Nevada County picayune., 1890-07-31

dent, "Go In, Phebe, and get youI tea"
 'l'm sure cant eat mouthful, said Mrs. Phil, despairingly. "AnC the biscuits l mixed myself, and tn, fried chicken, and the white noun. tain ca<e-oh, Phil oh, Phil"
 Don't fret, dear" said Phil my Aunt Medley has missed a very good supper, that l can tell her"
 But have blighted your fu- ture, said Mrs. Barrow, tragicall, seizing the sugar tongs.
 'We'll go to Concord to- morrow and see the old lady" soothed Phil. ''She must surrender if she sees you, wifey."
 Phebe chuckled grimly.
 "That's all very well," said she, but you forgot that an old lady and a young man don't look at q girl with the same eyes. .
 "Ilold your tongue, Phcbe, said the mill superintendent. "What' s the use of always croaking?" And then Mrs. Phil began to laugh. and Phebc, who. after her grabbed fashion, was fond of her pretty sister-in-law, laughed too, and after all, the dainty little supper was eaten and enjoyed, even though Aunt Nedley's face was steadfastly turned toward Concord.
 Her own tireside had never seemed so solitary and dreary as it did upon that long December night.
 The maids, gossipng in the Ntch- cn, were called upon to rekindlc the dead fire. The tea, smoky aud half cold. was served, and Mrs. Medley was just resolving to go to bed. when Betsy brought a letter.
 "Postman, mum; he left it a week ago, said she 1t had fell back of the letter. box. '
 An" said Mrs. Medley. fitting on her spectacles and scrutinizing the seal and direction, "from Sylvia Gray. Now l shall have some one to lONe III illllp )laCc.
 But she had not read three lines before she threw the letter indignant ly on the sulking fire.
 Married - she exclaimed. That child. Is everybody crazy to get married, l wonder, And she hopes I'll excuse her, but her husband thiaks-folly and nonsense. What is her husband to me: Betsy, my chamber candle
 Bless me, madam, said Betsy, ''what has happcned;'
 Everything, said Mrs. Medley. "Do not call me tomorrow morning, even if 1t is New Years day. l al most wish could go to sleep and sleep forever"
 And Mrs. Medley, in the silence and solitude of her own room, fell to thinking to what charitable institu- ton she could leave her money.
 With Solomon of old she could earnestly have cried: "Nanity, all is vanity" Il loved Philip" she said, "and l had set my heart on Sylvia Gray-and such match it would have been."
 Next day was New Years, and Mrs. Medley, having announced that she was going to Iiampden to see her nephew, had not received ahy callers. She was therefore sitting somewhat disconsolately at her lun- chcon, with her cockatoo on one side of her and her poodle on the other, when Betsy opened the door.
 Please ma am" said Betsy, company"
 Betsy, said Mrs. Medley, se- verely, did l not tell you l would not receive company to-day;"
 "please ma'am,' eigglcd Betsy, 'he would come in.
 "Who would come in;' said Mrs. Medley,
 Its me, Aunt Ncdlcy," said Philip Barrow, "and my wife. Don't be veXcd. "
 The tall young mill superintendent came in with his pretty wife hanging on his arm.
 Wont you kiss me, Aunt Ned ley;" said Mrs. Phil, putting up her rosebud lips, flor my mothers sake?"
 "Eht" said Mrs. Medley
 Didn't you get my letter." said Philips wife.
 'LettccE'
 Mrs. Medley was more convinced than ever now that she was asleep and dreaming.
 Il wrote you all about it," said Phil. "Don't you know, l am Syl- via Gray. l 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 New Years gift"
 "les, my dear, l will" said Mrs. Medley, her face frightening up like full moon peering through the mist wreaths. But why didn't they tell me that you were Sylvia Gray? 7"
 Philip wanted to surprise you, said Sylvia, hanging her head.
 "Wcl, he has surprised me, " said Mrs Medley,
 she went to Hampden with the mil! superintendent and hl~ wife, and slept in the pretty pink aad white bedroom which Sylvia had prepared for her wi;h so much pains;