Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1885-11-12

| she had no pretensions whatever to
rood looks, and she was SO exceedingly
| shy that if the minister spoke to her on
even the most trivial topic she blushed
as red as a peony. But these, said Miss
Anastasia, were such trifing drawbacks
| as almost to be looked upon in the light
of advantages, under the circumstances.
T; Miss Piper was, as Mr.. Brown soon
| saw, a very good woman. exceedingly
conscientious and painstaking. She did
her best for the two little girls-healthy,
happy, pretty little creatures OF nine
and eleven years-Who learned the
simple lesson she gave them from pure
love for her, not because they feared
her dspleasure.
Probably there was no lady in Bar
stow who took a deeper interest in the
household affairs of the bereaved wild
over than Miss Anastasia Bowen. She
was. in spite of the fact that youth had
long since left her. of a sentimental
turn of mind. and the pale, high bred
face and gentle manners of Mr.. Brown
had inspired her with an intense admir-
alton for him, which, after the death of
his wife, ripened into an undisguised
attachment which was patent to every
one but the object of it. Not chance
did the spinster lose of seeing her idol,
and scarcely day passed that she did
not 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 sublimely I'M
conscious of the passion he had in
spired. The idea of a 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 a 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 tireleSs efforts.
in spite OF the attentions she lavished
upon the two little girls, at last dawned
upon Miss Anastasia, and she set her
self to work to discover the reason.
She came to the conclusion. after care
full review of the ground, that Mr..
Brown was too comfortable by far
Miss Piper attended most assiduously to
his creature 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" medtated the
ambitious lady. IF he had no one to
see after him or to talk to, he'd be apt
TO think 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'iite right as my story will
prove.
She decided that no time was to be
lost, and that it was best to begin OPP
erations at once. So, after carefully
mapping out a course OF action, she
repaired to the parsonage and asked
boldly to 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
at once into the ministers study, where
he sat reading at 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 at once and
prepared to listen to whatever she he'd
come to say.
81 hope I'm not disturbing you, Mr..
Brown. began Miss Anastasia. with
little nervous cough, as she took q seat.
Sba faIf ruito q c;f.taI onl ~
color frightened her sallow cheek. Her
mission was so important, so much hung
upon its success, that it was not strange
She was not quite as calm as usual.
No, oh no." answered Mr.. Brown,
with 4 faint sign, as he glanced at his
beloved book. al am always glad to
have you come. l hope there is nothing
wrong?" 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, land have been we'll 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 mother.''
This was a bold stroke. A flush rose
to 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 marmured, little indis-
tinctly. what would you adviser"
81 v-0r1A olx-,so L.;