Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1899-10-05

"a week, at least" replied Miss
Sophia.
"How would it do for me to come
and keep house for you?" asked Mary,
after few moments thought.
"Father and mother are going away
| tomorrow for about two weeks.
There's the Widow Mason's daughter,
Sarah, who would, am sure, be glad
to come aud do the rough work"
''You would be doing me kindness
should not soon forget, replied Miss
Sophia, with surprising eagerness.
In fact, she was really delighted
with the plan. What an opportunity
it would afford to bring Mary Armiger's
sterling qualities under the observa-
tion of the minister He was fully
cognizant of her usefulness in the
church, her good work among the
poor and suffering of the parish; her
domestic virtues could now be demon
strated to him.
Miss Sophia looked at her brother.
He was gazing gratefully and appre-
ciatively at Miss Armiger.
''No one in trouble ever appeals to
you in vain, Miss Mary he said
"But this is really something of an i'm
position"
''Not at all. shall be very glad in
deed to come. Only" with slight
hesitation, 81 am afraid l should be
obliged to bring Lottie, as there will
be no one at home"
Miss Sophia's bl ow darkened; the
| minister's pale face flushed slightly
''By all means bring Miss Lottie,
he said, as Miss Sophia remained ST.
lent.
Then suddenly Miss Sophia's brow
cleared. 1t occurred to her that Lot
ties presence might very materially
further her plans. 1t was true that
the minister had fallen a victim to
her pretty face, but living in the same
house with her for an entire week, he
would have abundant opportunity to
compare her with her sister, and dis
enchantment was sure to follow.
''Of course we shall be plea sed to
have your sister," said Miss Sophia,
with such evident sincerity that tho
minister, we'll aware of her views re.
garding the younger Miss Armiger,
was considerably astonished.
The next day, Martha having de-
parted, the two Miss Armigers took
! up their abode at the parsonage. Five
days passed. Miss Sophia was sitting
at the parlor window in the evening,
! refecting with much complacency
over the events of the past five days.
Mary Armiger Lad certainly demon
strated the fact that she was model
housekeeper aud an unexcelled cook,
and the minister appeared duly i'm
pressed. He spoke enthusiastically
of Mary's abilities as housekeeper,
and he gave abundant proof that her
cooking met with his approval. AS
for Lottie-she had played right into
Miss Sophia's hands. She lay in bed
until very late every morning, and she
spent the remainer Of the day lying in
the ham mock, reading novel or firt-
ing with Charlie Saunders.
Miss Sophia heartily disapproved of
Charlie, who, being the on.y child of
| rich parents, was rather given to TAX
ing life comfortably and getting all
the pleasure out of it possible. Char
lie was quite aware of Miss Sophia s
feelings for himself, aud the cordiality
with which she received him during
the Miss Armigers visit caused him
the liveliest surprise.
Though Lottie always looked dis
tractingly pretty, Miss Sophia felt sure
the minister had quite gotten over his
fancy for her forget-me- eyes, pink
cheeks and yellow hair in the con-
temptation of Mary's sterling quail
| ties.
Really" murmured Miss Sophia,
looking down upon her injured limb
with quite an air of approval, 1.-The
spraining OF my ankle was providen-
tial."
Lifting her eyes, Miss Sophia saw
upon the porch, quite distinctly, for
the moon was shining brightly, Mary
Armiger and Charlie Saunders. She
stiffened in her chair. Mary and
Charlie being together it followed
that Lottie and the minister were
bearing each other company. There
rose before Miss Sophia's minds
eye . distracting vision of Lottie.