The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1877-05-31
GKAkDMANMA KIRKE.

Glare TO Melicent Kirke, as he pointed
TO the villa he had selected for them to
comm ence in, when they would be mar
ried in a few weeks.
oh, it is beautiful! she whispered.
~ But Charley, don't you think it's
rather small?"
Well-yes-perbaps SO; but what do
we want of any thing larger? The bed
room up stairs is really good size,
and"
But is there bedroom on the ground
foor?" asked Melicent, anxiously.
"No; why?"
"For gfandmamma, you know"
Mr.. Jlare's countenance fell slightly
at the reference to gradmamma."
:" have made no arrangements for
your grandmother, Milly."
But Charley, she brought me up.
Oh, Charley, we can't settle down with
out herr"
ave can't settle down with her, you
mean ?" said Clare, imperatively. "When
man marries a girl, he don't contract
TO support all the relatives she happens
to havel"
"I am all that grandmanma has,"
said little Milly, her face all aglow, her
eyes darkly corruscating. "Grand-
mamma has loved and cherished me
more years than you have; and l will
not leave her to neglect and suffering in
her old age"
every well, them" said Mr.. Clare
quietly. at is settled"
eyes" said Melicent, in firm voice
ait Is settledl"
And Grandmamma Kirke, sitting alone
by her fire, was astonished, some five ol
ten minutes later, by the sudden appari
tion of little Milly flinging herself upo1
her shoulder, and. sobbing most bitterly
Grandmamma, Kirke listened to tn,
poor little girl 8 story, with an odd work
ing Of her veT ierable features.
81 don't ask this sacrifice of you
child" SAID old Mrs. Kirke, stocking
down the lustrous masses of dishevelet
brown hair. 81 dare say 1 shall do wei
enough"
Milly looked up, loving and indignan
at the same time.
"Uo you suppose could leave yor
grvndmammaf"
Mr., Charles Clare was little surprise
at the turn events had taken; it ha
never for an instant occurred to his min
that any girl in her sober sense coul
prefer the society of crooked old woma
to that of himself.
"She'll come to her senses aftG
awhile" was the reflection with whic
he was consoled. Gall girls indulge
Mysteries now and then, but it won
last long"
MIR. Glare, however, was destined (
disappointment.
Engaged to Frank Blakesley!" !
cried, about six months subsequent
"Why, he's been courting her this lor
time-sending her flowers, and book
and music, and all that sort of thin
And the old Witch of Endor is to IL
with them, / suppose. 1 wouldn't ha
stood it'll" went on Glare, growing mo
heated and angry as he talked; "b
Frank Blakesley never had any mind
his own. Well, wish 'em joy, tha
ALL"
And the tone of voice in which N
Glare spoke, indicated any thing rath
than the benevolent aspirations shadow
forth by his words.
Frank Blakesley and Melicent Kir
had not been married more than a ye
when dark messenger came to the dc
OF their humble, yet infinitely content
little hcme-Israfeel, the mighty and
lentiess angel of DEATH
"You've been very kind to me, Fra
and Milly," said Grandmamma Kirl
"but it's well nigh over now. o.
wanted to live long enough to see
little girl confded to the care Of so
good man who would value her as
deserves, and I've got my wish !"
And Grandmamma Kirke, whose
eyes were growing dim, fumbled un
her pillow for the old calico wcrk-t
with outlandish little pocket, whi
with its paraphernalia of antique hol
wives, bodkins, scissors, and thimb
was her constant companion.
"The needle-book, Milly," she 81
family: "look in the needle-book."
"But grsndmamma, the leaves are
sewn together"
"Cut them open, child; but be C
full. Pm going TO give that needle-b
toyou, Milly. 1t was one l bought W
you were wee baby. All my treas1
belong to you. child"
Frank Blakesley stood looking {
his wife's shoulder, as she obeyed