Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1884-11-29
A LOVE MATCH.
BY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

II was chilly November evening
when the train got into Hampden.
Hampden was one of those new, un-
finished places which require the bright
est of sunlight, the greenest frame OF
ouiyerine.:leaves to make it at all present
able. And in the gray, uncompromising
medium of the November dusk Hamp-
den looked dreary enough, with the dark
chimney of the new silk mill rising out
of the hemlock woods. the staring Queen
Anne depot, the church, which bore a
strong resemblance to child's wooden
toy, and the stone quarry to the left,
which reminded the thoughtful locker
on of a gigantic fortifcation in an un-
finished state.
"Humph 7" said Mrs. Medley, as she
looked around her. "a queer placev'
Her niece, Phebe, was there to meet
her. with box wagon and white-nosed
oldhorse.
"Folks can't always choose where
they've to live," said Phebe, who was
always in state of antagonism to Mrs.
Medley "And Hampden is good enough
for mep
"How is Phiiip?' said Mrs. Medley.
"Philip is WE'LL" said Phebe, as she
helped the deoot boy to hoist Aunt Ned
ley's trunk into the wagon.
Philip Barrow was Mrs. Nedley's ia
vorite nephew. She had paid his bills
at school, superintended his fortunes,
and finally purchased for him share in
the new sill mills.
He's all I've got" said Mrs. Medley,
Except Phebe, and Phebe and l never
did bitch horses together. And want
him 10 succeed in the world"
But within few days a new claimant
had arisen to Aunt Nedley's protection
and tender consideration.
ITO be sure she is no relation to me-"
said Mrs. Medley. But her mother was
my dearest friend, and 1 think I will
adopt her for my sake'"
And it was scarcely an hour from the
time in which she learned that Silvia
Grey was an orphan that she wrote a
kind letter to the girl, inviting her to
come to the Fast for visit.
"Ifyou like it, my dear, there need be
no occasion for your going back" she
wrote. "We are both alone. Let us be
companions to one another"
She had waited and waited, and no
reply had arrived; and while she waited
aplan had developed itself in her mind.
"If she is her mothers daughter, she
can't help being pretty" said Mrs. Ned
ley. "Phil is handsome lad. She
shall marry Philip
And this explains Mrs. Nedley's pres
ence at Hampden.
II suppose you are still keeping house
for Philip" said she to Phebe, as they
drove along in the chill twilight.
"No," said Phebe, skillfully guiding
the old hors, down steep place in the
road
He boards, chr" said Mrs. Medley.
mo, he don't board" answered Phebe.
His wife keeps house for him."
"What?" said Mrs. Medley.
He is married." announced Phebe,
very much in the tone in which she
might have said at is a cold evening"
or "The train was late"
Philip maIriedp repeated the old
iady-married! Stop. Phebe-don't
drive step further! Turn back at once.
Take me back to the station. I'll return
to Concord"
Amt you going to see Philip" asked
Phebe.
Not if he's married." answered Mrs,
Medley, in choked voice.
He's got proper, nice wife," pleaded
Phebe. you'll like her."
mo, 1 shan'tr' said Mrs. Medley
Philip-married. Phebe, if you don't
turn around I'll get out and walk p
Mrs. Nedley's will was like adamant
ana Phebe Barrow was forced tosuccumh
toit.