The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1885-03-18


Phil Barrow broke into great laugh.
my dear" said he, at wasn't her
consent wanted; it was yours"
"Ohi But Phil, she has done so much
for you"
''she'sa good soul, but she IS eccentric, n
said the mill superintendent. "G0 in,
Phebe, and get your tea"
TIN sure l can't eat inouthfui, ("
said Mrs; Phil, despairingly. "And the
biscuits l mixed myself; and the fried
chicken, and the White mountain cake
oh, Phil oh, PHILIP
"Don't fret, dear said Phil, ''my
Aunt Medley has missed d very good sup
per; that ! can tell her,"
But I've blighted your future" said
Mrs. Barrow, tragically Selling the
sugar tongs.
Wen go to Concord tomorrow and
see the old lady," soothed Phil. She
must surrender if she sees you, WHEY"
Phebe chuckled grimly.
That's all very we'll, said she, ''but
you forget that an old lady and young
man don't lo'siS at girl with the same
eyes,
Hold your tongue, Phebe," said the
of always croaking2"
And then Mrs Phi began to laugh,
and Phebe, who after her Grabbed
fashion, was fond cf her pretty young
sisterin-law, laughed also; and, after all
the dainty little supper was eaten and
enjoyed, even though Aunt Nedley's
face was steadfastly turned toward pm
cord.
Her own fireside had never seemedso
solitary and dreary as it, did upon that
November night.
The maids, gossiping in the kitchen,
were called upon to rekindle the dead fire.
The tea, splolp and half cold, was
served, and Mrs. Medley was just re-
solving TO go to bed when Betsey
brought letter.
''Pc stman, mum; he left it week
ago, !" said she. ut had fallen down
back of the letter box"
''Ah," said Mrs Medley, fitting on her
spectacles and scrutinizing the seal and
directions 'from Silvia Grayl Now l
shall have some one to love in Philips
piace;n
But she had not read three lines before
she flung tie letter Indignantly on the
sulking tire.
Married !" she exclaimed "That
child Is everybody crazy to get married,
wonder9 And she hopes I'll excuse
her, but her husband thinks-folly and
nonsensei What is her husband to me9
Betsy, my chamber candlep'
"Bless me, ma'amw said Betsy.
"What has happened2"
'Everythingl" said Mrs. Medley.
Don't let me be called before eight
o'clock tomorrow morning almost wish
that could go to sleep and sleep forever" "
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 vanities,
all is vanity"
~ loved Philip" she said, 'and 1
had set my heart on Silvia-and such q
match it would have beenp
She was sitting at her luncheon the
next day, with the cockatoo on one side
of her and the poodle on the other2 when
Betsy opened the door.
''Pleass, ma'am," said Betsy, ''com-
pany."
Betsy said Mrs Medley, severely,
~ told you Twas not at home to anybody
to-day"
PLEASE ma'am," giggled Betsy, che
would come in"
"Who would come in2" said Mrs.
Medley.
'Tt's me, Aunt Medley" said Philip
Barrow, 'and my wife. Don't be vexed.n
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 her rosebud
lips-"for my mothers sakes"
"Eh2" said Mrs. Medley.
Didn't you get my letter." said
Philips wife.
"Lotter2"
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 know2 l am Silvia
Gray. | met Philip when he came out
to Denver to look at the new mill ma
chinery, and he would be married inn
mediately. He said he was sure you
would forgive him. win you forgive
him, Aunt Nedley"
"Yes, my dear; l will, 4" said Mrs.
Medley, fher face Frightening up like the
full moon peeping through mist wreaths;
"but why didn't they tell nee you were
Silvia Grayl"
"Philip wanted to surprise you, said
Silva, hanging her head.
,f'Well, he has surprised me-" said
Aunt 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 praised
Sllvia's chicken salad and prune pies,
and she even condescended TO approve
of Phebe's half-completed silk counter
pane; for life was all couleur de rose for
her now.-F. Marion Craoford.