The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-06-27

and swung in slender frame Of black ma
hogany. The back-it was couple OF
inches deep-was of papier mache; the
front, queer tumble of appliqued pictures
in oil, India ink and water eolors, all being
protected from the dust by glass.
The following day was Saturday, and
Phyllis, in her best gown, pretty, soft,
rose and white challis, set off for the Van
Roosevelts, where she was engaged to IN
struct tri-weekly the younger children in
music.
Quite the show place of the neighbor-
hood was the Van Roosevelts'. Built in
the most elaborate style of modern archi-
lecture, it was surrounded by conservato-
ries, orchid houses, and terraces Of emerald
velvet
Phyllis was endeavoring to make the
most diminutive Miss Van Roosevelt COM
prehend the difference between crotchet
and quaver, when Archie came into the
room.
Archie was the Van Roosevelts eldest
son, their pride and heir And Archie
was most tremendously in love with Phyllis
Clyde. This, to the girls decided embar-
rassment and CONSERVATION. Not that she
didn't like Archie-one couldn't help that,
so frank. aud kind, and handsome, and
honorable was he-but Phyllis felt their
paths lay in widely different worlds, and
that she would be more content with her
prosaic existence if she barred out from II
the dreams which never, never could cul-
inmate in realization. So that was why
she gave him now the merest nod Of recog-
milton when he entered the music room.
To half dozen random remarks she
made 20 reply. He tried the strategy OF
questions.
"My mother went to see your aunt yes
terday, didn't she ?"
"Yes"
"About that curious screen p
eyes"
"Why won't she sell it? Ay mother
has her heart set on securing it.
Phyllis looked up and laughed.
"She says she is keeping it for wed
ding gift for me"
"Phyllis y
"Well-one, two, three, Bessie!'
ooh, infantile tuition be blessed !" criet
Archie, in evaporation, as he flung out
the room.
But he managed to meet Phyllis on he
way home.
aPhyllis," he said, "Tve thought of
great scheme. Marry me
''You' We said that before with shak
of her head,
eyes, but about the screen, you know
Well give it to mother as peace otferin
when you are her daughter-in-law.
Phyllis laughed merrily. But she wa
absolutely unrelenting.
"No, no, no, Archie r
II shant take no for an answer y avowe
the young fellow, stoutly,
"You must ?"
II won'tH
"That is nice way to contradict lady!
reproved Phyllis, with great evidence q
Indignation, and at her heart warm, gla
thrill.
That evening Archie presented himse
at the door of Mrs. Merits domiclle.
Regardless of his sweethearts protest, h
marched boldly in to see her aunt.
He-quite dwarfed the little parlor an
its furniture.
The wrinkled old lady in the windo'
looked at him in amazement.
''Mrs. Merit, 1 presume p he salt
standing, hat in hand, before her. "Fl
Archie Van Roosevelt, and want to MARI
PHYLLIS, if she will accept man who hi
to depend on his brain and hands for
living"
"But your father and mother 2"
'Have disinherited me-.
'For wanting to marry Phyllis "
,'Yes."
'Then 1 t"-began the girl, promp
ly.
"Oh, yes" in voice both coaxing an
confident; ''oh, yes, you will, Phyllis ]!
Mrs. Merit turned her gimleting eye
on her niece.
"You'd better p she advised dryly
'.You won't find such lover every da.
, Look at my luck p
The remark was effective. The eyes c
the young people met, and oat ON eac
soft cheek Of Phyllis Clyde glOwed brigt
flag of surrender.
The following day Archie Van Roose
velt went to the city and secured work, an
Phyllis received note from his mother
dispensing with her services.
A year passed, during which Archi
worked hard and saved every cent he coul(
and Phyllis, half regretted that she ha
made such a sacrifice as his necessary, an
wholly glad of his loyal love, counted tn
weeks till she should see him again.
1t was in September that he came back
golden, fragrant, delicious September Yer
quiet was their wedding. And Phyllis, i
her simple, snowy wedding gown, locke
more radiant and lovely than ever.
Just as soon as the cottage could be di:
posed of Mrs. Merit was to go to the cit
to live with the young couple.
When the sacred ceremony was over, th
little, old widow said, briskly:
; ''Now, Phyllis, I'm going to give 20
the present | promised.
"The screen, auntie ?"
''Yes, dear"
She took tiny key IRON her BOSOM
went toward the heirloom.
"Does it open?" cried Phyllis Van ROos'
welt, in amazement.
Mrs. Merit smiled
In the heart of papier mache rose sh
thrust the tiny key-turned it. The who
back of the screen opened like door, an
down came tumbling on the carpet folde
papers and heavy little packages wrappe
in tissue paper.
''Bonds p explained the eccentric widow
briefly. "The bonds l told Oswald Merr
| had burned, just to test his affection
And my jewels-all the old Clyde jewel:
They are yours now, my dear-yours an
Archie's | was bound you shouldn't !
married for your money, as | was. TheI
is fifteen thousand dollars there, Phylli.
not TO mention the stones