Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-01-15
A LOVE MATCH.

when the train got into Hampden.
Hampden was one of those now I'M
finished places, which require the
brightest Of sunlight, the greenest
frame Of Guivering leaves to make
them at all presentable. And in the
gray, uncompromising medium of the
November dusk Hampden looked
dreary enough, with the dark chin
ney Of the new silk mill rising out of
the hemIock woods, the staring Queen
Anne depot, the church, which bore a
strong family resemblance to child's
wooden toy, and the stone quarry to
the left, which reminded the thought
full looker-on of a gigantic fortifca-
ton in an unfinished state.
''Humphl' said Mrs Medley, as she
looked around her. GA queer place. :"
Her niece, Phebe, was there to meet
her with q box wagoA and white
nosed old horse.
''Folks can't always choose where
they're 10 live" said Phebe, who was
always in a state of antagonism to
Mrs. Medley, land Hampden is good
enough for me.
GLOW is Philip?" asked Mrs. Ned
ley:
helped the depot boy to hoist Aunt
Nedley's trunk into the wagon.
Philip Barrow was Mrs. Nedley's
favorite nephew. She had paid his
bill at school, superintendent his for
tunes, and faally purchased for him
a share Ia the new silk mills.
Hes all I've got" said Mrs. Ned
ley, except Phebe, and Phebe and I
never did bitch horses together And
[ want him to succeed in the world"
But within few days ney claim
ant had arisen to Aunt Nedley's
protection and tender consideration.
''To be sure, she is no relation to
me-" said Mrs. Medley. "BUt her
mother was my dearest friend, and I
think I will adopt her for my sake
And it was scarcely an hour from
the time in which she learned that
Silvia Gray was an orphan that she
wrote q kind letter to the girl, in
vitlng her to come to the East for a
visit.
eff you like 1t my dear, there need
be no occasion for 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 a plan had developed itself in
her mind.
''If she is her mothers daughter,
she can't help being pretty, said Mrs.
Medley. Phil is handsome lad.
She shall marry Phill'
And this explains Mrs. Nedley's
presence at Hampton.
81 suppose you are still keeping
house for PHILIPPE" SAID she to Phebe,
as they drove along in the chill twi-
light.
mo" said Phebe, skillfully guild
ing the old horse down a steep place
in the road.
''He boards, en?n said Mrs. Ned
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, SIT is a cold even
ing" or, ''the tram is late"
"Philip marriedr' repeated the old
lady married Stop, Phebe; don't
drive step further Turn around 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.
Hes got a proper, nice wife, ;"
pleaded Phebe. You'll like her."
mo, I shan't" said Mrs. Medley
''Philip-married Phebe, if you
don't turn around I'll get out and
walk"
Mrs. NedIey's will was like ada
mant, and Phebe Barrow. was forced
to succumb TO it.
And so it happened that Phebe and
the white-nosed poney arrived, solitary
and alone, at the little cottage of the
mill superintendent half an hour
later.
Phil. came out into the porch, car
ryina a lamp in his hand.
Mrs. Phil. ran after him, with pink
apron tied around her trim waist, and
her brown fringe of hair blowing
back from her forehead.
where's mr. aunt9" said Phil. as
Phebe jumped out. Didn't she
Gomez"
'.She came" said Phebe CURLY; "but
she's gone back again"
"Gone back again.
Eyes. She didn't like it because
you got married; so she's gone back
on the sos train"
ooh, Philip cried Mrs. Barrow,
who was a round, cherry checked lit
tie woman, with soft, hazel eyes and
mouth like rosebud. What shall
we de? Why didn't you consult hel
before you married me?'
Phil. Barrow broke into great
laugh.
'sMy DEAR" said he, lit wasn't hel
consent wanted it was yours"
''Oh! But, Phil, she has Gone sc
much for YOU"
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