River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-12-25
where's the use

mill superintendent. "Where's the use
of always croakingl"
And then Mrs. Phil began to laugh,
and Phebe, who, after her grabbed
fashion, was fond of her pretty Young
sister-in-law, laughed also; and after all
the dainty little supper was eaten and
enjoyed, even though Aunt Medley
face was steadfastlly turned toward Con.
cord.
Her own fireside had never seemed
so solitary as it did upon that Novem.
Der night.
The maids, gossiping in the kitchen.
were called upon to rekindle the dead
fire. The tea, smoky and half cold,
was served, and Mrs. Nedlv was Just
resolving to go to bed, when Betsy
brought letter.
'Postman, mum, he left it week
ago, said she. 1T had fell down back
of the letter box"
"Ah," said Mrs. Nedly, fitting on her
spectacles aud scrutinizing the seal and
directions, from Silvia Grayl Now ]
shall have some one to love in Philips
place."
But she had not read three lines be-
fore she flung the letter Indignantly on
the sulking fire.
MARRIED." she exclaimed. "That
child Is everybody crazy to get mar
ried, wonder? And she hopes I'll ex-
cuse her, but her husband think Folly
and nonsensei What is her husband
to me? Betsy, my chamber candle!"
BLESS me, ma'am!" said Betsy.
"What has happened?"
Everything" said Mrs. Medley.
"Dont let me be called befors o'clock
tomorrow morning. i almost wish
that could go to sleep and sleep for
ever!"
And Mrs. Medley in the silence and
solitude of her own room, fell to think
ing to what charitable institution she
could leave her money.
With the Psalmist Of old she could
earnestly have cried; vanity of vanity
all is vanity"
II loved Philip" she said, "and had
set my heart on Silvia Gray-and such
a match as it would have beeni"
She was sitting at her luncheon next
day, with the cockatoo on one side of
her and the poodle on the other, when
Betsy opened the door.
please, ma'am," said Betsy, ''com-
pany."
Betsy" said Mrs. Medley, severely,
81 told you / was not at home to any
body to-day!"
"Please ma'am," giggled Betsy. che
would come in"
"Who would come in?" said Mrs
Medley.
''Pts me, Aunt Medley" said Philip
Barrow, land my wife. Don't be
vexed."
The tall young mill superintendent
came in with his pretty wife hanging on
his arm.
won't you kiss me, Aunt Medley"
said Mrs. Phil. putting up the rosebud
hps-''for my mothers sake?"
'Eh?" said Mrs. Medley.
'Didn't you get my letter." said
Philips wife.
letter.
Mrs. Medley was more convinced
than ever now that she was asleep and
dreaming.
81 wrote you all about it" said Mrs.
Phil. Don't you know? I am Silvia
Gray. met Philip when he came out
to denver TO look at the new mill ma
chinery, and he would be married in
mediately. He said he was sure you
would forgive him. VIII you forgive
him Aunt Nedley?"
'lYes, my dear, WILL" said Mrs.
Medley, her face Frightening up like the
full moon peeping through mist wreaths.
''But why didn't they tell me you We're
Silvia Gray?"
"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 and white bed
room which Silvia had prepared for
her with SO much pains; and she prais-
ed Silvia's chicken salad and prune
pies, and she even condescended to APP
prove of Phebe's half completed silk
Counterpart for life was all couleur de
rose for her now
1t is a great thing for woman of
Mrs. Nedley's age to have her own way.