The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1901-02-15
LOttie'S Blue Eyes

is was not all, for the minister had
committed the supreme folly of losing
lbs heart to a, chit of girl, and most
objectionable young person altogether
in Miss Sophia's eyes.
Now, if he had only fallen In love
: with Mary" unused Sophia. ''She is a
riost cstimable young woman. But
that tloll-faced, vain, frivolous Lottie--"
and Miss Sophia groaned. "A man of his
age and q minister of the Gospel to lose
his wits over pink and white complex
ion and yellow hair! Oh, it is too bad.
If ! only knew of some way to olsen
chant him."
Just then two girls and a young man
passed along the street. One of the
girls was tall, >dark-haired and stately;
the other was pink-cheeked and yellow
haired. Her hands were full of roses
and her laughing eyes were upifted
in the face of the young man by her
side.
Miss Sophia snorted with disgust.
Flirting, as usual, the shameless
pece!" she calculated. "a nice min
ister's wife she would make! Harmon's
an IDIOT"
Then Miss Sophia suddenly awoke to
the fact that the hired girl had been
left much too long at her own devices,
and rose hastily to her feet. In so do
ing she tripped over stool and gave
her ankle severe wrench.
a. little later Rev. Harmon Pendleton
returned home and found Miss Sophia
with her foot on a stool and her ankle
swathed in bandages.
Why. Sophia, what has happened ?"
asked the minister.
I've sprained my ankle" replied
Miss Sophia, with grim disgust. II
can't so much as put my foot on the
floor."
'Whew, this is indeed bad!" MUIR
INJURED Rev. Harmon.
And it is not ALL" added Miss So
rhia. Martha has just had word that
Ter mother is very i'll and to come home
Immediately. What to do I can't mag
ine."
"Why. get another girl"
Since when has it become so easy to
get help in Westonville at moments
notice?" CALCULATED Miss Sophia, with
supreme 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"
IL don't doubt it; Mary Armieer is
most superior young woman" said
Miss Sophia, with emphasis.
Yes. she is, indeed" readily ass ented
the minister.
$50 Utterly unlike her sister Lottie,"
supplemented Miss Sophia.
res. they are quite unlike, certain
~. said the minister, quietly.
Did you meet Lottie, also?'' asked
Miss Sophia. fnrtively watching her
brothers fac" 'She passed with Char
lie Saunders. making eyes at him. as
usual. What an audacious flirt that
"oh, I have not seen Lottie,' replied
the minister, and then he add ed: "Here
COME: Miss Armiger now"
lie passed into the hall. returning in
H." minutes with Mary Armiger.
why. Miss Sophia, m so sorry to
hear CT your accident" she said.
She had soft dark eyes and low,
sweet voice.
was just telling Sophia that per-
maps you may be a,nle to Help her in
her present awkward predicament."
said the minister. ~Dfartha's mother is
lii ana She is goins, home this after
naon."
"hy' that is top bad" said Mary
Armlnger. "I1ow long will Martha be
gomez"
"A week at least" replied Miss So
phia.
no" would it do for me to come
ana KeeI, house for you?" asked Mary.
a1cF q few moments thought. "Fa-
ther and mother are coins. awav To-
mortF,w for about two weeks. There's
tue Widow Mason's daugt ter, Sarah,
VINO would, [ am sure, be glad to come
and do the rough work."
You would be doing me a kind
ness | should not soon forget" re-
pied Miss Sophia, with. surprising
eagerness.
In fact she was really III LIGHTED with
me plan. What an oppor t,,nity it would
n'rord TO bring Mary A11niger's ster-
ing qualities unf .er the observation of
'ne MINISTER! lie was fully cognizant
OF her uscfuln .ss in The church, her
eoSo wcfk an ong the poor and suffer-
'is oi the IA ,ish; her domestic virtues
co.iu now e demons trated 20 him.
MISS So ia looked al her brother.
ne was ga ling grateiiu and appre-
c'asiv ely at Mary Arniger.
30 one in trouble ever appeals to
E,u in warn. Miss Mary" he said. .sBut
this is really something Of an imposi-
tion."
Not at all. l 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
ministers face flushed slightly.
by all means brin g Miss Lottie," he
said, as Miss Sophia remained silent.
Lifting her eyes, cl lie evening " eek
later. Miss Sophia s;sx upon the porch
cutie distinctly, for Il e moon was S. hin
ing brightly. Mary A:rmiger and Char
lie Saunders. She ssih ened in her CHI. air.
Mary and Charlie ,eing together it fol
lowed that Lottie and the mini ster
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 NONE mt,