The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1895-10-01

"My dear" said the poor clerpv-
man, pressing his hands to his throb.
bing temples, "you must send note
to MIR. Hervey, aud ask him to oficiate
In my place, rs special favor"
W. is Mr.. Hervey?" said Theo-
dora.
Il don't know sighed Mr.. Reed.
II only know that he was to be at
Windtield this week. Most probably
he will be at the Star Hotel"
Very well, papa said Theodore.
feigning cheerGulness that she was
very far from feeling. Drink your
chocolate, now there's darling, and
don't fret yourself the least bit in the
world, and will see that all arrange
ments are made"
So she ran down stairs and set her.
self to thinking.
n substitute must be found for the
morrow's pulpit, and here 1T was IL
o'clock on Saturday
She sat down and wrote n little note.
consulting the dictionary more than
once to make sure of no errors, and
carefully copying the whole, because
OF spnttering little blot which fell,
as 1t "of malice aforesaid" directly
across the second line.
Dear Mr. Hervcy Will YOU grant Ms tbe
great Iivor oi preaching in papa's place to-
! morrow! He IS very i'll OF neuralgia and l.
unlhl" oven to prepare Il sermon We shall
hr greatly obliged il you will dine with Ms
tomorrow after church.
'THEpDoRA REED
And after satisfying herself that it
was all quite right, she carried it her
self to the Star Hotel
Mr.. Hervey was not in hadn't been
Ill since morning.
But they would give him the note
directly ON his arrival; so Theodore
hurried home again, and in the course
OF the afternoon boy from the hotel
brought card, on one side Of which
was engraved "Henry Hervey," while
upon the other was written the words,
with the greatest pleasure.
And the minister's daughter, con
hospitnble thought intent" roasted
pair of chickens, collected the ingre-
dients for n salad, made peach pie
and baked II loaf of bread, which was
light and white rs sea foam.
| "l'll show him that country girls
understand good housekeeping, said
/ Theo to herself
Mr.. Reed was not able to leave his
sofa the next morning, so Theo put on
her pretty blue-and-white muslin dress
and the gypsy hat with the roses that
became her delicate complexion so per.
fectly, and went to church, after first
seeing that the table was all spread for
the cold dinner, and the coilee-pot sim
mering on the stove.
The church was full
MIR. Hervey was RISING luminary in
the theological horizon, and almost
every one in Windield had heard of
him, so that there was no lack of an
audience.
But to Thcodora's ineff.ble dismav.
the tall young man who walked so com
posedly out on the platform was no
other than the frank faced person who
had stood on her kitchen threshold.
only the day before, and overheard her
diatribe on the subject of undesired
guests.
Under the shadow of the roses. she
turned reddcr still.
con, my tongue-my unlucky
tongue she said, framcticIlly, to her.
self II always knew it would lead
me into trouble What must he have
thought?'
Aud, rs MAJ he inferred, Theodora's
devolions albeit she was in reality II
sweet, sincere little Christian did not
do her much good that morning.
MIR. Hervcy came across into the
parsonage when the sermon was over.
and held out his hand to blushng
Theodore.
I'VE meet again, said he, with n
smile
81 cant help it, burst out Theo-
dora, IN desperation. 81 meant every
word | said, Mr.. Hervey. 1t was all
true, but---but it didn't apply to Won. "
81 understand" he SAID, quietly.
81 was little nettlei at the moment,
for ! merely wished for temporary
shelter while they were refurnishinp
my room Mt the Star Hotel. But | can
easily see, now that | have thought
the matter over IN new light, that
ministers family must he sadly pes.
tered with volunteer guests PRAY
think no more of it, Miss Reed"
And he spoke 50 frankly and pleas
antly that Theo became quite Mt her
ease, while he carved the chicken anu
she prepared the crisp lettuce and
llmpid oil for the salad.
lie was taken mp TO Mr.. Reeds sick
room after dinner, and had n pleasant
chat before the afternoon service.
You have done me great favor.
sir, said the elder clergyman, when
Mt length he parted from his guest
"Aud we should esteem it privilege
my little girl and If you would
make your home Mt the parsonage dur
ing your stay in town. Should we
not, Thco?"
Theodore hung down her head and
turned pink to the very roots of her
hair.
"Yos," she said, almost inaudiblv.
"Only-I am ashamed to say so-oh.
papa, hiding her face on his shoulder.
81 have behaved so badly! ! never
should have taken it for granted that
Mr. Hervey was like tho rest"
And then, infinitely 90 Mr. Hervey's
amusement, she told the whole story
OF her interview with Deacon Powers.
Mr.. Rccdsmilcd as he strokoI Theo's
head