Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1900-01-03

."Oh, I have not seen Lottie," replied the minister, and then he added: Here comes Miss Armiger now."
 He passed into the hall, returning in a few minutes with Mary Armiger.
 "Why, Miss Sophia, am so sorry to hear of your accident" she said.
 She had soft dark eyes and low, sweet voice.
 'I 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 after noon."
 "Why, that is too bad," said Mary Arminger. How long will Martha be gone?"
 "A week at least" replied Miss So- phia-
 How would it do for me to come and keep house for you% 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, I am sure, be glad to come and do the rough work"
 You would be doing me a kind ness I should not soon forget" re- piled Miss Sophia, with surprising esgerness.
 In fact she was really delighted with the plan. What an opportunity it would afford to bring Mary Armiger'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 to him.
 Miss Sophia looked at her brother. He was gazing gratefully and appre- ciatively at Mary Armiger.
 "No one in trouble ever appeals to you in vain, Miss Nary" he said. But this is really something of an imposi- tion."
 'Not at all. I shall be very glad in- deed to come. Only" with slight hes itation, "I 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 a week later, Miss Sophia saw upon the porch quite distinctly, for the moon was shin ing brightly, Mary Armiger and Char lie Saunders. She stilfened in her chair. Mary and Charlie being together it fol- lowed that Lottie and the minister were bearing each other company. There rose before Miss Sophias minds eye a distracting vision of Lottie, 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 So- phia's mind, for Charlie Saunders had placed his arm about Mary's waist and kissed her upon the lips.
 Miss Sophia gasped in astonishment and horror. Could she have seen aright? 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 ab- ruptness-
 Mary blushed, while Charlie, to Miss Sophia's intense indignation, began to laugh.
 TT am afraid that you did, Miss Sophia" faltered Mary. You see, I had just promised to marry him."
 "What!" gasped Miss Sophia. "That worthless young scamp, who does noth- ing but flirt with your sister,"
 ''Now Miss Sophia, that's too bad!" cried Charlie. "Lottie and I 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 feet 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 ra- diant.
 For a moment Miss Sophia's eyes lin yered 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.
 ''I wish to go to my room" she said, aying her hand upon her brothers arm, put keeping her face studiously avert d from him and the other occupants of the parlor.
 'I suppose you will permit me to re- main until you are married to that loll," she said.
 "Why, Sophia, surely you are not thinking of deserting me now that I hall need you more than ever?" ex- claimed the minister. You see if I were goingto marry a woman like Mary Armiger, now'-and a suspicion of a mile crossed his lips, but was quickly should not require any ne to keep house for me. But it's be- ng Lottie makes it quite a different natter"
 For Q moment or two Miss Sophia aid nothing.
 'Humphl" she at length replied. I'll think about remaining. Chicago 'imes-Herald.
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