The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1890-07-18
HAD HER WAY.

HAD HER WAY.
BY FLORENCE WELDON.
II was a chilly December night when
the train got into Hampden. Hampden
was one Of those new, unfinished places
which requires the brightest Of sun
light, the greenest frame of quivering
leaves, to make them at all presentable.
And in the gray, uncompromising me-
dunn OF the December dusk Hampden
looked dreary enough, with the dark
chimney Of the new silk mill rising ont
of the hemlock woods, the staring de-
pot, the church, which bore a strong
resemblance to q child's wooden toy,
and stone quarry to the left, which re-
minded the thoughtful looker-on of q
gigantic fertilization in an unfinished
state.
sHumphl" said Mrs. Medley, as she
looked around her. "A queer place."
Her niece Phebe was there to meet
her with q box wagon and white-nosed
old horse.
Folks can't always choose where
they're to live" said Phebe, who was
always in & state of antagonism to Mrs.
Medley. "and Hampden is good enough
for me-"
sHow is PHILIPPE" asked Mrs. Medley.
@Philip is WE'LL" said Phebe, as she
helped the depot boy to hoist Aunt
Nedley's trunk into the wagon.
Philip Barrow was Mrs. Nedley's
favorite nephew. She had paid his
bills at school, superintendent his for
tunes, and finally purchased a share for
him in the new silk mill.
Hes all I've got" said Mrs. Medley,
Except Phebe, and Phebe and I never
did hitch horses together. And I want
him to succeed in the world"
But within a few DAYS a new claim
ant had arisen to Aunt Nedley's pro-
lection and tender consideration.
"To be sure, she is no relation to
me" said Mrs. Medley, "but her mother
Wa my dearest friend, and 1 think I
will adopt her for my sake.'"
And it was scarcely an hour from the
time in which she learned that Sylvia
Gray was an orphan that she wrote q
kind letter to the girl, inviting her to
come to the East for avisit.
IF you like it, my dear, there need
be no occasion for your going back"
she wrote. ave 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
can't help being pretty" said Mrs. Ned
ley. "Phil is q handsome lad. She
shall marry Phil"
And this explains Mrs. Nedley's pres
ence at Hampden.
Il suppose you r still keeping house
for PHILIP" said Mrs. Medley, a they
drove along in the chill twilight.
sNo." said Phebe, skillfulIy guiding
the old horse down a steep place in the
road.
@He boards, eh?" said Mrs. Medley.
mo, he don't board" answered
Phebe. @his wife keeps house for him"
sWhat?' said Mrs. Medley.
HE is married." announced Phebe
very much in the tone in which she
might have said, aIt's q cold evening"
or sthe train is late"
"Philip married! repeated the old
lady; married. Stop, Phebe, don't
take me q step furtherl Turn round at
once. Take me back to the station.
Ill return to Concord"
Amt you going to see PHILIPPE"
asked Phebe,
Motif he is married. answered Mrs.
Medley, in . choked voice.
"He,s nOt n nroner. n;co .,;fo ~
pleaded Phebe. sYouIl like her.
mo, I shan't," said Mrs. Nedfev.
sRhil-married. Phebe, il you don't
turn around Til get ont and walk.
Mrs. Nydley's will was like adamant.
and Phebe Barrow was forced to sue
cumb to it.
And SO it happened that Phebe and
the white-nosed pony arrived solitary
and alone at the little cottage of the
mill superintendent half an hour later.
Phil came out into the porch, carrying
q lantern.
Mrs. Phil q after him, with q pink
apron tied around her slim waist, and
brown fringe of hair flowing back from
her forehead.
"Where's my auntY" said Phil, as
Phebe jumped out. didn't she
Gomez"
sshe came" said Phebe, CURLY, sbut
shes gone back again."
sGone back again!"
sYes. She didn't like il because
you've got married, so she's gone back
by the 500 train"
sob, Phill" cried Mrs. Barrow, who
was . round, cherry.cheeked little wo-
man, with soft, hazel eyes and q mouth
like . rosebud. "What shall we do?
Why didn't you consult her before you
Phil Barrow broke into . great
sIIy dear. he said, 1T wasn't hsr
consent I wanted; II WAS yours."
sOh, but Phil, abe has done 70 much
for you
.khsi. . good soul. but she's ecoen.
tric.s said the mill superintendent eco
In. Phsbs. and ges your tea