The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-03-20

y
learned some womahly accomplish
ments.F
"I could make him more eomfortablet
never knew what a dreadfully rude
home we have I'LL came here. Our
piano IS in the kitchen, and papa 5 books
are everywhere. Idon't suppose young
ladies' here have a rife, revolver, riding
habit and hat. whip and fishing-fod IN
heir own rooms, but have all Of these.
As for wors-hoxes and crochet-needIes,
T never owned either one or the other.
But If you will teach me, Cousin Clara,
7 will learn to sew and cock, and make
home pleasant"
And Cousin Clara, won from the first
by the bright. beautiful girl, willingly
taught her all she wished to learn. Is
was only in brief snatches she could
learn. Sewing worried her; cooking
smotkered her; housekeeping accounts
bothered her Yet gradually she was
tening down.
Only the spirit Of mischief possessed
her when Clarence was near. Knowing
all his fastidious tastes, all his INDECENT,
dflettaate ways, she delighted to jar
apon fhe, one. and shake him out Of the
ether. She reused A new ambition IN
his mind By her keenly-pointed sarr
easnls at his effeminate pursuits. She
challenged him to races, shooting
matches. pedestrian trips, and fairly
drove him about by the laughing lash
Of her witty tongue.
It was curious to note how they came
BY degrees to a level. the one shaking
of unmanly Incidence. the other soften
ing masculine traits, while the little
winged god Of love hid, laughing, un-
suspected BY either.
Mrs. Parker found him out first. Low
ing Clarence above all else on earth,
her mother instinct taught her quickly
the reason Of the change in him, the in
tiuenee that was giving him an erect
carriage, a new light of energy in his
great dark eyes, an added interest in
the affairs of his own fortune, seeking
for channels where 1t might flow to
benefit others as we'll rs himself. And
reading the secret Clarence as yet did
not himself suspect, Mrs. Parker ex-
ulted in her heart to see how Myra was
just az surely bowling her free, frank
nature to the yoke of love, soffening
her manner. toning down her joyous,
ringing voice, training her hands to
womanlg work.
Autamnai winds were scattering the
crimson leaves when John Delano came
to New York for the first time In ten
years. and was the guest Of Mrs. Parker
in her city home, to which the family
had Just returned. He came for Myra.
thinking of her happiness to come bach
to her free life, and she grew pale al
his loving caress.
What ails the chiId?" he asked, turn
ing to his cousin as Myra left the room
sshe was never so quiet as that in hes
life before"
lyon will know soon, John. No, yol
may know now!" said Mira. Parker
pointing, as she spoke, across the hal.
to the library, where Clarence had riser
as Myra entered. Just one long looL
into the two faces satisfied the father
ut will be we'll with her when am
gone" he said, half sadly; and wher
Clarence came TO him to win his con
sent 10 wed Myra he received him cor
daily and gladly.
ut viii be lonely in the old home,
he said, and Myra. clinging to him, be
sought him to go back no more to the
solitary life Of the past.
1--WE need you here" she pleaded; ant
Mrs. Parker Endorsed the petition.
After the wedding Of the young folk!
and their Homecoming to the new
house Mrs. Parker insisted upon theil
occupying, Cousin John fell into thu
habit of spending his evenings Will
Clara. They were so lonely, these mid
dle-aged people, each deprived of a com
panion of years. They missed The
child" who had been the center Of al
love for each, and, talking often of theil
mutual loss and gain, drew their sore
lonely hearts into close communion
until Myra, walking in upon her hus
band one morning, announced:
claire, have been to see your moth
er, and father was there. and-gucss? 2
"WelI, guess that after this, VINO
ever goes TO see my mother will be very
likely to find your father there"
You knew"
mot a word! Is it settled?"
Yes. They insist upon a quiet wed
ding in church, and we can cease TO fire.
any longer about either one or the othei
missing you or me"
1T was quite true. The power of Low,
that had so softened and improved Myra
30 ennobled Clarence, had drawn th,
bitterness OF their early widowhoo,
from the hearts Of John Delano ant
Clara Parker, and shed benign ligh
over two happy homes.-N. y. Ledger
Fair Rctort.
IA L. Lsk -.