The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1884-09-24

frank-faced person who had stood on her
kitchen threshold, only the day before,
and overheard her diatribe on the sub.
ject of undesired guests.
Under the shadow of the roses she
turned redder still.
"Oh, my tongue-my unlucky tongue !"
she said, frantically, to herself. 81 always
knew it would lead me into trouble
What must he have thought ?"
Aud, 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.
MIR. Hervey came across into the parson-
age when the sermon was over, and held
out his hand to blushing Theodore.
ave meet again." said he, with smile.
" can't help it," burst out Theodore,
in desperation. 81 meant every word |
said, Mr.. Hervey; it was all true. But
but it didn't apply to you p
81 understand" he said, quietly. ar
was a little nettled at the moment,
for | merely wished for a temporary
shelter while they were refurnishing my
room at the Star Hotel But l can easily
see, now that | have thought the matter
over in new light, that minister's
family must be sadly pestered with vol
unteer guests. Pray think 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 lettuce and limpid oil
for the salad.
He was taken up to Mr.. Reeds sick
room after dinner, and had pleasant
chat with him before the afternoon service.
"You have done me a great favor, SIR"
said the elder clergyman, when at length
he parted from his guest. "And we
should esteem it privilege-my little
girl and I-if you would make it your
home at the parsonage during your stay
in town. Should we not Theo 2"
Theodore hung down her head and
turned pink to the very roots of her hair.
eyes," she said, almost inaudibly.
"Only-l am ashamed to say SO. oh,
papa hiding her face on his shoulder,
al have behaved SO badly 1 never
should have taken it for granted that
MIR. Hervey was like the rest"
And then, infinitely to Mr.. Hervey's
amusement, she told the whole interview
with Deacon Powers.
Mr. Reed smiled, as he stroked Theo's
head.
"My little girl is only little girl" said
he, "and sometimes forgets that the
tongue is an unruly member. But she
will improve as she grows older"
Mr. Hervey spent the summer at Wind
field. He was revising the proof-sheets
of theological volume, and liked the
quiet and seclusion of the little village.
Perhaps, too, he liked something else
about it. At all events, although he did
not make the parsonage his home, he
spent great deal of his time there.
"Theo," he said one day-they had be-
come fast friends by this time" you
have tasted so many of the petty trials
and annoyances of being a minister's
daughter that wonder if you would ever
consent to be minister's wife 2"
"Well," said Theo, half laughing, half
blushing, cit would depend a good deal
upon who the minister was.''
"Suppose it was Henry Hervey?'
"Do you really mean it ?" said Theo,
suddenly growing grave.
at is strange, isn't it ?" said he, "that
l should lose my heart to such little ter.
magant as you proved yourself the first
day ever saw you But it is foregone
conclusion-Ia am entirely at your mercy"
And Theo placed her hand in his with
a lovely look of awe and happiness, and
answered:
al will I"
Deacon Powers could not comprehend
it at all.
IF he marries such high.tempered
girl, as that" said the deacon, "he does
it at his peril Why, I never was so be-
rated in my life as was that day at the
parsonage"
"But, pa" said the deacon's daughter,
"every woman finds her master soon or
late. Now think Theodore Reed has
found hers. "-Helen Forest Graves.