The Mineral argus., 1885-01-22

II was chilly November night when
the train got into hampden.
Hampdsn was one Of those new N.
finished places which require the
brightest Of sunlight, the greatest
frame Of quivering leaves to make them
1t all presentsble. And in the gray,
incorporating medium Of the No
vember dusk Hampden looked dreary
enough, with the dark chimney Of the
new silk mill rising out Of the hemlock
woods, the staring Queen Annie depot.
the church, which bore strong family
resemblance to child's wooden toy,
and the stone quarry to the left, which
reminded the thoughtful looker-on
Of . gigantic fertilization in an un.
finished state.
"Humph!" said Mrs. Medley - she
looked around her. "A queer looking
place."
Her niece Phebe was there to meet
her with box wagon and . white
n0sed old horse.
Folks can't always choose where
they're to live," said Phebe, who Was
always in o state of antagonism 70 Mrs.
Medley, and Hampden is good enough
for me-"
"How is Philip" asked Mrs. Medley.
"Philip in well," said Phel'e, - she
helped the depot boy to hoist Aunt Ned
leys's trunk into the wagon.
Philip Barrow was Mrs. Nedley's TO-
vorite nephew. She had paid his bills
at school, superintended his fortunes
and finally purchased for him share
in the new silk mills.
"He's all I've got,' said Mrs. Medley,
except Phebe, and PhelDe and I never
did hitch horses together. And want
him to succeed in the world"
But within few days new claimant
had arisen to Aunt Nedleys protection
and tender consideration.
"To he sure, she is no relation to me, T"
said Mrs. Medley. "But her mother
was my dearest friend, and l think !
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
kind letter to the girl, inviting her to
the East for visit.
IF you like it, my dear, there need
he no occasion for your going back,
she wrote. I'VE are both alone.
Let us be companions to one snoth.
er."
She had waited and waited, and no
reply had arrived, and while she waited
. plan had developed itself in her
mind.
IF she is her mothers daughter she
can't help cling pretty" said Mrs. Ned
ley. "Phil is handsome lad. She shall
marry Phil"
And this explains Mrs. Nedley's pres.
ence at Hampton.
II suppose you are still keeping
house for Philip" said she to Phebe,
as they drove along in the chill twi-
light.
"No." said Phebe. skillfully guiding
the old horse down steep place in the
road.
"He boards, eh?" said Mrs. Medley.
"No he don't board, " answered Phebe;
Ibis wife keeps house for him.
"What? ?" said Mrs. Medley.
"He il married." announced Phebe,
very much in the tone in which she
might have said. 1T is cold evening""
or, "the train is late"
"Philip married." remcated the old
lady married! Stop, Phebe; don't
drive step further! Turn around 1t
once. Take me back to the station. Ill
return to Concord"
"Ain't you going to see Phillip"
asked Phele.
"Not il he's married." ans wered Mrs.
Medley, in a checked voice.
Hes got q proper nice wife, pleaded
Phebe. you'll like her."
"No, shant." said Mrs. Medley.
Philip married. Phebe, il you don't
turn around I'll get out and walk"
Mrs. Neilev's will was like adamant
and Phebe Barrow was forced to sue
cumb TO it.
And 50 it happened that Phebe and
the white nosed pony arrived, solitary
and alone, at the little cottage of the
mill superintendent half an hour later.
Phil.came out into the porch. carrying
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 my aunt" said Phil, as
Phobe jumped ont Didn't she
Gomez"
"She came" said Phebe CURLY; but
she's gone back again"