Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-11-12

quest, Dut mndo haste 10 snow tno VlSltor
at once into the minister's study, whore
he sat 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.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Mr..
Brown. began Miss Anastssia, with a
little nervous cough, rs she took q. 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 IL was not strange
she was not quite as calm as usual.
"No, oh no." answered Mr. Brown,
with faint sigh, as he glanced at his
beloved book. 81 am always glad to
have you come. hope there is nothing
wrongP" 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 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 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 n mother" b"
This was bold stroke. A flush rose
70 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, a little indis-
tinctly. "What would you adviser"
Il would advise their being sent to a
6oarding-school, Mr.. Brown. have a
friend who keeps a very select seminary
at Woodstock. She would be delighted
to take charge of Flora and Annie, 1
am sure"
should not like to part with them, ="
said Mr.. Brown med tatiN ely. "And-
and-what would become Of Miss PiperP
l 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
cumstances compels you to dismiss her.
A months notice win be sufficient"
" II will be very unpleasant" said
the minister in trepidaton. "And
where viii she 60? She has no home
but this, and not a relative in the
world"
as She must find another situation, ="
said Miss Anastasia. "Sde 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,
walking home in a state of bliss bor-
dering on ecstacy. She felt sure that
she had put in the first wedge that
would lift Ler toward a home in the
parsonage. and already began to plan
the changes she would make In its ar
rangement
But a shadow had been thrown over
MIR. 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
a 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 a 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 a change"
"A changer' The sock Mss Piper
was darnlng 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 yoI
know-Flora and Annie ought to 90 &C
school, faltered the minister.
And you wish 10 give me notice.
suppose, sir," said the little goyerness
in tremulous, aggrieyed tone. tha
stabbed Mr.. Brown TO the heart
"When do you wish me to leave, sir?'
looking at him with quiyering smile
"Ob, any time; suit yourself-you
owD convenience" stammered Mr.
Brown.
Do you want me TO get tho girl
ready. sir?" she asked, trying to speal
cheerfully.
"lf you will he so good" he an
swered. Her quiet resignation mad
him utterly wretched. He would rath
er have seen her hysterical or indignan
thousoad times over.
81 viii see TO il. sir"
And he then left the room, feolinl
Ike a criminal. But as he reached th
study, he happened TO think that Flor
and Annie were yet to be told of tn
impending change He would go bac
ana ask The little governesS 10 tell ther
for him, for he was sure of open re
bellion.
He pushed open the door OF the sill
ting-room again, but started back cor
science stricken, for Miss Piper, wit
her face buried in her arms, was knee
ing by the sofa, while a melanchol
sound OF sobbing and crying, pitiful I
hear. filled the room.
MY dear Miss Piper" he said. 70
lornly, ! am SO sorry"
She started up, and tried to wip
away her tears with the sock which sh
still held
Excuse me, sir, she faltered, al
| couldn't help IL am so fond Of tn
girls, you know, and I'd begun 10 fec
so much at home here"
Mr. Brown walked up and down tn
room, with his hands clasped benin,
him and his head on his breast. for sew
araI moments nQfihonf anaatfnor I'll