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

Don't fret, DEAR" said Phil, my
Aunt Medley has missed very good
supper; that can tell her"
But I've blghted your future!"
said Mrs. Barrow, tragically Selling
the sugar tongs.
"We'l go to Concord tomorrow
and see the old lady" soothed Phil.
''She must surrender if she sees you,
WHEY"
Pnebe chuckled grimly.
''That's all very well," said she,
"but you forget that an old lady and
a young man don't look at girl with
the same eyes"
Hold your tongue, Phebe," said
the mill superintendent. Where's
the use of always croaKing?"
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 Ned
ley's face was steadfastIy turned to-
ward Concord.
Her own Preside 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, smoky and helf cold,
was served, and Mrs. Medley was just
resolving to go to be, when Betsey
brought a letter.
''Postman, mum, he left it a week
ago. said she. 'It had fell down
back Of the letter box"
"Ah," said Mrs. Medley, fitting on
her spectacIes and 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 every body crazy to get mar
ried, wonder? And she hopes I'll
excuse her, but her husband think
Folly and nonsense What is her
husband to me? Betsey, my chamber
candle!"
"Bless me, ma'anI' said Betsy.
"What has happenedg"
"Everything!" said Mrs. Medley.
Don't let me be called before s O'Clock
tomorrow morning. I almost wish
that could go to sleep and sleep for
everW
And Mrs. Medley, in the silence
and solitude of her own room, fell to
thinking 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"
''I loved Philip" she said, ''and I
had set my heart on Silvia Gray
and such a match as it would have
beenr
She was sitting at her luncheon the
next day, with the cockatoo on one
side of her and the poodle on the
other, when Betsy opened the door.
"Please, a'am, said Betsy, "com-
pany."
Betsy" said Mrs. Medley, severely,
Il told you I was not at home to any
body to day!'
"Please ma'am," giggled Betsy, 'he
would come IMP
WHO would come in?" said Mrs.
Medley.
Its 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, !"
sain Mrs. Phil, putting up the rose,
bud 1ips-''for my mother's sake?"
"FhP" said Mrs. Medley.
Didn't you get my letter?' said
Philips wife.
''Latter!"
Mrs. Medley vas more convinced
thar ever now that she was asleep
and dreaming.
ST wrote you all about it, said Mrs.
Phil. Don't you know9 [ am
Silvia Gray. [ met Philip when he
came out to Denver to look at the
new mill machinery, and he would
be married Immediately. He said he
was sure you would forgive him
Will you forgive him, Aunt Nedley?'
Eyes, my dear, I WILL" said Mrs.
Medley, her face frightening up like
the full moon peeping through mist
wreaths. But why didn't they tell
me you were Silva Gray?"
"Phihp 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 sleptin the pretty pink and white
bedroom which Silvia had prepared
for her with so much pains, and she
praised Silvia's chicken salad and
prune pies, and she even condescended
to approve of Phebe's half completed
silk Counterpart; for life was all
cOuleu' de rose for her now.
It is a great thing for woman of
Mrs. Nedley's age to have her own
way.