Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1877-08-14
MIScELLANE0 GUS.
GRANDMAMMA KIRKE.

..feow do you like 'ty" said Charley Glare
TO MeliCent kIrke, a. he painted to the
villa he had selected Tor them to Commence
To, when they would be married in few
weeks.
..Oh. it is beautiful" she- whispered
But Charley, don't you think its rather
small y
"Well-yes-perhaps so; but what do
we want OF anything laryerY The bed room
up stairs is really good size, and"
But is there = bedroom on the ground
floor 7" asked Melicenr. anxiously.
"No; why?"
"For grandmamma, You know"
Mr.. Clares counteuance fell slightly At the
reference made to .'yrsndmamma."
Il have made no arrangements for your
grandmother. Milly"
"But Charley. she brought me up. Oh.
Charley, we can't settle down without her T.
I'VE can't settle down with her. you
mean ?" said Glare. imp=ratively. when
a man marries n girl he don't contract 10
support all the relatives she happens to have T.
II am all that graudmamma has" said lit
tie MIIy, her face ali agow. her eyes durkIy
corru-catIny '.Grandmamma has loved and
cherished me more years than you have and
| will not leave her to neg lect and suffering
in her old age"
every we'll, them" said Mr.. Clare, quiet
ly. at is settled"
And Grandmsnma kirke. sitting alone by
her FIRE. was astonished. s"mo five or ten
minutes later. by the sudden appsrition Of
little Milly fiuging herself upon her shoulder,
and sobbing most bitterly.
Grandm.nma Kirko listened to the poor
little girls story with odd working OF her
venerable features.
II don't ask this eacr6ce Of you. child,
said old Mrs. Kirke, s,rok,ng down the ius-
trous masses of dishevsled brown hair. az
dare say shall do well enough"
Milly looked up, lovingly and indignant
at the same time.
"Do you suppose could leave you. grand
mamma
Mr. Charlie. Glare was little surprised At
the turn events had taken it had never for
instant occurred to his mind that any girl
in her sober senses could prefer the society
of crook ed old woman 10 that OF himself
"Ske'll come to her senses after awhile"
vas the reflection with which he was csn~
soled. "All girls indulge in Mysteries now
and then, but il won't last long"
MIR. Glare, however, was destined to dis
appointment.
Engaged to frank Blnkssley!" he cried.
about six mouths subsequently. why, he's
been courting her this long tme-sending
her flowers and books. and music. and all
that sort of thing. And the old Witch of
End"r ia to live with them 1 suppose. l
wouldn'r have stood il !" went oG Glare,
growing more heated and angry a. he talked !;
..but Frank BIakesley never had any mind
Of his own. Well. wish 'em joy, that's all I"
And the tone of voice in which Mr.. Clare
spoke, indicated anything rather than the
benevolent aspirations showed forth by his
words.
Frank BIakesley and Melicent Kirke had
not been married more than a year when .
dark me..euger came to the door Of their
humble yet infinitely coutented littlo home
-Isr.ieeI, the mighty and relentless angel OF
death
you've been very kind to me. Frank and
Mily. said Granduamma Knke, "but it's
we'll nigh over now only wanted To live
long enough to see you. li,tle girl, confided to
the care of some gnod man who would value
her as she deserves, and I've 60. my wish -
And Grandmamma KiIke, whose old eyes
were growing dim. fumbled under her pillow
for the old calico work-bsg, with outlandish
little pocket, which. with its paraphernslis
of antique housewives. bodkins, scissors and
thimt les was her constant companion.
THE needle book. Milly." she said, faint
Iy; "look in the needle>book."
"But grandmamms, the leaves are all sewn
together"
'Cut them open. child but be careful
I'm going to give that needle book TO you,
Milly. 1t was one I bought when you we're
. wee baby. All my treasures belong to you j.,
child"
Frank BI,kesIey stood looking over his
vife's shoulder. as she obeyed the old lady's
behest. deity passing the scissors points be-
tween the flannel leaves, scoIloped and en-
broidered. and faded silks. which had once
boas,ed all the coIors of the rainbow. Sud-
denly he uttered an exclamation. and in the
same instant Milly dropped the scissors.
"Grandmamma, there ia money here ssved
to the inside of each leaf-thousand>dollar
notes!'
Grsndmamma Kirke smiled serenely.
"F1ow many. Milieent?"
"Tep. Grandm.mma."
Eyes. yes, ! thonght So" said the old
lady. noddine her head. ''It's AL right
tI.v vdr,