The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1885-03-07
Above MATCH.

C'illE ICtlNCo W HINT t'lcIlk tt all pltoCIIR
bic. And il the gray, uncompromisng
medium of the November dusk Hamp>
den looked dreary enough, with the chims
ney of the new silk mill rising out Of the
hemlock woods, the staring Queen Ann
depot, the church, which bore a strong
family resemblance to q childs wooden
toy, and the stone quar-. to the left
which reminded the thoughtful locker on
of a gigantic fertilization in an unfinished
state.
''Humphr' said Mrs. Medley, as she
looked around her "A queer place
Her niece Phebe was there to meet her
with box wagon and Whiteno, I'd old
horse.
Folks can't always choose where
they re to live" said Phebe who was all
ways IN state of antagonism to Mrs
Medley, 'and Hampden is good enough
for me-"
How is Philip asked Mrs. Medley
philip is well, said Pbebe, as she
helped the depot boy to hoist Aunt Ned
ley's Il unk into the wagon
Phlip Barrow was Mrs. Ncdley's fav-
orite nephew She had paid his bills at
school, super.ntended F'S fortunes. and
finally purchased a sh""e for him in the
new silk mills.
''des al L got, said Mrs, Medley,
except Phebe, and Phcbe and never
did hitch horses together. Aud | want
him to su" ICED in The world
But within few days q new claimant
had arisen to Aunt Nedley'S protection
and consideration.
ITO be sure, she is no relation to me, 3"
said Mrs. Medley. But her mother was
my dearest friend, and think " II adopt
her For her sake.
And it was scarcely an hour from the
time in which she learned that Sylvia
Gray was an orphan that she wrote kind
letter to the girl, Inviting her to come TO
the east for visit.
IF you like it, my deer, there need be
no occasion for your going back" She
wrote. I'VE are both alone, Let US be
companions 10 one another"
She had waited and waited, and no re
ply had arrived; and while she waited a
planshad developed itself in her mind.
If sne is her mothers daughter she
can't help heing pretty Said Mrs. Ned
ley. Phil is handsome lad. She shall
mary Philr'
And this explains Mrs. Nedley's pres
ence at Hampden.
81 suppose you are still keeping house
for Philip said she to Phebc, as they
drove along in the chill twilight.
No, said Pnebe, skillfully guiding the
old horse down steep place IN the road
''He boards, eh?' said Mrs. Medley.
mo he don't board. answered Phcbe,
''his wife keeps house for hm."
WHAT said Mrs. Medley.
"He is married. announced TIebe,
very much in the tone in which she might
have said 1T is a cold evening or The
train is late"
Philip married" repeated the old lady
married! Sop, Phebe, don't drive a
step further! Turn around at once. Take
me back to the station. I'll return TO
Conc ord".
Amt you going to see Pbilip." asked
Phebe
Not if he's married, answered Mrs e.
Medley, in checked voice.
Hes got proper, nice wife, pleaded
Phebe. You'll like her.
mo, shan't, said Mrs Medley, Phi,
ip-married Phebe, If you don't Turn
around III get out and walk"
Mrs Nedley's will was Ike adamant
and Phebc Barrow was forced to succuma
to it.
And so it happened that Phebe and the
white nosed pony arrived solitary and
alone, at the little cottage Of the mill SUI
perintendent half an hour later,
Dill 1T
lamp in his hand
Ms Phil ran after him. with pinb
apron tied around her tim waist aud hel
brown fringe Of hair blowing back from
her forehead.
Where's my aunt? sad Phil, rs Pheb,
jumped out Didn't she come
"Sbe came, said Phebc curly; "bu
she's gone back again.
Gone back again?"
Yes. She didn't like it because you've
got married; 50 she's gone back by th'
SOC train
"Oh, Philp cried Mrs. Barrow, VIII,
was a round, CHEEKY checked little woman
with soft, hazel eyes and a mouth like
rosebud. What shall we do. Why didn'
you consult her before you married me?
Phil Barrow broke into great laugh
My dear, sad he, ut wasn't her con
sent l wanted, it was yours"
"0l but Phil, she has done 50 much fol
you"
"Shes a good soul, but she's ccccntr.c,
said the mill superintendent. Go in
Phebe, and get your tea.
I'm sure cant eat mouthful," saiC
Mrs Phil, despairingly. And the bis
cults / mixed myself; and the fried chick
en-, and the White Mountain cake-oh
Phil; oh, Phil"
Don't fret, dear, said Phil, my Aun
Medley has missed very good supper
that | can tell her
"But I've blighted your future" sal
Mrs. Barrow, traglcaly Selling the sugo
tongs
"WeIl go to Concord tomorrow an
see the old lady" soothed Phil. Ssh
must surrender If she sees you, wiley.
Phebe chuckled grimly.
That's all very well, said she, "bu
you forget that an old lady and a youn
man don't look at a girl with the sam
eyes"
"Hold your tongue, Phebe,, said til
mill superintendent. what the use {
always croakingr'
And then Mrs. Philip began to laugh
and Phebe, who, after her Grabbed fasl
ion, was fond of her pretty young sister
in-law, laughed also; and, after ali, th
dainty little supper was eaten and EMO.
ed, even though Aunt Nedley's face W,
steadfastly turned toward Concord.
Her own fireside had never seemed S
solitary and dreary as it did upon th
November night.
The maids, gossiping in the kitche
were called upon to rekindle the dead fir
The tea, smoky and half cold, was serves
and Mrs. Medley was just resolving to {
to bed when Betsy brought letter.
''Postman, mum, he left it week ago
said she 1T fell down back of the lie
L