Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1884-10-17
A ErGE-TEMPERED GIRL.

NO, won |. silIu iHSO''''' ~>''
impctuously; 81 won't. | won't. so
there's an end of the matter"
TheodOra was busy making pear mar
malade, with Il pocket handkerchief ias-
tened. Beatrice Ccnci 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, nervous
" feeling OF his bristly chin.
ThcOdora was young and pretty, with
limpid hazel eyes, rings of brown hair
straying like floss silk over the temples,
and rosy lips.
Deacon Powers was elderly and wrink-
led, with an indescribablc sharpness in
his face, us if it had worn away IN con-
tact with the world.
dts getting to be IN imposition said
Thcolora, brusquely. "Last week we had
two tract distributors here, and week be-
fore that old DR.. DOddington and his wife
and three children stayed here five days,
so that it should be convenient for the
scmi-anmual convention. In fact, don't
remember Il single month without COM
pany 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 90 somewhere else. | won't
hayc him hcrc.'
"But, my dear Miss Reed"
'I'm not your dear Miss Reed" said
Theodore, vchcmently. "lf | was, you
would try to spare me little OF all the
annoyance. Yes, know am the minis
ter's daughter, and as such am expected to
have neither feelings or preference, nor
scnsiblities of any kind. But I'm human,
after all and decline to keep = perpet-
ual free hotel for every Que who comes in
this direction"
"Your predecessor, Miss Rccd-the la
mcntcd Mrs. Smilcy-was never avcrsc TO
entertaining the saints" reproachfully
uttered the deacon. "IIcr door was ever
open and her amiablc hospitality"
"Oh, yes, | know" said Theodore.
"And she died at forty. intend to live
n great deal longer than that. She was
killed by sewing societies and company,
and Dorcas meetings. I've had enough
of that sort of thing, and | mean to stop.
If the church-pcople wish papa to enter
tain all creation, they must raise his SAL
ary-that's ALL"
Enr INV OnpI Voun0 fripD1-p
At that moment, however, third per-
son unexpectedly appeared upon the
scene. The door between the parlor and
kitchen, which had, unperceivcd by Miss
Reed and Deacon Powers stood slightly
ajar, opcncd-a tall, frank-faced young
man stood there, with decided color on
his cheeks.
"Dcacon Powers" said he, "pray as
sure this young lady that | will not tres
pass upon her hospitality. Perhaps wc
had better go on to the next place ut once"
There was something in his air and
manner which caused the deacon to shoot
ont of the kitchen like an arrow from the
bow, and the next moment Theodore was
alone.
She cOlored and bit her lip.
''It's all true she said, "evcry word
of it. But I'm little sorry lie heard il.
Perhaps he wasn't to blame, after all"
And Thcodora went vigorously on with
the pear marmalade, until the old clock
in the corner struck eleven and then she
poured out cup of chocolate, and ran
upstairs to her fathers room.
Mr.. Reed was sitting before his study
table, with his temples resting OF 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, - lie said, lift
ing his pain-glazed eyes to her eager,
questioning face. 81 do not believe that
| can preach tomorrow; do not believe
that can ever prepare a sermon"
Tlleodora looked aghast.
s.But, papa" said she, t'what can you
Z 10. Oiu Ut. Dcl!toIl 10 ouS VI lONu,
and
"My dear" said the poor clergyman,
pressing his hands to his throbbing tenn
pies, ''you must send note to Mr.. Her
ycy, and ask him to oliiciate in my place,
as special favor"
"whoi. Mr. Hcrvey?" asked Theodore.
al don't know" sighed Mr.. Reel. Il
only know that lie was to be at Winfield
this week. Most probably he will 10 Al
I the Star hotel"
very we'll, papa" said Theodore,
feigning a checrfulness that sue was very
far from feeling 'Drink your chocolate
! now, there's a darling, and don'r fret
yourself the least bit in the world, aud |
will sec that all arrangements are made. f"
! SO she ran down stairs and set herself
TO thinking.
substitute must be found for the pull
pit, and here ii was twelve o'clock on
Saturday.