The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1885-01-02
4 H%ICN.TEMPERED GIRL.

n llVll.l LNlI EnLU VlllL,
mo, l won't!" said Theodore Reed, impetu-
ously; II won't! 30 there's an end of the mat
ter"
Theodore was busy making pear marmalade
with a pocket-handerchief fastened Beatrice
Ccnci fashion, over her luxuriant brown trcss-
es, a huge checked apron enveloping her trim
little figure, and sleeves rolled up above the
elbow.
Deacon Powers stood opposite, nervously
feeling of his bristly chin.
Theodore was young and pretty, with linn
pid 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 sharpness in his face, as if it
had worn way in contact with tie world.
sits getting to be an imposition" said Theo-
dora, brusquely. last week we hpd two tract
distributors here, and week before that old DIR.
D~oddington and his wife and three children
stayed mere five days, 80 that it should be con-
venient for the semi annual convention. In
fact, don't remember a single month without
company since we lived at the parsonage. And
we have no girl now, and papa has the neural
gia; so you must'tell this young clergyman to
so else, l wont have him here!!"
But, my dear Miss Reed
"Imnotyour dear Miss Reed said Theodore,
v~ehemently. eff ! was, you would try to spare
me a little of all this annoyance. Yes, l know
l am the minister's daughter, and as such, am
expected TO have neither feelings or preference,
nor sensibilities of any kind. But Tn human,
after all; and l decline to keep a perpetual freq
hotel for every one who comes in this dlrec-
ton"
'sYour predecessor, Miss Reed-thel amented
Mrs. Smiley-was never averse to entertaining
the saints, , reproachfully uttered the deacon.
Her door was ever open and her amiable hos
pitality-'
longer than that She was killed By sewing
societies and company, and Dorcas meetings.
I've had enough of that sort Of thing, and I
mean to stop. If the church people wish
papa to entertain all creation, they must raise
his salary-thats all"
AT that moment, however, q third person
unexpectedly appeared upon the scene. The
door between the parior and kitchen, which
had, unperceived by Miss Reed aud Deacon
Powers, stood slightly ajar, opened-a tall,
decided color on his cheeks.
deacon Powers" said he, 'tpray assure
this young lady thatI will not trespass upon
her hospitality. Perhaps We had better go 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 arrow from the bow, and the
next moment Theodore was alone.
She colored and bit her lips.
'sIt's 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 IN with the
pear marmalade, until the old clock in the cor
ner 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 ell
bows among the chaos of books and papers.
Theo went to his side at once, and laid her
hand on his head.
s'Papa," she said wistfully, ssis YOUR neu-
ralgia worse?"
Every much worse, Theo,' he said, lifting
his pain-Slazed eyes to her eager, questioning
young face. 81 do not believe that / can ever
prepare a sermon"
Theodore looked aghast.
"But, papa" said she. awhat can you do?
Old DR.. Denton IL out of town, and"
"My DEAR SAID the poor clergyman, pres
sing his hand to the throbbing temples, ''you
must send a note to Mr.. Hervey. and ask him
to ~of1iciate in my place, as a special favor
"Who is Mr.. Heryey?" asked Theodore
81 don't know only he was to be at Winfield
this week Most probably he will be at the
Star hotels
Very well, papa" said Theodore, feigning
. cheerfulness that she was very far from feel
ing. sDrink your chocolate now, there's q
darling, and don't fret yourself the least bit in
the world, and l will see that all arrangements
are made"
So she ran down stairs and set herself to
thinking,
A substitute must be found for the pulpit,
and here it was twelve o'clock on Saturday!
She sat down and wrote a little note consult
ing the dictionary more than once to make sure
OF no errors, and carefully copying the whole,
because of o spattering little blot which fell,
as if s'of malice aforesaid" directly across the
second line.
DEAR Mr.. HERvEY:-Wil you grant us the
great favor of preaching in papa's place to-
morrow? He is very i'll of neuralgia, and is
unable even to prepare a sermon We shall
be greatly obliged if you will dine with us to-
morrow after church.
THEoDoRA REED.
And after satisfying herself that it was all
quite right, she carried it herself to the Star
hotel.
Mr.. Hervey was not in, hadn't been in since
But they would give him the note directly on
his arrival; 80 Theodore hurried home again
and in the course of the afternoon, o little col
ored boy from the hotel brought a card. on one
side OF which was engraved, Henry Hervey'"
white upon the other was written the words,
with the greatest pleasure"
And the minister's daughter, son hospita-
Bile thought intent" roasted a pair of chickens,
collected the ingredients for a salad, made a
peach-pie and bakeda loaf Of bread, which
was light and white as sea-foam.
I'm show him the country girls understand
good housekeeping" said Theo to herself,
Mr.. Reed was not able to leave his sofa next
morning, so Theo put on her pretty blueeand-
white muslin dress and the gypsy hat with the
roses that became her delicate complexion 30
perfectly, and went to church, after first see.
ing that the table was all spread for the cold
dinner, and the coffee-pot simmering on the
stove.
The hurch was full.
MIR. Heryey was a rising luminary in the theo.
logical horizon, ond almost every one in Win
field had heard of him, so there was no lack of
an audience.
But to Iheodora's ineffable dismay, the tall
young man who walked so composedly out on
the platform was no other than the frank-faced
pcrsonwho had stood on her kitchen threshold,
only the day before, and overheard her dia-
tribe on the subject of undesired guests.
Under the shadows of the roses she turned
rcdder still \
said frantically to herself. 81 always knew ii
would lead me into trouble! What must he
have ~thought?n
And, as may be inferred, Theodora's deyo-
tlons-albeit, she was in reality q sweet, sin
cere little Christian-did not do her much good
this morning.
MI. Hervcy came across into the parsonage
when the sermon was over, and held out his
hand to blushing Theodore.
meet again, /" said he, with q smile.
81 can thelp it, burst out Theodore, in das-
p~eration. 81 meant every word I said. Mr..
Hervey; it was all true. But-but it didn't ap-
| ply toyoui"
II understand, " he said, quietly. 81 was q
little nettled at the moment, for ! merely
wished for a temporary shelter while they
| xyare rnf,1rri ahinO nv rpoOa af f1,o Gtor 1,oto1
But / can easily SEQ, now that 1 have thought
the matter over IN a new light, that's minister's
family must be sadly pestered with volunteer
guests. Pray think no moro of it, Miss Reed
And no spoke 40 frankly and pleasantly that