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

felgnlnB q cneerlulneSS Iha1 sho We"
very far from feeling. "Drink your
chocolate now, there's darling, and
don't fret yourself the least bit in the
world, and will see that all arrange
ments are made"
So she ran down stairs and set her.
self to thinking.
A substitute must be found for the
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 scattering little blot which fell, as
if "cf 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 prepare sermon. We shall
be greatly obliged if you will dine with
us tomorrow after church.
THEODORE REED.
And after satisfying herself that 1t
was all quite right, she carried it her
self to the Star hotel.
Mr.. IIervey was not in, hadn't been
in since morning
But they would give him the note
directly on his arrival; SO Theodore
hIrried home again, and in the course
of the afternoon, little colored boy
from the hotel brought card, on one
side of which was engraved, Henry
IIervey," while upon the other was
written the words, "with the greatest
pleasure"
And the minister's daughter, ION
hospitable thol git intent roasted
pair of chickens, collected the ingredi-
ents for a salad, made a peach-pie and
baked a loaf of bread, which was light
and white as sea-foam.
"I'll show him that the country girls
understand 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 gypsy hat with the roses that
became her delicate complexion so per-
fectly, and went to church, after first
seeing that the table was all spread for
the cold dinner, and the coffee-pot SIM
mering on the stove.
TT. j church was full.
Mr.. Hervey was rising luminary in
the theological horizon, and almost
every one in Windfeld had heard of
him, so there was no lack of an audi
ence.
But to Theodora's ineffable dismay,
the tall young man who walked so
composedly 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
tonguep' she said, frantically, to her
self. ~ always knew it would lead me
into troubled What must he have
thought?"
And as may be inferred, Theodoras
devotions-a albeit, she was in reality a
sweet, sincere little christian did not
do her much good that morning.
Mr.. Hervey came across into the par
sonage when the sermon was over, and
held out his hand to blushing Theodore.
1--WE meet again." said he, with a
smile.
81 can't help It," burst out Theodore,
in desperation. II meant every word
said Mr.. Hervey; it was all true. But
but it didn't apply to you"
81 understand" he said, quietly. 81
was little nettled at the moment, fol
| merely wished for temporary shel.
ter while they were refurnishing my
room at the Star hotel. But | car
easily see, now that l have thought the
matter over in u new light, that &
minister family must be sadly pestered
with volunteer guests. Pray think nc
more of it, Miss Reed"
And he spoke so frankly and pleas
antly that Theo became quite at hel
ease, while he carved the chicken, and
she prepared the crisp lettuce ant
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 ser
, vice.
"You have done me great favor
, sir" said the elder clergyman, when a
length he parted from his guest. "Ant
VIC should esteem it privilege-m.
little girl and I-if you would make /
your home at the parsonage during
your stay in town. Should we not
Theo?"
Theodore hung down her head, ant
turned pink to the very roots of he
| hair.
, "Yes," she said, almost inaudibly
"Only--I am ashamed to say SO. Oh
papa," hiding her face on his shoulder
al have behaved so badly! l neve
should have taken it for granted tina
Mr.. Hervey was like the restl'
And then, infinitely to Mr.. Hervey'
, amusement, she told the whole story o