Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-20


know. Well give it to mother as a
peace offering when you are her daugh-
ter-in-law."
Phyllis laughed merrily. But she
was absolutely unrelenting.
mo, no, no, Archie!"
81 shan't take no for an answeri"
avowed the young fellow stoutly.
''You mustw
'I won'tin
"That is nice way to contradict a
lady," reproved Phyllis. with great evil
dence of indignation, and at her heart
a warm, glad thrill.
That evening Archie presented HIM
self at the door of Mrs. Merits domi-
Gle.
Regardless of his sweetheart's pro-
test he marched boldly in to see her
aunt.
He quite dwarfed the little parlor and
its furniture.
The wrinkled old lady in the window
looked at him in amazement.
''Mrs. Merritt, 1 presumed" he said,
standing, hat in hand, before her. "I'm
Archie Van Roosevelt, and I want to
marry Phyllis, if she will accept a man
who has to depend on his brain and
hands for living"
But your father and mother?"
''Have disinherited me-
'For wanting to marry Phyllisp"
eyes"
Then I shan't," began the girl
promptly.
ooh, yes" in voice both coaxing
and confident. ooh, yes, you will
Phyllis!'
Mrs. Merritt turned her gimlety eyes
on her niece.
You'd betterr' she advised dryly.
''You won't find such lover every day.
Look at my lucki'
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 Phyllis received a note from his
mother, dispensing with her services.
A year passed, during which Archie
worked hard and saved every cent he
could, and Phyllis, half regretful that
she had made such sacrifice as his
necessary, and wholly glad of his royal
love, counted the weeks till she should
see him again.
1t was September that he came back
golden, fragrant, delicious Septem-
Der. Very quiet was their wedding.
And Phyllis, in her simple, snowy we'd
ding gown looked more radiant and
lovely than ever.
Just as soon as the cottage could be
disposed of Mrs. Merit was to 90 to the
city to live with the young couple.
When the sacred ceremony was over
the little old widow said briskly;
"Now, Phyllis, I'm going to give
you the present promised"
The screen, auntie?"
Eyes, dear"
She took tiny key from her bosom
went toward the heirloom.
"Does it open?" cried Phyllis Van
Roosevelt in amazement.
Mrs. Merit smiled.
In the heart of a papier-mache rose
she thrust the tiny key-tuened 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
widow briefly. THE bonds 1 told
Oswald Merritt had burned just to test
his affection. And my jewels the
old Clyde jewels. They are yours
now, my dear-yours and Archie's.
| was bound you shouldn't be married
for your money, as l was. There is
$3.50, 900 there, Phyllis, not to mention
the stones"
"Jupiter!n cried Archie.
oh" gasped the bride, 1t sounds
like fairy tale"
But it wasn't. 1t was every dollar as
true as it was delightful.
Now" declared Mrs. Merritt, ''you
know why said | never was offered
enough for that screen"
When she joined them in theil
charming little home she proved her
self once more the blessed magician o.
their destinies.
I've heard Archie's mother is heart.
broken over her quarrel with him.
Phyllis. You should send her thai
screen with your love-
The bride took her advice. The re
suit of the gift was a visit from Archie:
parents and their proud acceptance O.
their lovely daughter.
whoever would have thought. ;
queried Phyllis; ecstatically, that the
old screen held such secret? Blu
beautiful things do happen outside o
| books. don't they-sometimes
| IL. hleGry IN Saturday Night