The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-11-06

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 ministers study, where
he sal reading at his desk.
The intention of having talk on
some important subject was written
plainly on her hard, lean face, and Mr..
Brown laid down his book at once and
prepared to listen to whatever she had
come to say.
4 hope | I'm not disturbing you, Mr..
Brown. began Miss Anastasia with a
little nervous cough, as she took 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.
'No, 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 | could wish.
Miss Piper is a 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
Mr.. 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, 'and | have been we'll 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 a mother"
This was 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 panied 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 a
boarding school, Mr. Brown. have q
friend who keeps very select seminary
at Woodstock. She would be delighted
to take charge of Flora and Annie,
am sure
" | should not like to part with them, y
said Mr., Brown med tatiyely. '.And
and-what would become of Miss Piper?
wouldn't like to hurt her feelings, and
she loves the girls dearly
q" There'd be no. cause for her to feel
hurt. Tell her simply that forceof cir
cumstances compels you to dismiss her.
A month notice will be sufficient
"lt win be very unpleasant" said
the minister in trepidation. ssAnd
where will she gop She has no home
but this, and not relative in the
world"
6 She must find another situation, -
SAID Miss Anastasia. "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 as
once to the principal of the seminary
at Woodstock, Miss Anastasia left
walking home in a state of bliss bor-
derng on ecstacy. She felt sure that
she had put in the first wedge that
would lift her toward home lin the
parsonage, and already began to plan
the changes she would make in it's ar
rangement.
But shadow had been thrown over
Mr. Browns peaceful life. His soul
was filled with despair unutterable at
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 left
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, Ill
have decided to make change
"A changed The sock Mss Piper
was darning fell from her hand. She
began to tremble, and her face turned
deadly pale.
YES. Miss Anastasia thinks-and
of course-l-it is all for the best YOU
know-Flora and Annie ought to 90 to
school, faltered the minister.
And you wish to give me notice, |
suppose, sir, said the little governess,
In a tremulous, aggrieved tone, that
stabbed Mr.. Brown to-, the heart.
when clio you wish me to leave, sir?n
looking at. him with a quivering 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
{" Ii you will be so good" he an
sWereds Her quiet resignation made
him utterly wretched &Ie would rath-
er have seen her hysterical or indignant
a thousand times over. l
g | 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 90 back
end ask the little governess to tell them
for him, for he was sure of open re-
bellion.
lie pushed open the door of the sit
ting-room again, but started back COZ
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, CT
couldna help il. am so fond of the
girls, you know, and I'd begun to feel
so much at home here. y
Mr. Brown walked up and down the