Nevada County picayune., 1890-07-31
A SURPRISE.

frame of qulvering leaves, to make them at all presentable. And in the gray, uncompronsing medium of ] the December dusk, Hampdcn looked ! dreary enough, with the dark chim- ney of the new silk mill rising out of the hemlock woods. the staring 1 depot, the church which bore q strong resemblance to child's wooden toy, and the stone quarry to the left, which reminded the thought ful loolors-on of a gigantic fortilica- tion in an unfinished state.
 Humph '" said Mrs. Medley, as she looked around her. "A queer place.
 Her niece Phebc was there to meet her with a box wagon and a white-nosed old horse.
 Folks cant always choose where they're to live, said Phebe, who was always in state of antogonism to Mrs. Medley, "and 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 Nedlcy's trunk into the wagon.
 Philip Barrow was Mrs. Ncdley's fayorite nephew. She had paid his bills at school, superintendcd his fortunes, and finally purchased q share for him in the new silk mill.
 Hes all Eve got" said Mrs. Medley, except Phebe, and Phebe and never did hitch horses togeth- CT. And l want him to succeed in the world.
 But within few days a new claimant had arisen to Aunt Ned ley's protection and tender consider ation
 To he sure, she is no relation of mine, said Mrs. Medley, but her mother was my dearest friend, and l think will adopt her for my sake. "
 And ii was scarcely an hour from the time in which she learned that Sylvia Gray was an orphan that she wrote kind letter to the girl, in- v,ting her to come to the East for visit
 If you like it, my dear, there need he no occasion for your going back" she wrote. We are both alone, let Us be 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 cant help being pretty" said Mrs. Medley. "phil is handsome lad. She shall marry Phil.
 And this explains Mrs. Nedley'S presence at Hampdcn.
 T suppose you are still keeping house for Phil;" said Mrs. Medley, as they drove along in the chill twi- light.
 "No,' said Phcbc, skillfully guiding the old horse down steep place in the road.
 "He boards, ch," said Mrs. Ned ley.
 No, he don't board" answered Phebe. his wife keeps house for him.
 What" said Mrs. Medley.
 "lle is married" announced Phehe very much in the tone in which she might have said, Its a cold evening"" or the train is late.
 Philip married." repeated the old lady; married, Stop, Phebe, don't take me q step further Turn round at once. Take me back to the station. I'll return to Concord.
 "Ain't you going to see Philip ' said Phebe.
 Not if he's married" answered Mrs. Medley, in choked voice.
 Hes got a proper, nice wife, pleaded Phebe. "You'll like her.
 "No, shan't," said Mrs, Medley. "PhiI-married Phebc, if you don't turn aroud I'll get out and walk.
 Ms. Nedlcy's will was like ada ment, and phebe Barrow was forced to succumb to it,
 And so it happened that Phebe and the whlte-noscd pony arrived solitary and alone at the little cot tage of the mill superintendent half an hour later.
 Phll came out into the porch, car rying a lantern.
 His wife ran after him, with a pink apron tied about her slim waist, and brown fringe of hair flowing back from her forehead.
 ..Whcre's my aunt?" said Phil, as Phebe jumped out "Didn't she come /"
 ,She came" said Phcbc, curtly, but she's gone back again.
 "Gonc back again "
 Yes. She didn't like it because you've got married, 50 shes gone back by the SOC train" "
 "Oh, Phil," cried Mrs. Barrow, who was a round, cherry-chceked little woman, with soft, hazel eyes and mouth like rosebud. What shall we do? Why didn't yon consult her before you married me-