Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1899-08-24


fact was In itself an offense to Miss
Sophia, but 1t was not all. for the min
lister had committed the supreme folly
OF losing his heart to a chit of GIRL
and most Objectionable young per-
son altogether In Miss Sophla's eyes.
Now II he had only fallen in love
with Mary" unused Miss Sophia.
"She Is a most estimable young
woman. But that doll-faced, vain,
frivolous Lottie-" and Miss So
phia groaned. "a man Of his age and
a minister of the gospel to lose his wits
over pink and white complexion and
yellow hair! oh. II Is too bad. If
only knew Of some way to disenchant
himw
Just then two girls and young man
passed along the street. One Of the
girls was tall, dark-haired and stately;
the other was pink-cheeked and yell
roses and her laughing blue eyes were
uplifted to the face Of the young man
by her side.
Miss Sophia snorted with disgust.
Flirting, as usual. the shameless
piece!' she calculated. "a nice min
listers wife she would make! Har-
mons an idiotw
Then Miss Saphia suddenly awoke
to the fact that the hired girl had been
left much too long to her own devices,
and rose hastily to her feet. In so do
ing she tripped over n stool and gave
her ankle severe wrench.
A little later Rev. Harmon Pendle-
ton returned home and found Miss So
phia with her foot on. stool and her
ankle swathed in bandages.
"Why, Sophia, what has happened"
asked the minister.
1--WE sprained my ankle" replied
Miss Sophia, with grim disgust. II
can't SO much as put my foot on the
floor"
why, this Is indeed bad" muir
INJURED Rev. Harmon.
"And that is not all," said Miss So
phia. Martha has just had word that
her mother is very Ill and to come
home Immediately. What to do
can't imagine"
"Why, get another girl"
"Since when has 1t become so easy
Il, get help in Westonville at a mo-
ments notices" calculated Miss So
rhia, with extreme scorn.
II met Miss Armiger down the
street." said the minister with sudden
inspiration. "She intends stopping on
her way home. Perhaps she can think
of way out Of the difficulty"
~ don't doubt 1t; Mary Armlger is
a most superior young woman" said
Miss Sophia, with emphasis.
Eyes, she is indeed" readily assent
ed the minister.
$50 utterly unlike her sister Lottie,"
supplemented Miss Sophia.
Eyes, they are very unlike, certain
ly," said the minister quietly.
"Did you meet Lottie alsoT asked
Miss Sophia, furtively watching her
brothers face. "She passed with
Charlie Saunders, making eyes at him
as usual. What an audacious flirt that
girl is"
"Oh, have not seen Lottie,' replied
the minister, and then he added:
Here comes Miss Armiger now"
He passed into the hail. returning
in few minutes with Mary Armlger.
"why, Miss Sophia, 1 am sorry to
hear Of your accident" she said.
She had soft dark eyes and a low,
sweet voice.
81 was Just telling Sophia that per-
haps you may be able to help her In
her present awkward predicament,"
said the minister. "Martha's mother
is i'll, and she Is going home this aft
ernoon."
"Why, that Is too bad" said Mary
Armiger. How long will Martha be
gone"
"A week at least" replied Miss So
phia.
How would II do for me to come
and keep house for you," asked Mary,
after a few moments Thought. "Fa-
Their and mother are going away to-
morrow for about two weeks. There's
the Widow Masons daughter, Sarah.
who would, am sure, be glad to come
and do the rough work"
.You would be doing me kindness
I should not soon forget" replied Miss
Sophia, with surprising eagerness.
In fact she was really delighted with
the plan. What an opportunity II
would afford to bring Mary Armigers
sterling qualities under the observa.
ton 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 ut her brother.
He was gazing gratefully and appre-
ciately at Miss ArmIger.
'No one In trouble ever appeals to
you In vain. Miss Mary" he said
''But this is really something of an
imposition"
mot at all. I shall be very glad
indeed to come. Only. with slight
hesitation, az am afraid should be
obliged to bring Lottie, rs there will
be, no one at home"
Miss SophIa's brow darkened; the
minister's pale face flushed slightly.
by all means bring Miss Lottie, y