Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1893-11-18
GRANDMOTHER klRkf.

eTeu. Dat, SuaIicys uou you
think it's rather small I"
"Well-yes-perhaps SO; but
what do we want of anything larger?
The bedroom over the hall is really
quite good size, and"
But is there bedroom on the
ground floor p asked Melicent, anx.
iously.
"No. Why 7"
+" For grandmamma, you know"
Mr.. Clare's countenance fell slight
ly.
81 have made no arrangement for
your grandmother, Milly."
But, Charley, she brought me
up. Oh, Charley, we can't keep
house without her."
We cant keep house with her,
you meant" said Glare, imperatively
"When man marries girl,he does
MT contract to support all the rela-
tives she happens to have"
{" ] am all that grandmother has,"
said little Milly, her face allin glow
her eyes darkly coruscatlng. "Grand-
mother has loved and cherished me
more years than you have, and /
will not leave her to want and, per-
haps, suffering, in her old age"
Every well, them" said Mr.. Glare.
quietly, sit is settled p
Yes" said Melicent; it is set.
tled.'
And grandmother Kirke, sitting
alone BY her fire, was astonished,
some FIVE or ten minutes later by the
sudden apparition of little Milly,
dinging herself upon her shoulder
and sobbing most bitterly.
Grandmother Klrke listened to
the little girls story, with an odd
working of her toothless jaws.
I don't ask this sacrifice Of you
child 2''.said old Mrs. Kirke, strok-
ing down the lustrous masses Of dis
heveled brown hair. l dare say /
shall do vel enough; and its hardly
fair for the old to stand in the way
of the young"
Milly looked up, loving and indig-
nant in the same breath.
"po you think l could leave you
grandmamma ?"
Mr.. Charles Clare was little sur
prised at the turn events had taken
it had meyer for an instant occurred
to his mind that any girl in her So
Der senses could prefer the society
of crooked old woman TO that of
himself.
She'll come to her senses after a
WHILE" was the reflection with which
he was consoled. "All girls indulge
in beroics now and then, but it wont
last long"
Mr.. Clare, however, was destined
to disappointment.
:" Engaged TO Frank Blakeslee !"
he cried, about two months subse-
quently. "Why, he's been counting
her this long Understanding her flow.
ers and books and music, and all that
sort of thing. And the old Witch
of Endor is to live with them / sup
pose. / wouldn't have stood it I"
went on Clare, growing more heated
and angry as he talked ; but Frank
Blakeslee never had any mind of his
own. Well, | wish 'em joy, that's
all.n
And the tone of voice In whichMr.
Glare spoke indicated anything rath-
er than the benevolent aspirations
Swallowed forth by his words.
Frank Blakeslee and Melicent
Kirke had not been rsarried more
than year when dark messenger
came to the door Of their humble, j ct
infinitely contented little home-Az-
rael. the might and relentessl
"You've been very kind to me,
Frank and Milly," said Grandmother
Kirke, ''but it's wen-Higil over now.
| only wanted TO live long enough to
see my little girl confded to the care
of some good man who would value
her as she deserves, and I've got my
wish"
And Grandmother Kirke, whose
old eyes were growing dim, fumbIed
under her pillow for the old calico
work-bag with leather strings and
outlandish little pockets, which, with
its paraphernalis OF assique house
wifes, bodkins, scissors and thimbles
was her constant companion
1.-THE needle-book, Milly." she said
iaintly. Look in the needle booklv
but, grandmamms, the leaves are
all sewed tight together
aCnt them open, child +; but b.
careful. I'm going to give that nee
die book to you, MilIy. It Was one ]
bought when you were wee baby
All my treasures belong to yos
L