The Afro-American advance., 1899-09-02
"How long viii Martha be

A week at least, replied Miss So
phia.
How would it do for me 10 come
and keep house for you2?" asked Mary,
after few moments thought. "Fa-
ther and mother are going away to-
morrow for about two weeks. There's
the Widow Mason's daughter. Sarah.
who would. am sure. be glad to come
and do the rough work.
You would be doing me kind
ness should not soon forget" re-
piled Miss Sophia, with surprising
eagerness.
In fact she was really delighted with
the plan.1 What an opportunity IL would
afford TO bring Mary ZArmiger's ster-
ling qualities under the observation of
the minister He was fully cognizant
of her usefulness in the church. her
good work among the poor and suffer-
ing of the parish; her domestic virtues
could now be demonstrated 10 him.
Miss Sophia looked at her brother.
He was gazing gratefully and =appre-
eiatively at Mary Armiger.
No one in trouble ever appeals TO
you in vain. Miss Mary" he said. But
this is really something of an imposi-
ton"
Not at all. | shall be very glad in
deed to come. Only" with a slight hes
itation, II am afraid | should be obliged
to bring Lottie. as there will be no one
at home
Miss Sophia's brow darkened; the
minister's face flushed slightly,
"By all means bring Miss Lottie,' he
said. as Miss Sophia remained silent
Lifting her eyes, one evening week
later, Miss Sophia saw upon the porch
quite distinctly, for the moon was shin
ing brightly, Mary Armiger and Char
lie Saunders. She stiffened in her chair.
Mary and Charlie being together il fol-
lowed that Lottie and the minister
were bearing each other company.
/ There rose before Miss Sophia's 5 mind =
eye a distracting vision Of Lottfe, lovely
| in her white gown, with pink roses in
/ her yellow hair. The next moment,
however. all thought of Lottie, engaged
in Turing the minister 10 return to his
former folly. was driven from Miss So
! H.
placed his arm about Mary's waist and
kissed her upon the lips.
Miss Sophia gasped in astonishmen'
and horror. Could she have seen Alright?
+ Mary Armiger. the model of all that Is
| best in womanhood, permitting an in
nocent boy To kiss her unrebuked!
As Miss Sophia sat bewildered the
couple moved toward her.
why. Miss Sophia. you are all in the
dark; I'll light the lamp" said Mary,
as she stepped through the low window
into the room. followed by Charley.
Miss Sophia sat in grim silence until
Mary had lighted the lamp. She fixed
her eyes sternly upon Mary. Certainly
she had never seen the elder Miss Armi-
ger look quite so pretty before. There
was pink flush in her cheeks and her
dark eyes were soft and bright.
Mary Armiger. did | really see that
young man kissing you few moments
ago or did my eyes deceive me ?" asked
Miss Sophia, with uncompromising alb
ruptness.
| Mary blushed, while Charlie. TO Miss
Sophia's intense Indignation, began 10
| laugh.
II am afraid that you did. Miss
| Sophia" faltered Mary. ''You see,
had just promised TO marry him
What" gasped Miss Sophia. ''That
worthless young scamp. who does moth
ing but fiirt with your sister"
"Now Miss Sophia, that's too bad!"
cried Charlie. "Lottie and never
thought of such thing. She knows
that I've been in love with Mary for
ever so long"
Before Miss Sophia had time To col
lect her scattered wits sufficiently to
make a reply tho minister and Lottie
entered the room. Lottie's checks were
! pinker than the roses she wore in her
hair, and the minister's eyes were ra-
diant.
For a moment Miss Sophia's eyes lin
gered first upon the girl and then upon
her brother, and she made quick
movement 10 rise from her chair. The
minister came TO her assistance.
II wish to go 10 my ROOM" she said
laying her hand upon her brothers arm.
but keeping her face studiously avert
ed from him and the other occupants
of the parlor.
Il suppose you will permit me 10 re-
main until you are married TO that
DOLL she said,
why. Sophin. surely you are not
thinking of deserving me now that
shall need you more than ever?" ex-
claimed the minister. "You see il
were going TO marry woman like Mary
Armiger. now'--and suspicion of
smile crossed his lips. but was quickly
suppressed-'1 should not require any
one 10 keep house for me. But it's be
ing Lottie makes 1t quite different
matter"
For moment or two Miss Sophia
said nothing.
"Humph." she at length replied.
"I'll think about remaining Chicago
Times Herald.
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