Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1884-08-27
A AHIGH-TEMPEREDG GIRL.

"No, won'tw said Theodore Reed,
impetuously; 81 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.
Its 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, | 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. !
won't have him here"
"But, my dear Miss Reed"
I'm not your dear Miss Reed "
said Theodore, vehemently. "If | was,
you would try to spare ne little of all
this annoyance. Yes, know am the
minister's daughter, and as such, am
expected to have neither feelings OF
preference, nor sensibilities of any
kind. But Pm human. after all; and
l decline to keep perpetual free hotel
for every one who comes in this direc'
tion."
"Your predecessor. Miss Reed-'tht
lamented Mrs. Smiley-was never
averse to entertaining the saints" re
proachfully uttered the deacon. "Hel
door was ever open and her amiablt
hospitality"
"Oh, yes, l know" said Theodore
"And she died at forty. / intend tc
live great deal longer than that. Sht
was killed by sewing-societies anC
company, and Dorcas meetings. Iv'
had enough of that sort of thing, ant
| mean to stop. If the church-peopl'
wish papa to entertain all creation
they must raise his salary-thats ALL
"But, my good young friend"
At that moment, however, a third
person unexpectedly appeared upon th'
scene. The door between the parlo
and kitchen, which had, unperceivet
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, "pra.
assure this young lady that l will no
trespass upon her hospitality. Perhap
we had better go on to the next plac
at once"
There was something in his air ant
manner which caused the deacon t
shoot out of the kitchen like an arrOy
from the bow, and the next momen
Theodore was alone.
She colored and bit her lip.
"It's all true" she said, "every wor
of it. But I'm little sorry he hear
it. Perhaps he wasn't to blame, afte
all"
And Theodore went vigorously OIL
with the pear marmalade, until tn
old clock in the corner struck eleven
and then she poured out cup o
chocolate, and ran upstairs to he
fathers room.
Mr.. Reed was sitting before hi
study table, with his temples resting o
his hands, his elbows among the chao
of books and papers. Theo went t
his side at once, and laid her hand O
his head.
"Papa," she said, wistfully, sis you
neuralgia worse?"
Every much worse, Theo," he sale
lifting his paln-glazed eyes to her cage
questioning young face. 81 do not b'
lieve that l can preach tomorrow;
do not believe that can ever prepar
a sermon"
Theodore looked aghast.
"But papa" said she, "what can 20
doP Old DIR. Denton is out of towI
and"
my DEAR" said the poor clergyman
pressing his hands to his throbbin
temples, "you must send note to NJ
Hervey, and ask him to olliciate in m
place, as a special favor"
"Who is Mr.. HerveyY" asked The,
dora.