Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-11-12

But shadow had been thrown owe,
Mr.. Browns peaceful life. His SOU
was filled with despair unutterable al
| the thought of that conversation he
| must have with Miss Piper. The mere
possibility of her shedding tears made
shudder run through his frame. He
could not make up his mind to speak
to her, and day after day passed, until
it lacked only two weeks of the time
when the seminary was to open. Then
at last he spoke.
He came into the sitting room, where
she sat darning his socks by the light
of student lamp, the girls having
gone to bed. She looked up in sur.
prise as he entered, for he seldom lef,
his study until midnight; but not the
faintest intuition had She of the blow
which was to fall upon her.
''Miss Piper" began the poor man,
feeling profoundly wretched. IL
have decided to make a change"
"A change" The sock Miss Pipe,
was darning fell from her hand. She
began to tremble, and her face turned
deadly pale.
Eyes Miss Anastasia thinks-and
of course-l-it is all for the best YOU
know-Flora and Annie ought to 90 to
school," faltereG the minister.
land you wish to give me notice,
suppose. SIR" said the little governess,
in tremulous, aggrieved tone. that
stabbed Mr. Brown to the heart
''When do you wish me to leave, sir?'
looking at him with a guivering smile.
"Oh, any time; suit yourself-your
own convenience" stammered Mr..
Brown.
do you want me to get the girls
ready, sir??" she asked, trying to speak
cheerfully.
If you will he so good" he an
swered. Her quiet resignation made
him utterly wretched He would rath-
er have seen her hysterical or indignant
thousand times over.
IL viii see TO it, sir"
And he then left the room, feeling
like criminal But as he reached the
study, he happened to think that Flora
and Annie were yet to be told of the
impending change. He would go back
and ask the little governess to tell them
for him, for he was sure of open re-
bellion.
He pushed open the door of the sit
ting-room again, but started back con-
science stricken. for Miss Piper, with
her face buried in her arms. was kneel-
ing by the sofa, while melancholy
sound of sobbing and crying, pitiful to
hear, filled the room.
My dear Miss Piper" he said, for
lornly, am so sorry"
She started up, and tried to wipe
away her tears with the sock which she
still held.
Excuse me, sir" she faltered, 81
couldn't help it. I am so fond of the
girls, you know, and I'd begun to feel
SO much at home here"
Mr.: Brown walked up and down the
room. with his hands clasped behind
him and his head on his breast, for sew
eral moments without speaking. The
sobs in the poor little woman's voice
struck him to the heart. He was turn
ing nor out of her only home. And she
had done her duty toward the girls.
certainly.
Suppose you stay here. Miss Piper"
he said. suddenly. you can keep
house for ME. anyhow"
A deep flush dyed the pale face of
the little governess.
'Oh no, l couldn't, indeed" she
cried. in y horror-stricken tone at
would be impossible"
You might-stay rs my wife Miss
Piper" cried poor Mr. Brown, desper-
ately.
"Oh, Mr.. Brown. you don't mean it!
You're just sorry for me. I'm sure"
cried Miss Piper, the thought flashing
through her mind, however. that per-
haps it aoas love, and not pity, after all,
and he had only just discovered the
state of his heart as he was about to
lose her. She had read of such things
in novels. Why should it not be 50 in
her case as well9
'i-I-dont know-it is the only
way you can stay" stammered MI.
Brown, in confused manner.
''Well. if you think it best" MUIR
INJURED the blushing little governess.
I'm sure I'll try to make you happy"
81 don't doubt that said Mr..
Brown.
And thus it was that the minister's
second marriage came about.
Ineed hardly say that Miss Anastasia
was furious. No words could adequate
" describe her surprise and chagr.n.
The very course she had taken with
view to installing herself in the parson-
age had installed Miss Piper there. All
her plans had come to naught. Her
castles in the air had fallen to the
ground with crash. Her visits to the
parsonage ceased entirely. She no
longer considered it necessary to adj
wise and counsel Mr.. Brown.
The minister never found cause to re-
greet his second marriage. The little
governess proved a devoted, dutiful
wife and faithful step-mother. and she
never dreamed on what slender thread
her happiness had hung, nor could
imagine why it was that Miss Anastas:a
Bowen treated her as q mortal enemy.
s Monthly.