORE REED"
And after satisfying herself that it
was all quite right, she carried it her
self to the Star Hotel.
Mr.. Hervey was not in hadn't been
in since morning.
But they would give him the note
directly on his arrival so Theodore
hurried home again, and in the course
of the afternoon a little colored boy
from the hotel brought card, on one
side of which was engraved, Henry
Hervey," while upon the other was
written the words, with the greatest
pleasure
And the ministers. daughter "on
hospitable thought intent roasted a
pair of chickens, and collected the in
gradients for a salad, made a peach
pie, and baked loaf Of bread, which
was light and white as sea foam.
'Ill show him that the country girl
understands good housekeeping, said
Theo. to herself.
Mr.. Reed was not able to leave his
sofa the next morning, so Theo, put on
her pretty blue and white muslin dress
and the gypsey hat with the roses that
became her delicate complexion so per-
fectly, and went into the church, after
first seeing that the table was already
spread for the cold dinner, and the cof-
fee pot simmering on the stove.
The church was full.
Mr.. Hervey was rising luminary
in the theological horizon. and almost
every one in Winfield had heard Of
him, go that there was no lack of an
audience
But to Theodora's ineffable dismay,
the tall young man who walked so COM
posedly out on the platform was no
other than the frank faced person who
had stood on her kitchen threshold,
only the day before, and overheard her
diatribe on the subject Of undesired
guests.
Under the shadow of the roses, she
turned redder still.
Oh, my tongue-my unlucky
tongue 7 she said, frantically to her
self. 4 always knew it would lead me
into troublc What must he have
thought:
And, as may be inferred, Theodora's
devotions albeit, she was in reality a
sweet, sincere little Christian-did not
do her much good that morning.
Mr.. Hervey came adross into the
parlor when the sermon was over, and
held out his hand to blushing Theo-
dora.
we meet again. said he, with a
smile.
4 can't help 1t, burst out Theodore,
in desperation. Il meant every word
said, Mr.. Hervey; it was all true. But
1T didn't apply to you"
understand he said, quietly. q
was q little nettled at the moment, for
merely wished for temporary shel
ter while they were refurnishing my
room at the Star Hotel. But | can
easily see; now that l have thought the
matter over in new light, that min
ister's family must be sadly pestered
with volunteer guests. Pray thii.k no
more Of it, Miss Reed And he spoke
so frankly and pleasantly that Theo.
became quite at her ease, while he
carved the chicken, and she prepared
the crisp lettice and the limpid oil for
the salad.
He was taken up to Mr.. Reeds sick
room after dinner. and had a pleasant
chat with HIM before the afternoon
services
You have done me great favor,
sir, said the elder Clergyman, when at
length he parted from his guest. And
wa shonld esteem a privilege my lit