Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1884-01-03
Mrs. Price Hayden. :" said the young

| woman.
''Not--the Widow Hayden?' cried
Mr.. Lynn, unable to reconcile this bright
apparition with the frequent description
which the dear departed Selma had
| given him of his mothers dearest friend
and confidante.
81 am a widow" confessed the young
lady. ''But, perhaps, not the widow
you were expecting My mother-in-
law is just starting for Western trip,
and could not come to take charge of
your household. And she thought that
perhaps could manage until she re-
| turns. am very fond of children-and
| have had some experience in the care
of a home. And" she added, taking
courage at the softening expression of
Mr.. Lynns countenance, please, please
don't send me back, if / can possibly
suit you, because my mother-in-law is
so cross and exacting, and / would al
most rather go into domestic service
than to return to her. And | am desti-
tute and must earn my living some
where"
"Oh, there is no sort of doubt about
that" said Mr.. Lynn, with astonishing
prorhpitude. pray, let me assist you
into the beech-cart, Mrs. Hayden. 1t
was very good of you to come to me in
my perplexity. hope you are not very
much fatigued with your Journey"
Mrs. Price Hayden-or the Widow
Junior, as Mr.. Lynn mischievously nick
named her in his secret heart proved
herself equal TO the emergency. Under
her quiet and transformations rule, all
n
wants relapsed into their proper places
the children became obedient and gen.
tle-and Philip Lynn, with deep sense
of relief, recognized the change, al
though he could scarcely comprehend it,
And when the year of mourning was up
he asked the Widow Hayden if she could
be contented to remain there perma-
nently?
lis it true?'' said she, with trimming
eyes, ''that you are to be married
again?"
at is quite true-yesn'
care you not contented hereP''
"Oh, yes-yesn'
"And the children?''
They are darlingsr' cried the widow
enthusiastically. at would break my
heart to leave themr'
Then why will you not stayP" gently
whispered Philip.
Because" said Mrs. Hayden, "your
new wife would perhaps object, and"
THAT is for you to decide" said Mr..
Lynn. Because, dearest, YOU are the
only woman whom | would ever care
to marry. And ify you will remain here,
as my wife. it shall be my life's study
to make you happy!
Mrs. Pilchard was not pleased when
she heard that her son-in-law was ac-
tually contemplating matrimony for the
third time
''But if he is to marry a sensible and
mature woman like Betsy HAYDEN
she said, things won't be so bad; and
what's that, Melissa? A lady to see
me?'
And in bounced the genuine Widow
Hayden, with rage and wrath depicted |
on her countenance.
Have you heard,'' she shrieked, |
THAT Philip Lynn is to marry my son
Price widow? | never heard of any, !
thing so ridiculous in all my life! He! |
with his wife dead only year! and she |
not widow for three years yet! And |
never even TO ask my advicer'
Mrs. Pilchard grew pale. Then there
was another widow in the case-and all |
her precautions had been in vain
Its an outrage on civilization" said |
she. Il do think there ought to be a
law to prevent such atrocities!'
But this thing was done, and it
couldn't be undone. And as long as
Mr.. Lynn and his golden-haired bride
were satisfied, it did not matter so very
much what Mrs. Pilchard and the |
genuine Widow Hayden thought about
it.-Shirley Browne.