Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-05-16
miscellaneous.
THE DEACON'S DAUGHTER.

Deacon Roberts was very uneasy il
bis mind as to whether he was doing
quite right in allowing Philip Condit
to call on his daughter Josie.
Nobody in town seemed to know any.
thing about the young man, and he never
spoke Of his home or family himself so
it was plain he had done something
wrong
Now, young Bryan was the man the
deacon favored flo had plenty Of
money, and though somewhat of a
stranger, too, in Craddock, everybody
knew that he came from Minnesota.
where he was said to own good doal Of
property.
The deacon did not want to send
Condc about his business in hurry
because Josie seemed to have taken
such n fancy to the young man, bat
when the two went out strolIing to-
gcthcr that evening he turned angrily
to his Wife
"What d'you mean he demanded,
"by encouraging this nonsense It's
got to be stopped, tell you, The gal
knows what's wanted of her, and she
might as well make up her mind to IT,.
I'm going to settle it with her tonight "
Poor Mrs. Roberts knew what be
meant, and her heart sank little She
admitted Bryan's smooth manners she
shared the common respect which his
enviable position inspired she consid-
cred him, on the whole, u superior be-
ing. But she was well aware of Jose's
dislike for him, and her heart was full
of pity for the girl.
The charming person was standing
outside in the twilight. looking up rather
sober into the face that was bending
above her own. Conde had drawn her
arm through his own with an air of pro-
prietorship.
"'Well !" he said smilingly.
"Well !" she repeated, with something
like rcproach in her voice. 1T strikes
me, really, that you are remarkably
cool"
:" ought to be, he responded good
humoredly. Goodness is part OF my
profession at present."
"But you don't understand" said
Josie, anxiously. "Father was speak
ing to Mr.. Bryan tonight; saw him.
Well, what can / do? What am |
against them | shall probably end by
marrying him." she concluded desper-
ately
But when she went into the house,
some half an hour later, her faco was
quite untroubled. He had explained
nothing; he was as much mystery as
ever; but somehow he had scattered
her fears to the winds. He had hidden
her wait, aud wait she would.
Her father was sitting in his favorite
place by the kitchen stove. lie rose as
she entered.
"Bryan was speaking to me-" he be-
gan, rather nervously. 'He says"
His daughter paused.
II know what he says" she said
quietly; "but shall not marry him,
father; you may tell him that"
She went up the kitchen stairway,
shutting the door behind her
The deacon was extremely nervous.
He had spent the day in wandering from
the house to the barn, and from the barn
to the orchard, and from the orchard
back to the house. He had taken his
old gun down from its shelf, and gone
into the little strip Of woods back of tho
farm--a thing he had not done for years;
but he had forgotten TO load il, and he
had wandered back presently. lie had
gone down to the mill with half dollar
be did not owe, in uneasy hopes of see
ing the owner, for what-he did not
know; but tho mill had not been open
ed. That was unusual since Bryan's en-
ergetic reign had begun, and the dea-
cons nervousness had increased.
He sat on the kitchen porch with his
pipe 10 his mouth, while the darkness
gathered in again. He could hear the
clatter of the supper dishes and Josie's
light step.
He had not spoken TO her that day
be had made no attempt to do 80. III
had gone to bed wrathfully the nigh
before, fully determined to fulfill hi
promise to Bryan at the first chance.
He listened apprehensively for til
click of the garden gate. Nothing wa
as he had promised. What should b
say to him?
lie took his pipe from his mouth, al
moved in his chair in an agitated wa
u when he heard it at last. A white ii
ure flew past him, down the steps Al