Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1886-02-25

Il dp wish vou .lt down ant keep qnl-
ct Daisy, YOU distract me 50, huttering a
round the room like Il bird -
Now. Mis-, Cybele Martin was tall, mascu-
line. hard on the "thrties," with stiff little
curl, and gnld-rimmed spectacles, and Il
stand-up collar and crayat, like mans,
and she was very busy among a pile of
books, preparing hard questions to annihi-
late her Sunday-school class on the morrow,
while little ,ixteen-year-old Daisy, with h,r
pink and white skin and brown curls, and
/ innocent blue eye,, beat a retreat, mortified
at having distracted" her said sister.
Il suppose shall learn better sometime,
thought Daisy, but, oh dear, | am such a
silly little goose"
She went on tiptoe past the door where
Mr. Viniug, the young minister, was en-
rlged i'm the revision of hi> sermon, for Mr..
Vning lodged at Widow Martins, and
d ,isy lct her youth and folly more pain
fully than ever in hi. dignifed presence.
She stood moment in the doorway
where the cheerful July sun became Il gol-
len checker-work on the floor, Quivering
through the vines, and a sweet odnr crcpl
-ubtiy in. OF newly mown clov rfield, 1nd
rose, Just blooming along the garden wall
81 know what I'll do,' thought Daisy a'
her pet. the kitten, darted away through the
bushes. I'm have some of those ri cher
ries."
Daisy bounded down the glrlen-walE
dcfly climbing the old stone wall, swung
herself into the branches of huge cherry
tree. like -plumeL little bird.
Mother would be horriied, and Cybele
would have a fit" quietly she thought,
but it's so nice and shady up here, an'
the robin, are sta in; all the cherries.
almost wish was robin, it is such
pleasant life up among the green leave
with the blue SKY peepiug through. DeaI
me, hope that isn't mammal
Daisy crept a branch or two higher up
,, loot.steps came down the garden path.
Alas her prtmonitionS were but too cor
rect. Mr.. Martins cap-srrngs were hut
ering below. and Mrs Martins self hac
come out with bowl to pick curr.nt', ac-
companied by Aunt Susannah, her sister.
"Now I'm caught" soliIoqulzed our he
roine. 81 hope they won't be long. | won
der what they are talking about. Mr.. Vim
,ng, as live"
Daisy held her breath, and secretly
lushcd to see how unconscious the old
lame. were of her near vicinity.
"Yes, said Mrs Martin solemnly. He
a good young man-a very good youn-
man.
There amt no minister all over the
country round gives such satisfaction J
said Aunt ousannah Them cabbases Is
comm on finely, Lucretia"
"Oh bother the cabbage" said Mrs
Martin, tarty; "it's about Mr.. VinIng IN
talking Susannah! But he ought to marry
and settle down. single minister can
lo all the good he could if he was married.
That, true, asseuted Aunt ousannah
'and Cybele would make a capital minis
cr's wife"
shes The very wife he needs; and j
.ome one would just put the idea into hi
lcad"
Perhaps he doesn't mean to marry"
"Theh he's doing very wrong, encoura
ring Cybele the way he does, walking t'
sunday school with her, and talking about
the poor money, and picking out the psalm
md hymns with BIZ. head close to hers
OF all creatures, do dislike male co
/ quette."
Dear me, Lucretia H' said Aunt Su-an
nah. with mild remonstrance. II don
suppose he ever thinks Of The thing"
"Then be oughtto think it. Some one
ought to speak to him"
Meek Aunt Susannah picked cunants ir
erplexed silence.
II don't really think he ought to trh
with my poor Cybele's feeling.--and sh J.
.cn,itive. too," resumed the vi low.
"Ineycr did pretend to understand youn-
olks when love and courtship were in th
business" said Aunt Su-annah. But i
would be q Gue thing for CybeIe."
I'D be proud to be a ministers mother
in.lau." said Mr.. Martin exultant at th'
remote po-sib liz. And Cybele is a very
smart girl YOU ought 70 hear her tilk
ab1u, free-will and fore ordination! Why
Alr Vining himself Was astoni-hed.'
"I,hould think !, very likely, laid Aua
-u-aunah, dryly.
Cybele had never been her favorite niece
.he bad lectured Aunt Susanuah too ofte
.or sleeping in church, singing out Of Iun-
and other yenia sins.
Il don't really know what 10 do about IT,
sighed good Mr.. Martin. Il wish SOME
,ody would speak to ilr yiuing, and tel
.im plainly what his duty Is.
Haven't we picked cufrdnis enough :!
.azarded Aunt Su-annah.
IspO.e 80, s-i1 .dEs. N4ftia slaI. !.