Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-11-29

Philip came out into the porch, carry
ing lamp in his hand.
Mrs. Phil rar after him with a pink
apron tied around her trim waist, and
her brown fringe of hair blowing back
from her forehead.
"Where's my aunt?" said Phil, as
Pbebe jumped out. didn't she Gomez"
"She came" said Phebe, curtly; "but
she's gone back again."
"Gone back again?"
"Yes. She didn't like it because you've
got married, 80 she's gone back by the
eight-six train"
"Oh, PHILIP cried Mrs. Barrow, who
was a round, cherry-cheeked little wo-
man, with soft, hazel eyes and a mouth
ike "a red rosebud. "What shall we do?
Why didn't you consult her before you
married me?"
Phil Barrow broke into a great laugh.
"My DEAR" he said, "it wasn't her con-
Sent wanted. it was yours"
"Oh |! But, Phil, she has doneso much
for you"
ashes a good soul, but she's eccentric"
said the mill superintendent. go in,
Phebe, and get your tea
I'm sure can't eat mouthful," said
Mrs. Phil, despairingly. "And the bis
cults l mixed myself; and the fried
chicken; and the White Mountain cake
oh, Phil! oh, Phil %
sgnn,,Jf frat Iao riJ, coiI phiI. Sr,, Anpf
Medley has missed very good supper;
that can tell her."
"But I've blighted your future u said
Mrs. Barrow, tragically seizing the sugar
tongs.
"We1l go to Concord tomorrow and
see the old lady," soCthed Phil. She
must surrender when she sees you,
wiley |"
''Phebe chuckled grimly.
"That's all very WE'LL" said she, "but
you forget that an old lady end young
man don't look at a girl with the same
eyes"
Hold your tongue, Phebe p said the
mill superintendent. Where's the use
of always croaking?"
And then Mrs. Phil began to laugh,
and Phebe, who, after her grabbed fash
ion, was fond of her pretty young sister
in-law, laughed also. And, after all, the
dainty little supper was eaten and en-
joyed, even though Aunt Nedley's face
was stea6fastly turned toward Concord.
Her own fireside had never seemed so
solitary and dreary as it did upon that
November night.
The maids, gossiping in the kitchen,
were called up to rekindle the dead fire
The tea, srnoky and half cold, was sery-
ed, and Mrs. Medley was just resolving
to go to bed, when Betsey brought let
ter.
"Postman, mum, he left it a week ago.
said she. 'It rad fell down back of the
letter-box." "--- ---..--
"Ah," said Mrs, Medley. fitting on her
spectacles and scrutinizing the seal and
directions, from Silvia Grayl Now |
shall have some one to love in Philips
placew
But she had not read three lines before
she flung the letter Indignantly on the
sulking fire.
"Married!' she exclaimed. That
child Is everybody crazy to get mar
ried, wonder? Aud she hopes III ex-
cnse her, but her husband thinks Folly
and nonsense! What is her husband to
me? Betsey, my chamber candle w
Bless me, ma'amw said Betsey.
"W q at has happened?"
"Everything" said Mrs. Medley.
"Don't let me be called before s o'clock
tomorrow morning. aimest wish that
l could go to sleep and sleep foreverp
And Mrs Medley, in the silence and
solitude of her own room. fell to think
ing to what charitable institution she
would leave her money.
With the Psalmist of old she could
earnestly have cried, VANITY of vanities,
all is vanity p
81 loved Philip" she said, "and had
set my heart on Silvia Grey-and such
match as it would have been %
She was sitting at her luncheon the
next day, with the cockatoo on one side
of her and the poodle on the other, when
Betsey opened the door.
please, ma'am," said Botsey, "com-
pany."
"Betsey," said Mrs. Medley, severely,
81 told you / was not at home to any
body today"
Please, ma'am," giggled Betsey, "he
would come inw
"Who would come in?" said Mrs Ned
icy.
ats me, Aunt Medley" said Philip
Barrow, "and my wife. Don't be vexedp
The tall young mill superintendent
came in, with his pretty wife leaning on
his arm.
won't you kiss me, Aunt Medley"
said Mrs. Phil, putting up the rosebud
| lips-"for my mothers sake?"
"Eh?" said Mrs. Medley.
didn't you get my letter." said
Philips wife.
"Letterp
Mrs. Medley was more convinced than
ever now that she was asleep and dream
ing.
Il wrote you all about it," said Mrs.
Phil. "Don't YOU know? am Silvia
Grey. / met Philip when he came out
to Denver to look at the new mill ma
chinery, and he would be married i'm
mediately. He said he was sure you
would forgive hin. Will you forgive
him, Aunt Nedley?"
"Yes, my dear, WILL" said Mrs. Ned
ley, her face frightening up like the full
moon peeping through mist-wreaths.
But why didn't they tell me YOU were
Silvia Grey?" -.
Philip wanted to surprise you," said
Silvia, hanging her head.
"Well, he has surprised me-" said Mrs.
Medley.
She went back to Hampden with the
mill superintendent and his wife, and
slept in the pretty pink-aud-wh hite bed
room which Silvia had prepared for her
Il 81 Oh