Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1885-10-26

Reed. impetuously; 81 won't
won't so there's an end of the mat
ter"
Theodore was busy making pear
marmalade, with pocket-handker-
chief fastened, Beatrice Cenci fash
ion, over her luxuriant brown tresses,
a huge checked apron enveloping her
trim little figure, and sleeves rolled
up above her elbow.
Deacon Powers stood opposite, uer-
vously feeling of his bristly chin.
Theodore was young and pretty,
with limpid, hazel eyes, rings of
brown hair straying like floss silk
over her temples, and rosy lips.
Deacon Powers was elderly and
wrinkled, with an indescribable sharp
ness in his face, as if it had worn
away in contact 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 Mr..
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 single month with
out company since we have lived at
the parsonage, and we have no girl
now and papa has the neuralgia, so
you must tell this young clergyman
to 90 somewhere else. / won't have
him here y
"But, my dear Miss Reed :"
s.I'm not your dear Miss Reed.
said Theodore vehemently. eff [
were, you would try to spare me
little of this annoyance. Yes, know
I am the minister's daughter, and as
such am expected to have neither
feelings nor preference nor sensibili-
ties of any kind. But Pm human,
after all, and decline to keep per-
petual free hotel for every one who
comes in this direction"
sYour predecessor, Miss Reed
the lamented Mrs. Smiley-was nev-
er averse to entertaining the saints, +"
reproachfully uttered the deacon.
''Her door was ever open, and her
amiable hospitality
"Oh, yes, l know" said Theodo-
IA, "and she died at forty. intend
to live a great deal longer than that.
She was killed by societies and COM
pany and Dorcas meetings. I've had
enough of that sort of thing, and
mean to stop. If the church people
wish papa to entertain all creation,
| they must raise his salary-that's
alp
I "But, my good friend
1 At this moment, however, third
person unexpectedly appeared upon
the scene The door between the
parlor and kitchen, which had, un-
perceived by Miss Reed and Deacon
Powers. stood lightly ajar, opened
tall, frank-faced young man stood
there, with a decided color on his
cheeks.
"Deacon Powers" said be, ''pray
assure this young lady that | will
not trespass upon her hospitality.
Perhaps we had better 90 on to the
next place at once"
There was something in his air and
manner which caused the deacon to
shoot out of the kitchen like an ar
row from the bow, and the next mo-
ment Theodore was alone.
She colored and bit her lip.
cts all true" she said, "every
word of it. But I'm little sorry he
heard it. Perhaps he wasn't to blame
after ALL.
And Theodore went vigorously on
with the pear marmalade, until the
clock in the corner struck eleven !;
and then she poured out cup of
chocolate and ran upstairs to her
fathers room.
Mr.. Reed stood before his study
table, 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," she said wistfully, sis
your neuralgia worse?
every much worse, Theo," he said,
lifting his pain-glazed eyes to her ca
ger, questioning young face. 81
do not believe can preach to-mor-
row; l do not believe I can ever pre-
pare sermon
Theodore looked aghast.
'But, papa, what can you do?
Old DR.. Denton is out of town,
and"
''My DEAR said the poor clergy
man, pressing his hands to his throb-
bing temples, ''you must send note
to Mr.. Hervey, and ask him to offici-
ate in my place as special favor. :"
"Who is Mr.. Hervey?" asked The
odora.
II don't know" sighed Mr.. Reed.
81 only know that he is to be at
Windfeld this week. Most proba-
bly, he will be at the Star Hotel.''
every we'll, papa" said Theodore,
feigning cheerfulness that she was
very far from feeling. 'sDrink your
chocolate now. There's a darling,
and don't fret yourself the least bit
in the world, and | will see that all
arrangements are made"