The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-02-13
WITHOUT HER CONSENT.

1t was chilly November night when
the train got to Hampden.
Hampden was one of those new, un-
finished places which require the bright
est of sunlight, the greenest frames of
quivering leaves to make them at all
presentable. And in the gray, uncom-
promising medium of the November
dusk Hampden looked dreary enough,
with the dark chimney of the new silk
mill rising out of the hemlock woods,
the staring Queen Anne depot the
church, which bore a strong family re-
semblance to child's wooden toy, and
the stone quarry to the left. which re-
minded the thoughtful looker-on of a
gigantic fertilization in al unfinished
state.
'Humph" said Mrs. Medley. as she
looked around her. "a queer place"
Her niece Phebe was there to meet her
with box wagon and white -nosed old
horse.
"Foiks can't always choose where
they're to live," said Phebe, who was
always in state of antagonism to Mrs.
Medley, land Hampden is good enough
for me-"
How is Philip" asked Mrs. Medley.
Philip is well, said Phebe, as she
helped the depot boy to hoist Aunt Ned
1ey's trunk into the wagon.
Philip Barrow was Mrs. Ncdlev's ia.
vorite nephew. She had paid his bills
at school, superintendent his fortunes and
finally purchased a share for him in the
new silk mills
" He's all I've got" said Mrs. Medley,
Except Phebe, and Fhebe and | never
did hitch horses together. And want
him to succeed in the world"
But within few days new claimant
had arisen to Aunt Nedley's protection
and tender consideration.
"To be sure, she is no relation 10
me, said Mrs. Nedly. but her
mother was my dearest friend, and |
think will adopt her for my sake"
And 1t was scarcely an hour from the
time in which she learned that Sylvia
Gray was on orphan that she wrote
Kind letter to the girl asking her to come
to the East for visit.
If you like it, my dear, there need
be no occasion for Your going back, she
wrote. I'VE are both alone. Let she
companions to one another"
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
cam help being pretty said Mrs. Ned
ley. phil is Il handsome lad. She
shall marry Philm
And this explains Mrs. Ncdley's pres
ence at lIamdcn.
81 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 a steep place in the
road.
Gle boards, eh?" said Mrs. Medley.
"No, he don't board" answered
Phebe, His wife keeps house for
him.
WHAT" said Mrs. Medley.
"lle is married." announced Phebe,
very much in the tone in which she
might have said: 'It's cold evening, ="
or the train is late"
"Philip married." 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"
"Ain,t you going to see Philippe
asked Phebe.
Not if he's married, answered Mrs.
Medley in choked voice.
=" He's got proper, nice wife,
pleaded Phebe. "lou'll like her."
'.No, | shan't," answered Mrs. Ned
ley. "Philip-marricd. Phebe, if YOU
don't turn around, I'll get out and
walk
Mrs. Nedley's will was like adamant,
and Phebe Barrow was forced to succumL
to it.
And so it happened that Phebc 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, carving
lamp in mis- hand.
Mrs. Phil ran after him, with a pink
apron tied around her trim waist and
her brown fringe of hair blowing back
from her forehead.
Where's my auntW said Phil, as
Phcbe jumped out. " Didn't she Gomez
" She came, ;" said Phebe, CURLY; "but
she's gone back again"
Gone back againl"
eyes. She didn't like it because
you've married; SO she's gone back by
the S ;06 train"
"Oh, Phil" cried Mrs. Barrow, who
was around, cherry checked little woman,
with soft, hazel eyes and a mouth like q
rosebud. "What shall we dol Why
didn't you consult her before you mar
ried me2"
Phil Barrow broke into great laugh
"My dear" said he, lit wasn't he
consent wanted; it was yours"
sob! But Phil, she has done so much
for you
'She's good soul, but she's eccentric,
aid the mill superintendent. $50 in
PheGe, and get your tea"
"Im sure / can't eat a mouthful,
said Mrs. Phil, despairingly. "And tn