The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1900-05-11

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the minister, and then he added: Here
comes Miss Armigcr now.",F
He passed into the hall, returning in
few minutes with Mary Armiger.
"Why, Miss Sophia, am so sorry to
hear of your accident" she said.
She had soft dark eyes and a 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
ill, and she is going home this after
noon."
"Why, that is too bad" said Mary
Arminger. "How long will Martha be
gomez"
IA 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-
Their 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 kind
ness I should not soon forget" re-
piled 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 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 Mary" he said. ''But
this is really something of an imposi-
tion."
mot at all. I shall be very glad in
deed to come. Only" with 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 it fol-
lowed that Lottie and the minister
were bearing each other company.
There rose before Miss Sophia's minds
eye 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 establishment
and horror. Could she have seen aright3
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
lark; 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
aer 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 a 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 to
laugh.
/ IL am afraid that you did, Miss
Sophia" faltered Mary. "You see, I
lad just promised to marry him."
"What!" gasped Miss Sophia. "That
worthless young scamp, who does moth
Nov Miss Sophia, that's too bad!"
cried Charlie. '.Lottie and I 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
Iect her scattered wits sufficiently to
make 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 moment Miss Sophia'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.
out keeping her face studiously avert
I'd from him and the other occupants
Of the parlor.
Il suppose you will permit me to re-
main until you are married to that
1oll." she said.
why, Sophia, surely you are not
thinking OF deserving me now that I
hail need you more than ever?" ex-
claimed the minister. "You see If
werrgoing to marry a woman like Mary
Arniger, now"-and suspicion of a
mile crossed his lips, but was quickly
suPpressed-'I should not require any-
one to keep house for me. But it's be-
ng Lottie makes it quite a different
matter"
For a moment or two Miss Sophia
said nothing.