Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1885-11-12


stow who took deeper interest in the
household affairs of the bereaved wild
over than Miss Anastasia Bowen. She
was, IL spite of the fact that youth had
LONG since left her. of a sentimental
turn of mind, and the pale, high-bred
face and gentle manners of Mr.. Brown
had inspired her with an intense admir-
alton for him, which, after the death of
his wife, ripened into an undisguised
attachment which was patent to every
one but the object of 1t. Not q chance
did the spinster lose of seeing her idol,
and scarcely day passed that she did
not run into the parsonage on one
excuse or another.
But the minister, absorbed in his
books and the memory of his dead
Laura, was utterly and sublimely un-
conscious of the passion he had in
spired. The idea of a second marriage
had never entered his mind. He never
even asked himself whether he liked
Miss Bowen or not, but SO constantly
did she press her advice respecting
every subject upon him that he grew to
depend upon her in great measure,
and often consulted her upon different
household and church matters, never
touching. however, in any manner
whatever upon the subject of matri-
mOny.
The fact that she was making no
Roadway in spite of her tireless efforts.
in spite of the attentions she lavished
upon the two little girls, at last dawned
upon Miss Anastasia, and she set her.
self to work to discover the reason.
She came to the conclusion after care
full review of the ground, that MIR.
Brown was too comfortable by far.
Miss Piper attended most assiduously to
his creature comforts, and the sec: ETY.
of his children prevented any feeling of
great loneliness.
Ale wouldn't hold out month if he
was left utterly alone,' meditated the
ambitious lady. IF he had no one to
see after him or to talk to, he'd be apt
TO think of me. There's no one else
he'd turn to. He's one of the kind to
take what comes nearest and is most
convenient"
In which last conclusion Miss Anas-
tasia was quite right, as my story will
prove.
She decided that no time was to be
lost, and that it was best to begin OPP
erations at once. So, after carefully
mapping out course of action, she
repaired to the parsonage and asked
boldly to see Mr.. Brown privately.
Miss Piper. meek and humble as
usual. exhibited no surprise at the re-
quest, but made haste to show the visitor
at once into the minister's study, where
he sat reading at his desk.
The intention of "having talk" on
some important subject was written
plainly on her hard, lean face, and MI.
Brown laid down his book at once and
prepared to listen to whatever she had
come TO say.
81 hope I'm not disturbing you, Mr..
Brown. began Miss Anastasia, with a
little nervous cough, as she took a seat.
She felt quite agitated, and an unwonted
color frightened her sallow cheek. Her
mission was so important, so much hung
upon its success, that it was not strange
she was not quite as calm as usual.
mo, oh no." answered Mr. Brown,
with a faint sigh, as he glanced at his
beloved book. IL am always glad to
have you come. l hope there is nothing
wrong?' anxiously.
The truth is, Mr.. Brown, I've come
to see you about the girls. They are
not managed as well as l could wish.
Miss Piper is good woman, but she
can't have the authority a--a- mother
would have, you know, and she lets
them do about as they please, and they
are growing up rude and wild"
MIR. Brown looked startled. 1t did
not occur to him TO question Miss Anas-
tasia's statements. He took them in
good faith always, being simple enough
to believe her to have his interests at
heart.
"Why, you were the one who recon-
mended Miss Piper to me" he said at
length, land l have been well satisfied
with her"
''She does the best she knows how"
said Miss Anastasia, ''but she hasn't
sufficient authority to govern them
properly. All, poor little creatures,
they need the care of mother"
This was a bold stroke. A flush rose
to the minister's high, pale brow, but
he gave no other sign of emotion. Any
reference to his dead wife pained him,
even now that she had lain in her grave
two years, but of course he did not
say so.
'You are very kind to take such an
interest,"" he murmured, little indis-
tinctly. What would you adviser"
Il would advise their being sent to
school, Mr.. Brown. have a
friend who keeps very select seminary
ut Woodstock. She would be delighted
to take charge of Flora and Annie, 1
am sure"
Il should not like to part with them,"
said Mr.. Brown med .tatively. ''And-
and-what would become of Miss Piper?
wouldn't like to hurt her feelings, and
she loves the girls dearly"
"There'd be no cause for her to feel
hurt. Tell her simply that force of cir
compels you to dismiss her.
A months notice will be sufficient.
1t will be very unpleasant" said
the minister in trepidation. land
where will she 60? She has no home
but this, and not a relative in the
She must find another situation"
said Miss Ansstasia. "She can begin at
once to look for one. You can tel her
of the contemplated change this even
ing" and, after promising to write at
once to the principal of the seminary
at Woodstock. Miss Anastasia left
home in state of bliss bor-
dering on ecstacy. She felt sure that
she had put in the first wedge that
would lift her toward a home in the
parsonage, and already began to plan
the changes she would make in its ar.
But a shadow had been thrown over
tT. Browns peaceful life. His soul