The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-08-19
A High-Tempered Girl.

No, | won't!' said Theodore Reed.
impetuously; I" 1 won't won't SO
there's an end of the matter"
Theodore was busy making pear mar
malade, with pocket-handkerchief
fastened, Beatrice Cenci fashion, over
her luxurious brown tresses, huge
checked apron enveloping her trim
little figure, and sleeves rolled up above
the elbow.
Deacon Powers stood opposite, nerv-
ously feeling of his bristly chin.
Theodore was young and pretty,
with 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.
g 1t is 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 con-
venient for the semi-annual conven-
ton. In fact, l don't remember a
single month without 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''
But, my dear Miss Reed"
"rm not your dear Miss Reed"
said Theodore, vehemently. eff / was
you would try to spare me little of
all this annoyance. Yes, | know l am
a minister's daughter and as such am
expected to have neither feelings nor
preference nor sensibilities of any kind
But Pm human, after all; and 1 decline
to keep perpetual free hotel for every
one who comes in this direction
"Your predecessor, Miss Reed-the
lamented Mrs. Smiley-was never
averse to entertaining the saints"
reproachfully uttered the deacon.
Her door was ever open, and her
amiable hospitality"
ooh, yes, know" said Theodore
And she died at forty. l intend to
live a great deal longer than that. She
was killed by sewing societies and COM
pany and Dorcas meetings. I've had
enough of that sort of thing, and l
mean to stop. If the church people
desire papa to entertain all creation
they must raise his salary-that's ALL"
6 But, my good young friend"
AT that moment, however, third
person unexpectedly appeared upon
the scene. The door between the par
lor and kitchen, which had, unper-
ceived by Miss Reed and Deacon Pow
ers, stood slightly ajar, opened. A tall,
FIRE n ly-fa
with decided color ON his cheeks.
Deacon Powers" said he, "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 arrow
from the bow, and the next moment
Theodore was alone.
She colored and bit her lips.
It's all true" she said, every
word of it, But Pm little sorry he
heard it. Perhaps he wasn't to blame,
after ALL"
And Theodore went vigorously on
with the pear marmalade, until the old
clock in the corner struck eleven; and
then she poured out cup of chocolate
and ran upstairs to her fathers room.
Mr.. Reed was sitting before his study
table, his temples resting on his hands,
his elbows among the chaos of books
once and laid her hand on his head.
Papa" she said, wistfully, sis your
neuralgia worse?"
Very much worse, Theo," he said,
lifting his pain-glazed eyes to her eager,
questioning, young face. " / do not
believe that can preach tomorrow; l
do not believe that / can even prepare
sermon"
Theodore looked aghast.
/" But papa" she said, " what can
you do? Old DIR. Denison is out of town,
and"
MY DEAR" said the poor clergyman,
pressing his hands to his throbbing
temples, " You must send note to
Mr. Hervey, and ask him to officiate in
my place, as a special favor"
" Who is Mr.. Hervey?" asked Theo-
dora.
" don't know" sighed Mr.. Reed,
only know that he is to be at Wind
field this week Most probably he will
be at the Star Hotel"
Very well, papa" said Theodore,
feigning cheerfulness that she was
far from feeling. " Drink your choco-
late now, there's a darling, and don't
fret yourself the least bit in the world,
and l will see that all arrangements are
made"
So she ran downstairs 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 little note,
consulting the dictionary more than
once to make sure of no errors, and
carefully copying the whole, because of
aspattering little blot which fell, as if of
" malice aforethought," directly across
the second line:
Dear Mr.. HerUey:-Will 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 sermon We shall
be greatly obliged ii you will dine with us
tomorrow after church. THEODORE 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 morning.
But they would give him the note di-
rectly on his arrival. So Theodore hur-
TOD -. II a