The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1899-09-16

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 at her brother
He was gazing gratefully and appre-
ciately at Miss Armiger.
mo one In trouble ever appeals to
you in vain. Miss Mary" he said
But this is really something of an
imposition"
Not at all. l shall be very glad
indeed to come. Only" with slight
hesitation, 81 am afraid / should be
obliged to bring Lottie, as 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,"
he said, as Miss Sophia remained ST.
lent.
Lifting her eyes one evening a week
later, 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 to-
gether 1t followed that Lottie and the
minister were bearing each other COM
pany. There rose before Miss Sophia s
minds eye distracting vision of Lot
tie, 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
to return to his former folly, was
driven from Miss Sophia's mind, for
Charlie Saunders had placed his arm
about Mary's waist and kissed her
upon the lips.
Miss Sophia gasped in establishment
and horror. Could she have seen
Alright? Mary Armiger, the model of
all that is best In womanhood, permit
ting an insolent boy to kiss her I'M
rebuked
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 win
dow into the room, followed by Char
lie.
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
Armiger look quite so pretty before.
There was a pink flush In her cheeks
and her dark eyes were soft and
bright.
Mary Arniiger, did l really see that
young man kissing you a few moments
ago or did my eyes deceive mel" asked
Miss Sophia, with uncompromising alb
ruptness.
Mary blushed, while Charlie, to Miss
Sophia's intense Indignation, began to
laugh.
II am afraid that you did, Miss
Sophia" faltered Mary. "You see,
had just promised to marry him"
"Whaty gasped Miss Sophia. THAT
worthless young scamp, who does
nothing but f1irt with your sister.
Now, Miss Sophia, that's too bad, -
cried Charlie. "Lottie and | never
thought of such a 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 the minister and Lottie
entered the room. Lottie's cheeks were
pinker than the roses she wore in her
hair. and the minister's eyes were
radiant.
For a moment Miss Sophla's eyes lin
gered first upon the girl and then upon
her brother. and she made a quick
movement to rise from her chair. The
minister came to her assistance.
Il wish to go to my room" she said,
laying her hand upon her brothers
arm, but keeping her face studiously
averted from him and the other oc-
cupants of the parlor.
When they reached her bedroom
door she stopped and turned a rather
white face toward him.
IL suppose you will permit me to re-
main until you are married to that
dollY' she said.
"Why, Sophia. surely you are not
thinking of deserving me. now that l
shall need you more than everT ex-
claimed the minister. You see, If l
were going TO marry a woman like Ma
ry Armiger, now"-and n suspicion of
smile crossed his lips. but was
quickly suppressed-"I should not re-
quire any one to keep house for me.
But it being Lottie makes it a very
different matter"
For a moment or two Miss Sophia
said nothing