Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-12-26
A NIGu.TEMPERED GIRL.


ously; II won't!:so there's an end Of the mat
teri
Theodore was busy making pear marmalade
with a pocket handkerchief fastened Beatrice
Cenci fashion, over her luxuriant brown tress-
e. a huge checked apron cnveloping her trim
little figure, and sleeves rolled up above the
elbow.
Deacon Powers stood opposite, nervously
feeling Of his bristly chin.
Theodore was young and pretty, with linn
pid hazel eyes, rings OF brown hair straying
like floss silk over her temples and rosy lips.
Deacon Powers was elderly and wrinkled Will
an indescrlbsble sharpness in his face, as if it
had worn away in contact with tho world.
cts getting to be an imposition" said Theo-
dora, brusquely. Last week we had two tract
distributors here, and week before that old DR..
DoddinSton and his wife and three children
stayed mere five days, so that it should be con-
venient for the seni-annl convention. In
fact, don't remember a single month without
company since we lived at the parsonage And
we have no girl now and papa has tho neural
gia; SO you must tell this young clergyman to
l.
'tBut, my dear Miss Reed
:'rnl not your dear Miss Reed' said Theodore,
vchemently. eff was, you would try to spare
me a little Of all this annoyance. Yes, l know
I am the minister's daughter, and as such, am
expected to have neither feelings or preference,
after all; and l decline to keep a perpetual free
hotel for every ono who comes in this uirec-
ton" g.
'sYour predecessor, Miss Reed-the lamented
Mrs. Snliley---was never averse to entertaining
the saints, 'reproacheully uttered the deacon,
Her door was ever open and her amiable hos
pitality--"
ooh, yes, + know" said Theodore "And
she died at forty Iintcnd to live great deal
longer than that She was killed by sewing
societies and company, and Dorcan meetings
I've had enough of that sort Of thing, and I
moan 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, u third person
unexpectedly appeared upon the scene The
door between the .parlor and kitchen, which
Powers, stood slightly ajar, opened-a tall,
frank-faced young man stood there, with a
decided color on his checks.
deacon Powers" said he, spray assure
this young lady thatI will no, trespass upon
her hospitality. Perhaps we had better go on
10 tn6 utAt pluCo dG OuCo
There was something in his air and manner
which caused the deacon to shoot out of the
kitchen like an arrow from the bow, md the
next moment Theodore was alone.
She colored and bit her lips.
'It's all truo,' 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 the
pear marma]ade, until the old clock in the cor
ner struck eleven; and then she poured out a
cup of chocolate, and ran up stairs to her
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 10 his side at once, and laid her
hand on his lead.
"Papa," she said wistfully, sis your nou-
ralgia worse?"
every much worse, Theo'' he said, lifting
his pain glazed eyes to her eager, questioning
young face. 81 do not believe that can ever
prepare 8 sermon"
Theodore looked aghast
'But, papa," said she 'swhat can yon do?
Old Dr. Denton Is ont of town, and"
''My DEAR" said the poor clergyman, pres
sing his hand to the throbbiny temples, ''you
to oficiato in my place, as special favor"
"Nho is Mr.. Hervey?" asked Theodore.
81 don't know only he was to be at Winfield
this week. Most probably he will be at the
Star hotel"
every well, papa" said Theodore, feigning
= cheerfulness that she was very far from feel
ing. s'Drink your chocolate now, there's a
darling, and don't fret yourself the least bit in
the world, and I will see that all arrangements
are made"
So she ran down stairs and set herself to
thinking,
A substitute must be found for the pulpit,
and here it was twelve o'clock on Saturday!
SJ,n RI oyoO x-rHf1a Ia
ing the dictionary more than once to make sure
of no errors, and carefully copying the whole,
because of a spattering little blot which fell,
as if ''of malice aforesaid" directly across the
second line
DEAR Mr.. HEnvE1::-Will You grant us the
morrow? He is very i'll of neuralgia, and is
unable even to prepare sermon. We shall
bs 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 herself to the Star
!! hotel
Mr. Hervey was not in, hadn't been in since
But they would give him the note directly on
his arrival: go Theodore hurried home again
and in the course of the afternoon little COL
ored boy from the hotel broughta card, on one
side Of which was engraved, Henry. Hervey"
with the greatest pleasure"
And the minister's daughter, son hospita-
BILE thought intent" roasteda pair Of chickens,
collected the ingredients for salad, made 8
peach pie and baheda loaf of bread, which
was light and white as sea foam.
tsIll show him the country girls understand
good housekeeping" said Theo to herself.
Mr.. Reed was not able to leave his sofa next
morning, so Theo put on her pretty blue and
white muslin dress and the gypsy hat with the
roses that became her delicate complexion SO
perfectly, and went to church. after fret see-
ing. that the table was all spread for the cold
dinner, and the coffee-pot sirnmering on the
stove
The church was full
Mr.. Hcrvey was rising lnminary in the theo-
logical horizon, ond almost every one in Win
fieid had heard of him, 30 there was no lack of
an audience - ,-t
But to Theodora's ineffable dismay, the tall
young man who walked 90 composedly out On
the platform was no other than the frank faced
personwho had stood on her kitchen threshold,
only the day before, and overheard her dia-
tribe on the subject of undesired guests
Under the shadows Of the roses she turned
redder still
ooh, my toEgue-my unlucky tongue!" she
said frantically to herself 81 always knew it
would lead me into trouble! What must he
have thought" Il I'LL 49,
And, as may be inferred, Theodora's dsvo-
tlOns-albeIt, She was IN reality sweet, SIN
cere little Christian-did not do her much good
this morning. 80
Dir. Hervey came across into the parsonage
when the sermon was over, and held out his
hand to blushing Theodore. / ~
ssWe meet again, said he, with smile.
ssI can't help it," burst out Theodore, in des-
peration 81 meant every word said, Mr..
Harvey; it was all true. But--but it didn't ap-
ply to you r. S s.5% -
tai understand, = be said, quietly 81 was a
little nettled at the moment, for I merely
wished for temporary shelter while they
we're refurnishing my room at the Star hotel.
But / can easily see, now that have thought
the matter over IN new light, that 1ninisters
family must be sadly pestered with volunteer
! guests Pray think no more of it, Miss Reed.
And he spoke SO frankly an pleasantly that