Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-04-10
Gales aud Sketfhes.
A RIGH.fENPERED GIRL.

4
| Theodore was busy making pear mar
malade. with a pocket-handkerchief fas-
tened Beatrice Cenci fashion, over her
| luxuriant brown tresses, huge, checked
apron enveloping her trim little figure,
and sleeves rolled up above the elbow.
| Deacon Powers stood opposite, ner-
vously feeling OF his bristly chin.
! Theodore was young and pretty, with
straying like floss silk over her temples.
and rosy lips.
| Deacon Powers was elderly and
wrinkled. with an Undesirable sharpness
! in his face. as il it had worn away, in con-
tact with the world.
! "It's getting to be an imposition" said
Theodore, brusquely. Last week we
/ had two tract distributors here, and week
before that old Doctor Doddington and his
wife and three children stayed here five
days, so that it should be convenient for
the semi annual convention. In fact, /
don't remember a single month without
company since we have lived at the par
sonage. And we have no girl now, and
papa has the neuralgia; so you must tell
this young clergyman to go somewhere
else. won't have him here p
but nv dear Miss Reed"
"l'm not your dear Miss Reed" said
Theodore vehemently. "lf | was, you
would try to spare me little of this an
noyance. Yes, know l am the minis
ter's daughter. and rs such, am expected
to have neither feelings nor preference,
nor sensbilities of any kind. But I'm
human, her all and decline to keep a
perpetual free hotel for every one who
comes in this direction"
Your predecessor, Miss Rand-the la
mented Mrs. Smiley-was never averse to
entertaining the saints" reproachtullv
uttered the deacon. Her door was ever
open and her amiable hospitality"
"Oh. yes, | knowr' said Theodore.
land she died at forty. intend to live a
great deal longer than that. She was killed
| by sewing societies and company, and
Dorcas meetings. I've had enough of
that sort OF thing. and mean to stop. If
these church people wish papa to enter
! tain all creation. they must raise his sala-
ry-that's ALL
But, my good young friend"
| At that moment, however, a third per-
son unexpectedly appeared upon the scene.
| The door between the parlor and kitchen,
which had, unperceved by Miss Reed and
Deacon Powers, stood slightly ajar, open
ed-a tall, franked-iaced young man stood
there. with decided color on his cheeks.
Deacon Powers" said he, "pray as
sure this Young lady that will not tres.
pass upon her hospitality. Perhaps we
had better go on to the next place ut
once"
There was something in his air and
| ;ok ~ 81
ont of the kitchen like an arrow from the
bow, and the next moment Theodore was
alone.
She colored and bit her lip.
Its all true" she said, ''every word
of it. But i'm a little sorry he heard it,
Perhaps he wasn't to blame, after all"
And Theodore went vigorously on with
the pear marmalade. until the old clock in
the corner struck eleven and then she
poured out a cup of chocolate. and ran up
stairs to her fathers room.
| Mr.. Reed was sitting before his study
table, with his temples resting on his
hands, his elbows among the chaos of
books and papers. Theo went to his side
at once. and laid her hand on his head.
Papa" said she, wisttully, lis your
neuralgia worse?"
Very much worse, Theo." he said,
lifting his pain-glazed eyes to her eager,
questioning young face. II do not believe
that | can preach tomorrow; do not
believe that can ever prepare a sermon .
Theodore looked aghast
| But. papa" said she, "what can you
do? Old DR.. Denton is out of town,
and"
MY dear" said the poor clergyman,
pressing his hands to his throbbing tenn
piles, you must send note to Mr. Her.
vey. and ask him to officiate in my place,
as a special favor"
"Who is Mr.. Herveyp" asked Theodo.
| ra.
II don't know" sighed Mr.. Reed II
only know that he was to be at Wndfeld
this week. Most probably he will be at
the Star Hotel"
Very we'll. papa" said Theodore.
feigning cheerfullness which she was
very far from feeling. Drink your
don't fret Yourself the least bit in the
world. and will see that all arrange
men!s are made"
to thinking.
| "A SUBSTITUTE must De lbunu I0r the pull
pit, 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 little
scattering which fell as if "of 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 ill of neu
ralga and Is unable even to prepare
sermon. We shall be greatly obliged il
YOU will dine with US morrow after
church. THEODORE REED.
And after satisfying herself that it wa:
all quite right, she carried it herself to the
Star Hotel.
Mr.. Hervey was not in. hadn't been in
since morning.
But they would give him the note d.
rectly on his arrival; so Theodore hurried
home again. and in the course of the af
ternoon, little colored boy from the no