The Red Cloud chief., 1885-11-13

i tsf'a AiiII us slAh-Nss7aeN -
was. in spite Of the fact that youth had
long since left her. Of a sentimental
turn 81 mind. and the pale, hIgh-blei
fac: and gentle manners Of Mr.. Brown
had inspired her with an intense admir-
alton for him, which, after the death Of
hi, wife. ripencd into an und-gulsed
attachment which was patent to every
one but the object of it Not q chance
did the ,pinster lose Of seeing her idol,
and scarcely a day passed that ,Ec did
not run into the parsonage on one
cXcusc or another.
But the minister. absorbed in his
books and the memory Of his dead
Laura. was utterly and sr:blimely un-
conscious Of the passion he had in
spircd The idea Of a second marriage
had never entered his mind. He never
even asked himself whether be liked
Miss Bowen or not, but so constantly
did she press her advice respecting
every subject upon him that he gre" to
depend upon her in a grca: measure,
and often consulted her upon different
household and church matters. never
touching, however, in any
whatever upon the subject Of matri-
mony.
The fact that she was making no
hcadway in spite of her tirelc.s efforts.
in spite OF the attentions she lavi,hed
upon the two little girls. Al last dawned
upon Miss Anastasia. and she set her
self 10 work to discover the reason.
She came To the conclusion. after Il care
ful review Of the ground. that Mr..
Brown vas too comfortable by far.
Miss Piper attended most as5!duously to
his creature comforts. aud the society
of his children prevented any feeling Of
great loneliness.
.'Iic wouldn't hold n month if he
was left utterly alone mcdiiatcd the
ambitious lady. If he had no one to
see after him or TO talk to, he'd be apt
10 ihinR 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-
,asia was q'iite right. as my story W.
prove. 81
She decided that no time was to u
lost. and that it was best to begin op-
crations 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 ~ the re-
quest, but made haste 10 show the yisitor
N once into the ministers study, where
he sat rcadin" Al his desk.
The intention Of having a talk" On
some important subject was writtsn
plainly on her hard. lean face. AMI NJ.
Brown laid down his po0k 1t ono I'D
prepared to listen TO whatever sha had
come 10 say.
ii hope I'm not disturbing you. Ar.
Brown. BEGAN Miss AnaSti~ia. withia
little nervous cough. As she took n seat.
She felt quite agitated, and an unwuntSd
color frightened her >ailow cheek. Her
mission was SO important, so much hu e
upon lis success. hat 1t was not -tranae
she was not quite ~ calm a usual.
NO. oh no. answered Mr.. Brown.
with Il IA N; sigh. a. he glanced 1t his
beloved book. ~ am always glsd to
have You comc. | hope there is nothi TX
wrong anNiously.
The truth is. Mr.. Brown. I've come
10 see YOU about the girls They are
not managed - well a. | could wish.
Miss Piper is a good woman, bUt sle
cant have the authority IA mother
would have. YOU know. and she lets
them do about Is they please. and they
are growing up rude and Wild =
Mr.. Brown looked startled. ted
not Occur to him TO question Mss Ants
taSia's statements. He took them n
good faith always, being simple enough
To believe her To have his interests al
heart.
WHY. YOU Were the one who recon
mcndcd Miss Piper to me-" he said at
length. ''and | have been well satisii sd
with her"
.'Shc does the best she knows how"
said Miss Anasta>ia. but she hasn't
sufficient authority TO govern them
property. All. poor little creatures,
they need the care IF q mother.
This was Il bold stroke. \ flush rose
to the ministers high. pale brow. bat
he gave no other sign of emotion. AN
Reference 10 his dead wife Hiincd hun,
even now that she had lam IN her grave
two wears. but Of course he did Mt
say So.
You are very kind to TAKE such "a
interest, he murmured. n little inds-
tinctly. '.W hat would YOU advisaf"
Il would advise their being sent &c .
board n--school. Mr.. Brown. | have n
friend who keeps a very select seminary
at Woodstock. She woald be delight n
10 take charge of Flora and Annie, 4
am sure"
Il should not like To part with them
said Mr. Brown med taiivelv. "!Ands
and-what would become of Miss pipee
wouldn't like to hurt her feelings ai1
she loves the girls dearly"
"Ihcrc'd be no cause for her to ft(l
hurt Tell her simply that force II
cumStance> compcls Won 10 dismiss het.
\ months notice viii be- sufficient"
1T will be very unpleasant" sad
the minister in trepid.tion. Ard
where Will she 60? She has no hore
bit this. and not 3 relative in te
world"
she must find another situationLn
said Miss AnastaSia. She can begin st
once TO look for one. You can tel h&
of the contemplated chang this eveu.
ing" and. after promising TO write =
once to the principal of the SemipaT
n Woodstock. Miss Anastasia let
walking home in a state ~ bliss hp
dering on ecStacy. She felt sure that
she had put in the first wedge thai
would lift her toward a home in lie
parsonage. and already began to pls4
the changes she would make in is a.
rancement
But 4 shadow had been thrown ovSf
Mr.. Browns peaceful life. HIS soul
was filled with despair uautterabie At
the thought of that conversation he
must have with Miss Piper. The mere
possibility of her shedding tears made
q shuGder run through his frame. He
4 could not make M his mimi "a sneak