The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1886-12-24
phahe chnckled. rrimlr.

''That's all very WE'LL" said she,
''but you forget that an old lady and a
young man don't look at a girl with
the same eyes,
"Hold your tongue, Phebe, said the
mil superintendent. where's the use
of always croaking?'
And then Mrs. Phil began to laugh,
and Phebe, who, after her Grabbed
fashion, was fond of her pretty sister,
in-law, laughed, also; and, after all,
the dainty little supper was eaten and
enjoyed. even though Aunt Nedley's
face was steadfastly turned toward
Concord. Her own fireside had never
seemed SO solitary and dreary as it did
upon that long December night.
The maids, gossiping in the kitchen.
were called upon to rekindle the dead
fire. The tea, smoky and half cold,
was served, and Mrs. Medley was just
resolving to 60 to bed, when Betsy
brought letter.
"Postman, mum; he left it week
ago. said she. 1T had fell down
back of the letter-box.'
"Ah," said Mrs Medley, fitting on
her spectacles and scrutinizing the
seal and directions; ''from Silvia Gray.
Now | shall have some one to love in
Philips place"
But she had not read three lines be-
fore she flung the letter Indignantly
on the sulking fire.
''Marriedp' she exclaimed. THAT
child! Is every body crazy to get mar
ried, wonder! And she hopes I'll
excuse her, but her husband thinks
folly and nonsense! what is her hus-
band to me? Betsy, my chamber
candle?'
"Bless me, madam" said Betsy,
''what has happened?"
Every thing" said Mrs. Medley.
''Don't call me tomorrow morning,
even if it is New Years Day. | almost
wish that 1 could go to sleep AID sleep
for ever
"And Mrs. Medley, in the silence
and solitude of her own room, fell to
thinking to what charitable institution
she could leave her money.
With Solomon of old, she could
earnestly have cried: VANITY, vanity,
all is vanityr' II loved Philip" she
said, land / had set my heart on
Silvia Gray-and such match as it
would have BEEN
Next day was New Years, and Mrs,
Medley, having announced that she
was going TO Hampden to see her
nephew, had not received any callers.
She was. therefore, sitting somewhat
disconsolately at her luncheon, with
her cockatoo on one side of her, and
her poodle on the other, when Betsy
opened the door.
Please a'am," said Betsy, ''com-
pany."
Betsy said Mrs. Medley, severe
ly, II did not tell you that / would re-
ceive anybody to-day"
Please, ma'am," giggled Betsy,
he would come in
Who would come imp said Mrs.
Medley.
"It's me, Aunt Medley" said Philip
Barrow, land my wife. Don't be
vexed."
The tall young mill superintendent
came in, with his pretty wife hanging
on his arm
Won't you kiss me, Aunt Medley
said Mrs. Phil putting up the rosebud
lips, 'for my mothers sake?'
"Eh?' said Mrs. Medley.
Didn't you get my letter." said
Philips wife.
letter."
Mrs. Medley was more convinced
than ever now that she was asleep and
dreaming.
81 wrote you all about it," said Mrs.
Phil. Don't you know! / am Silvia
Gray. / met Phil when he came out
to Denver to look at the new mill
machinery, and he would be married
immediately. He said he was sure you
would forgive him. Will you forgive
him, Aunt Medley, as q New-Year's
gift?"
Eyes, my dear, I will" said Mrs.
Medley, her face Frightening up like
the full moon peeping through mist
wreaths. "But why didn't they tell
me you were Silvia Gray?'
"Philip wanted to surprise you,"
said Silvia, hanging her head.
"Well, he has surprised me-" said
Mrs. Medley.
She went back to Hampdcn with the
mill superintendent and his wife, and
slept in the pretty pink-and-white bed
room which Silvia had prepared for her
with so much pains; and she praised
Silvia's chicken salad and prune pies,
and she even condescended to approve
of Phebe's half-completed silk counter
pane; for life was all couleur dc rose
for her now.
1t is a great thing for woman of
Mrs. Nedley's age to have her own
way hic0qo NeaCs.