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

~
hanging down her head. II know Wal
ter dear. that l am not good enough
for you. Your mother is quite right
when she says l am an Insignificant
country girl with no accomplishments
at all.
But it isn't my mother, so far as
you," said Walter with imperturbable
gravity.
That don't signify" said poor Ju-
dith, swallowing the big lump in her
throat, not without difficulty. II have
resolved not to be the bone of conten-
ton between mother and son. Dear,
dear Walter, it breaks my heart to give
you up, but"
"'For richer. for poorer, for better,
for worse, repeats Merevale. Don't
that include the mother-in-law question,
Ju?"
'.But have not yet taken those awful
VOWS upon me, Walter" said Judith,
with an awe-stricken expression of
cOuntenance.
''And you will give me upP"
''Yes, Walter" in very low voice.
Suppose decline to be given up?"
.Oh, Walterr'
Suppose 1 sue you for breach of
promiseP"
'.But you never would do that
'.But you love me, Ju, don't you?"
''lf / didn't Walter, l could never
place your welfare before my own hap
piness, as l am doing now," sighed
Judith.
Il don't want any such appalling
heroism as this" said the unromantic
lover. my mother is all very well,
but how an old lady who has had her
own youth and her own lovc-making
can reconcile 1t to her conscience to 60
meddling with the young peoples con-
Germs"
..Oh, hush, Walterr' said Judith, put
ting her soft little pink palm over his
rebellious mouth. Remember what
the Bible says-.Honor thy father and
thy motherr"
Now, look here Judith" said Wal
ter. do you really wish to give me
up?"
Yes, l do" Judith answered after a
second or SO of hesitation.
Very well," said Merevale. ut isn't
polite to contradict a lady. Hencefor-
ward consider myself-given upi If
i L
full son with vengeance. My mother
shall pick me out a wife to suit her
selfr'
He walked off, whistling, with both
hands in his pockets And poor little
Judith ran back into the house, and
began to cry after u very unheroine-
like fashion.
But have done my duty!" she wall
ed. Il have done my duty! There is
always that to remember"
While Mr.. Merevale walked to The
Place, an old gray-stonc house in the
midst of whispering maple trees, and
surrounded by one of those great ideal
New England farms which suggested
the Land of Plenty, where q handsome
old lady sat knitting on the porch.
I've done it, mother" he said cool
ly.
'.Done what, WalterP"
"rve given up Judith Jay. Or, at
least, to adhere more strictly to the
truth, she gave ME up! l hope you are
satisfied now"
Mrs. Merevale laid down her knitting
and crossed her mittened hands piously
on her lap.
II am thankful for that, Walter" she
said. "But as you know how pain
fully anxious l am to see you married
"All right, mother" interrupted this
irreverent young man. go ahead!
Pick out any incumbent you please! Ju-
dith is determined that l shall marry to
suit you, and it would be a pity to
thwart her! Just name the young wo-
man, and I'll go on my knees to her at
oncew
'My dear Walter, are you crazy?"
No. only dutiful."
"Then," said Mrs. Merevale. with an
exultant heart ''if you really mean
what you say, Miss Florella Winton is
young person of wealth, accomplish
ment. and social standingr
"All right" said Walter; ''Pn go and
| propose to her at once. Only please
have a list of second and third candi-
dates ready in case Number One says
no!"
MY dear Walterr'
Its better to have these things al
straight and shlp-shape." said Walter
There's nothing like system, even in
love-making."
Miss Florella Winton, however. die
not say ''no." She said ..yes," and Mrs
Merevale's heart grew triumphant with
| in her.
.'She will be daughter after my OWL
| heart" said the old lady. Dear thing
love her already. She is coming NJ
next week to go over the house with me
1t will be so delightful to help her plaI
all her housekeeping arrangements.
always felt sure that Walter would come
| to his senses in time"
| Miss Florella Winton came to Th'
Place "A cherry-cheeked, hazel-eyet
village beauty, dressed after the lates
city fashions, and not devoid of some o
the airs and graces popularity supposed
to pertain TO the girl of the period
| "A Jolly old cavern" said she. look
ing round the parlor, but too dark
Slash a window through the north side
Wally, and turn that turnip-patch int
tennis-court. OF course you'll refur
nish."
MY dear Florella," pleaded Mrs
Merevale, 1.-The furniture is very goo'
still, and"
"Are you going to be mistress of tn
house, or am I?" retorted Florella, turn
ing short upon the old lady.
"But, Florella, so long as live her
But you're not going to live here,
Florella said, with very emphatic no'
of the head. "One of my unalterabl
maxims is. Don't put up with mother
in-law.' Every one knows that ther
can't be two mistresses in q house
don't they, WallyP"
Mrs. Merevale gasped, actually strick
en- dumb with anger and astonish
ment.
And" went on Florella, there's tn
old farmhouse by the creamery tina
you could live in, just as well as not.
want the whole of my own house TO
my own relations. and l mean to hav
it. I've asked jolly lot Of young folk
down from New Haven to visit me thi
autumn, and we don't want any oil