The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1885-11-13

eopd looks. and she WAS 50 cxcccdip 81 =
shy that u the minister spoke 10 her Z !,
even the most trivial topic she bIusheJ
- red ~ peony. But these, said Mis-
Anas'asia' were such triiIing drawbacks
q almost 70 b. looked upon In the ligLt
" ausantages, under the circumstances.
Miss Piper was, as Mr.. Brown soon
saw. very good woman, exceedingly
conscientious and pain king. She d;d
her best for the two little girls-healthv.
happy. pretty little creatures Of nine
ana eleven ycars-who learned tile
SIMPLE lesson she gave them from pure
rove ior her. not because they feared
her displeasure.
Probably there was no lady in Bar
stow who took deeper interest ii the
household affairs Of the bcreaycd wild
over than Miss Anastasia Bowen. She
was. In spite Of the fact that youth had
long since left her. Of . sentimental
turn OF mind. and the pale, high-brcd
face and gentle manners Of Mr.. Brown
had inspired her with an intense admir-
alton Tor him, which. after the death OF
his wife. ripcncd into an undiscuiscd
attachment which was patent to every
one but the object u H. Not . chance
did the spinster lose Of seeing her dol.
and scarcely day passed that she did
mol run into the parsonage on one
excuse or another.
but the minister. absorbed in his
books and the memory OF his dead
Laura, was utterly and sublmely un-
conscious Of the passion he had in
spired The idea Of second marriage
had never entered his mind. He never
even asked himself whether he liked
Miss Bowen or not, but so constantly
did she press her advice respecting
every subject upon him that he grew to
depend upon her in great measure,
and often consulted her upon different
household and church matters. never
touching. however. in any manner
whatever upon the subject of matri.
mOny.
The fact that she was making no
Roadway in spite Of her tirciess efforts.
in spite Of tie attentions she avished
upon the two little girls, al last dawned
upon Miss Anastasia, and she set her
self 70 work 70 discover the reason.
She came TO the conclusion. after care
fnl review Of the ground. that Mr..
Brown was too comfortable by far.
Miss PlDer attended most assiduously to
his crca re comforts. and the society
OF his children prevented any feeling Of
great loneliness.
''He wouldn't hold out month If he
was left utterly alone medltated the
ambitious Lady. If he had no one to
see after'him or to talk 70. he'd be apt
10 thinx of me. There's no one else
he'd turn to. He's one of the kind to
take what comes nearest and is most
convenient"
In which last conclusion Miss Anas-
tasia was q''ite right. a. my story VIII
prove
She decided that no time was TO be
lost. and that il was best to begin OPP
eraiions az once So. after carefully
mapping out course OF action. she
repaired to the parsonage and asked
boldly 70 see Mr. Brown privately.
Miss Piper. meek and humble as
usual. exhibited no surprise at the re-
quest. but made haste to show the visitor
NJ once into the minister's study, where
be sat reading 1t his desk.
The intention of ''having q talk" on
some important subject was written
plainly on her hard. lean face. and Mr..
Brown laid down his book az once and
prepared q listen to whatever she had
come 10 say.
- hope I'm not disturbing you. Mr..
Brown. began Miss Anastasia. with
little nervous cough. as she took q seat.
She felt quite agitatcd. and an unwonted
color frightened her sallow cheek. Her
mission was 50 important. 50 much hung
upon is success. that il was not strange
she was not quite rs calm as usual
mo. oh no. answered Mr.. Brown,
with faint sigh. as he glanced at his
beloved book. II am always glad to
have YOU come. | hope there Is nothing
wrongw anxiously.
The truth is. Mr.. Brown, Two come
70 sec you about the girls They are
not managed a. well as could wish.
Miss Piper Is 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 Il did /
not occur to him TO question Miss Anas-
Iasia's statements He took them in
: 49, At%ttA - !" - - octuS clAuYtC CuOuk1 Y
o believe her to have his interests at
1cart-
why. you were the one who recon-
nendcd Miss Piper to me-" he said nc
ength. "and ! have been well satisfied
With her"
''Shc does the best she knows how"
aid Miss Anastasia, ''but she hasn't
authority to govern them
properly. All, poor little creatures,
hes need the care OF a mother"
This was bold stroke. A flush rose
o the ministers high. pale brow. but
'c gave no other sign Of emotion. Any
TO his dead wife panied him.
ven now that she had lain in her grave
wo years but Of course he did not
nv 50.
"You are very kind to take such an
interest" he murmurcd. . little indis-
lnctly. "What would you adviser
II would advise their being sent to .
oarding- school. Mr.. Brown. have .
ricnd who kecDs A very s.Iscf scminarv