The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-05-11
GRANDMOTHER BELL.
BY Mary Kyle Dallas.


meadows turning green again, the bar
barry vines along the low stone fences
Of New England putting forth their
polished leaves
Dandcli6ns peeping up here and there,
few carly flowers in the cottage gar
dens, and pleasant breeze blowing
softly over all.
Il do love spring. said Phoebe Bell,
gayly, speaking across the little paling
fence to Percy Armstrong, who had
paused there a moment before; ''winter
is hateful. 1 do hate gray skies, and
hail and rain and sleet. Of course
sleighing is nice, and skating, but then
spring brings the daisies and butter
cups, and after that summer roses
COME
you are a rose yourself-a beauti-
full wild rose" said Percy Armstrong,
catching her little right hand in both
his own.
Somehow she had rather he had not
put shat wild" in.
'Oh, Phoebe, when will you let me
have u right to wear you on my
bOsOm|
Her heart gave little leap. For
all his looking and signing, for all the
"wOoing O. it," this was the first time
that Percy had said anything SO par
ticular'
The village beauty felt her cheeks
flush; she looked away; her glance
roamed down into the meadow where
the boys were playing ball; then re
turning. seemed to look for the bird
that was singing over her head.
II wonder what that bird is?' she
murmured. DO you know, MIR. Arm
StrOng:"
Mr. Armstrong doesn't know and
catching her about the waist. phoebe,
I've made up my mind--when will you
marry me?'
Again, even while the thrills of hap
pinesS ran through her frame, she
wished that he had not expressed him.
self SO. Made Mp his mind! Why, in
novels-Phoebe loved novels that
turned out well-the lovers always
trembied with anxiety. 1t was for the
adored heroine Ito make up her mind
She pouted little and twisted herself
out of his clasp.
When? Why, I never said I WOULD
do it at air. she cried.
But you WILL" he said. '''Come,
now"
He left the post that he had taken
and came in at the gate; pulling her
hand through his arm, he marched her
up to the porch and seated her upon
the upper Stephen he sat beside her.
June is q perfect time to cross in, -
he said
TO closs?'' she Quelied.
ITO go on the other SIDE to take
an ocean voyage he explained, laugh
ing. Our wedding journey shall be to
Europe. Once in Paris, the modistes
will make you stylish, and Il little ex-
pericncs. and all that, will tit you for
being presented to my set. You don't
murder the presidents English. and
you know how to mold yourself, SO half
the battle is ,WOn-sO, / should say, the
end Of May for the wedding
Phoebe's face flushed. She Was lin
love with the youth, but she had her
own idea Of dignity.
You seem to think I need improve
ment," she said, land you are really
very very
Previous" suggested the young man.
$50 am-and if you really say no,
I think III ,trot off to the duck pond
and drown myself-that is the ;prOper
caper''
Then lac burst out laughing and Kissed
her.
Why, if You are to he my wife, i
may speak as i feel, 4 suppose he
said. ''You are a perfect little beauty,
but you haven't had any opportunities.
You'll have ito study style. It rs in
you-don't you see what mean?"
''Oh. yes" She said. melting undea: :,
kiss he gave her. II suppose you are
right. But fbefole | say yes Or no
of course I would like to go upon tina
lovely trip. But when I CON-, back,
granny mist ihnve IL home with yus.
That will be understood?"
At that he let go Of her and drew
himself Il little away, docking at her
quizzically.
My dear Phoebe, when you come
. back you will see, as Il do now, that
that gould not !be," he said. Your
grandmother is Il worthy old lady, pious
and all that. But she says L don't
know nothin' albeut it nohow,' and
Amt yer a-goin' to- and Fer lan's
sake, and, in faek, shocks one every
time she opens her mouth, and she
looks like-like 0Me's laundress, and,
an fact-she's impossible Can't she stay
here and take i'm white washing and
Scr1lbbing, just rs she always has?
And you can give her plenty of money
whenever you want toby letter. you
know. You can't keep running down
here. That connection must be cut
off short I've found pearl in a rub
bish box-but don't wasn't to keep the
rubbish too, you know .s1....
Considering grandmother rubbish ?"
queried Phoebe.
''Well-froH1 stylish point Of view
only. She'll make a superior sort of
angel, no doubt" said Percy. But you
and l."
you and I-indeed!' cried Phoebe,
rising Don't say that again. it you
please refuse you. There, refuse
yon, You understand? I will not 20
to Europe to be improved and made
stylish. which seems. IN your diction-