Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-01-25

wenieht about her that Is the slderwa-
ton for Mrs. Jack" 4
Mrs. Jack had not forgotten her.
promise to give decisive answer 70
end Of the Week. Or course II she cIs1
ried out her present plan there could
be no further question Of her becomiI1
an inmate Of Percival House. But sHe
did not intend to give. that as her req
son for declining Mr.. Lillyis offer. Il
shall tell the truth" said Mrs. Jack to
herself, as shr walked up the High
street toward I'ercival House, (which
is, that know it wouldn't answer, and
that we should I'LL quarrel and be very
wretched, and then have to part after
all"
Something to TINS effect, II not quite
in such incorporating phrase, she
did say to her luOther-in-law, walking
up and down the fragrant old-fash-
toned garden at the back Of Percival
House. Mrs. Lilly weeded and shipped
and tied up struggling twigs i'll her
own special bit of flower garden every
morning. She wore big gardening
gloves and 4 big blue silk shade pro-
jecting from her bonnet to protect her
compleNion; and she spied out every
withered leaf and every faulty bios
som with her sharp, beadlike eyes.
Here her daughter-in-law had found
her busy in her precise, delicate fash
ion, among her roses and carnations;
and here the two paced up and down
side by side talking.
GAS to not being happy here, Bel"
said the elderly lady, "of course that is
nonsense"
Indeed, Mrs. Lilly, it is not nom
sense. 1t might be my fault, or Pop
sy's, or nobody's faHlt and eyerybody's
misfortune; but 1 know, I know quite
well it would never answer"
"It is a pity that you did not discover
that you could not agree with this fam
lily before you married my son." said
Mrs. Lilly, without trace of temper
or emotion.
Mrs Jack bit her tongue to keep
down sharp retort. Don't let us two
quarrel, Mrs. Lilly" she said. "In-
deed, l wish to be friendly and on good
terms with you all.
My dear, l shouldn't think of quar-
reling with you. That is quite out Of
the question. l should as soon think
of Guarrcling with Popsy. But you
must allow me to tell you that you are
acting very foolishly in refusing to
come and live here. and doing some
wrong to your child. Mr.. Lilly will
not be pleased with you"
"Oh, Mrs. Lilly, what can do?
Would it be good for my child to see
family jars and discord and conten-
ton? I can't only think of the money
and the good dinners and the handsome
rooms"
You like your own way best of all,
in short. That is enough. Rall"
Mrs. Lilly waved her hand very
Slightly, as though dismissing the sub
ject; and then took up her garden
shears again, and began to clip at a
rose tree.
Bell stood with clasped hands and
flushed face beside her. Il dare say
seem very disagreeabie and thankless."
she said, humbly. Il know 1 don't al
ways choose my words well. But, in
deed, I don't mean to be harsh. And
perhaps perhaps Mr.. Lilly does think
it would be better for me to live here
than to have an annual allowance from
him. But when feel so sure that it
would never, never answer, how can I
consent? We must each believe that
the other means to do right
will you be kind enough to stand a
little more to the left. Bell? You are
crushing one of my finest roses with
your heavy black gown"
Then Bell understood that the SUBJ
ject was closed, as far as Mrs. Lilly
was concerned.
"Now, my dear, I must tell you"
said Mrs. Lilly, ''that there is a very
unpleasant report going about town,
and it is right you should know it,
How it originated 1 cannot say. But
we have all heard it from various quar-
tt,rs''
"a report about nue., Mrs. Lilly?'
Eyes; it is said that you are going to
give lessons in Codlington-lessons for
money"
We'll" said Bell, after pause, sis
that the unpleasant report?"
of course, we none of us believed
1t. But that is the sort of thing a
young woman is exposed to who lives
away from any natura; protectors she
may have"
"But it is true, Mrs. Lilly-quite true.
I meant to tell you Of it. 1 came here
with the intention of doing so. 1 am
sorry you find it so Objectionable"
CONTINUED NEXT WEEK.
A MIGHTY sUNFlsH.
Grand Capture of One Viii "a Weigh.
a.G Nanrly ., .G.,u