The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1890-06-19

Of her head
eYes but about the screen. you know
Well give 1t to mother Us a peace offer
Ing when you are her daughter-in-law.
Phyllis laughed merrily But she ws,
absolutely unreleotipg.
NO, no, no. Archie :"
Il shsn't take % for an answer. AVON
I'd the young fellow, .toniy
You must
Il won't"
at 10 a nice way u contradict .
lady !" reproyed Phyllis, WITH great cyl
dence Of Indignation, and at her heart q
warm, glad thrill. i
That evening Archie prs sented himself
at the door Of Mrs. Merits domicile.
Regardless Of his sweethearts protest
he marched boldly in TO see her sunt.
He quite dwarfed the little parlor and
Its furniture.
The wrinkled old lady In the window
looked at him In ans cement.
Mrs. Merit, | presumeY he said
stan ding, hat In hand, before her. I'm
Archie Van Roosevelt, and want 70
who has TO depend on his brain and hands
for & living"
But your father and MOTHER
Have disinberited me-"
IF or wanting 70 marry Phyllis?..
Yes"
Then shan't-" began the girl,
promptly.
"Oh, yes" In a voice, both oosxing and
confident; ''oh, yes, you will Phyllis.
Mrs. Merritt turned her glimleting
eyes on her niece.
YOU'D better" she advised dr,ly.
:. You won't find such a lover every day.
Look at my luck :"
The remark was effective. The eyes
OF the young people met, and out on each
soft cheek Of Phyllis Clyde glowed a
bright flag of surrender.
The following day Archie Van Roose-
welt went to the city and secured work,
and PLY Ills received a note from his
mother dispensing with her services.
year tpassed, during which Archie
| worked hard and saved every cent he
could, and Phyllis, half regrsting that
she had made such 3 sacrifice IS his nee
essary, and wholly glad Of his loyal love,
counted the weeks until she should see
him again.
1t was in September that he came back
golden, fragrant, delicious September.
Very quiet was their wedding, and Phyl-
lis in her simple, snowy wedding gown,
looked more radiant and lovely than ever.
Just as soon as the cottage could be
disposed Of, Mrs. Merit Vas to 70 to the
city to live with the young couple.
When the sacred ceremony wss over,
the little, old widow, said briskly;
Now, Phyllis, I'm going to give you
the present promised"
The screen, auntie1'
"Yes, dear"
She took tiny key from her bosom
and went towards the heirloom.
docs 1t open?' said Phyllis Van
Roosevelt, In amazement.
Mrs. Merit smiled
| 10 the heart Of papier maehs rose
she thrust a tiny key-turusd It. The
| whole back Of the screen opened like a
door, and down came tumbling on the
carpet folded papers and heavy little
packages wrapped in tissue paper.
BONDS " explained the eccentric wild
ow, briefly. The bonds I told Oswald
Merit had burned, jus. to test his af-
fectioD. And my jewels all the old
Clyde jewels. They are yours, now, my
dear-yours and Archies l was bound
you shouldn't BE- married for your money,
as | was. There is fifteen thousand dol
lars there, Phyllis, not to mention the
stones"
Jupiter" cried Archie.
IN" sssp1di the bride, II II sounds ike
fairy tale
But it wasn't. 1t was every dollar as
true As it was delightful.
Now" declared Mrs. Merit "you
know why l said | never was offered
enough for that screen"
When she Joined them In their charm
ing little home she proved herself once
more the blessed magician of their des-
TIMES.
I've heard Arches mother 10 heart
broken over her quarrels With him, Phyl-
lis. You should send her that screen
with your love"
The bride took her advice. The re-
suit of the gift was visit from Archie's
parents and their proud acceptance of
their lovely daughter
whoever would have thought"
onerled Phyllis, ecstatically, that the
old screen held such secret? But beau
tiful things do happen outside of books,
don't hey,-sometimes?"