The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-08-19

walter" cried Mrs. Merevale, .'do
you stand calmly bv. and hear your
mother addressed thus?''
But Walter, too wise to commit him.
self, only leaned against the fireplace.
with his hands, in his POCKETS, and
whisIicd.
Settle it among yourselves" said
he. Suit yourselves, and you'll suit
me-"
Il will not stay here to be insulted,"
said Mrs. Merevale.
Il amt insulting you," said Florella
with provoking good humor. I'm only
telling you the truth"
'And my son, who ne-never would
have proposed to you if 1 ha-hadn't
advised him tor
That's what old people always say"
observed Florella. They think the
world would stop wagging around if
they didn't push the wheels"
Mrs. Merevale hurried sobbing out of
the room.
Il never was spoken to thus in all my
life," she said Historically. "Dear little
Judith Jay always treated me as if /
were a queen! Oh dear-oh dear!
what n dreadful mistake have NADER
While Walter and Florella, left alone
in the dark wainscoted parlor. looked
at each other, half awed, half delight
ed.
wasn't horrid?" said Florella in a
whisper.
Didn't know you could be such q
same soto Uoce.
s.Ila nor, che hoe bal
of it?" said FIorella.
"I-shOuld = say - that-she-had, 4"
very slowly replied Mr.. Merevale.
Half an hour subsequently Walter
found his mother weeping pitifully in
her own room-an elderly Niobe.
"Wny, mother, what's the matterP''
said he.
'It's that girlr' cried Mrs. Merevale
spltefully.
She's the very daughter-in-law you
selected for yourself" reasoned Walter;
isn't sheP'
"But l never suspected that she could
be such dragoness," faltered the poor
old lady. "Oh, why did 1 interfere!
What made me suppose that 1 knew
better than Providence didP"
''Do you think Judith Jay would suit
you better than Florella, mother?"
"Yes. a thousand timesr' said the un-
wary Mrs. Merevale. clasping her hands
eagerly.
"Well. then. mother, I'll tell you a
secret" said Walter. "Florella and
have only been doing little parlor-
drama in one act. We aren't engaged
at ALL Florella is to be married in the
spring to Captain Lee"
"And l wish him joy of herr said
Mrs. Merevale with rancor.
''And l shall never marry anybody
but Judith JAY" added Walter
judith is at least docile and ami.
able" said Mrs. Merevale.
But l thought l would let you see
how matters would work if you had
your own way about it." said Walter,
laughing, "And now, shall go and
bring Judith here?"
"Yes, Walter" said the old lady
meekly.
':As your future daughter-in-lawP"
''Yes, Walter"
The sun was just setting as Walter
rushed into the Jay cottage.
Come, Ju." he cried gleefully, ''it's
all right. I've honored my father anC
mother-or. at least all that's left o.
them-and they've had quite enough o
it Florella Winton has played Queer
Stork until my mother is thankful tc
come back to Queen Log. Come Ju
for better, for worse. for richer, fol
poorer"
walter, what do you mean?" saiC
Judith, her eyes still red and swollen.
Come up to The Place and see, ,
said Walter with calm exultation.
And little Judith Jay found herself
joyfuily received by her majestic moth
er-in-law-elect
81 don't know what l have done t.
deserve such happiness" said Judith il
a trembling voice.
"You have been self-sacrifcing littl,
darling" said Walter-''that's wha
| you have done"
|