Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-07-15

IIt
those Old young ladies who remind
one forcibly of an antique piece ot
new. INV
Sophie Garland had never been in
sympathy with her fashionable
mother. She had married decidedly
III opposition to that lady's wishes.
ana was, to tell the truth, not espe.
cially pleased at her appearance ON
the scene at this particular moment.
But what am to do ?" she said
to herself. CT certainly can't turn
her out of doors; though Pm sure
don't know what Harry vii! saw.
after all those disagreeable things
said about his mother"
But Harry Garland was too much
Oh gentleman not to behave like a
SIR Launcelot under any circum-
stances.
He welcomed Mrs. Percy with
genuine hospitality, and did not even
notice Sophie's appealing glances
when the old lady incidentally let
iall the information that, since she
liked the situation of CloverdaIe
cottage SO well, she should, perhaps,
remain there all summer, "iust to
keep sophie company, you know"
lit is so good of Harry not to
hing back my own silly words in my
face" she thought, with thrill Of
gratitude.
But at the end of week Mrs.
Peregrine Percy sickened.
81 hope it's not going to be any
thing Serious" she said. "Sickness
does age person so. l never had
any wrinkles, you know, dear, be-
fore that last attack of neuralgia"
But when it happened that Mrs.
Percy's ailment was the severe and
contagious form of disease known as
"typhus fever" there was a general
commotion at Cloverdale Cottage.
The servants gave warning; the
nelghbors kept away; and poor So
phle was weary, worn out with nurs-
ing and fatigue, when one day gen.
tie little woman in black presented
herself.
"She will see you, ma'am," said
the little charity girl, who alone
could be induced to cross the in
tected threshold, and who loudly de-
clared that "at the asylum she had
had everything, and wasn't afraid
of nothing !" 1 told her to go away
but it was no good"
Sophie, pale and haggard, crept
down into the darkened drawing
room.
81 don't know who you are," said
she, cor what your business is, but
you had better go away. There is
terrible sickness here"
"l know it," answered mild
voice, land this is the very reason
that L am here. l am Harry's
mother, darling. l have come to
help you"
So, like ministering angel, the
" mother in law" came into the
house just as Sophie herself sue.
cumbed TO the fell disease.
No sooner did Mrs Peregrine
Percy recover than she packed her
trunks and made off for Scarboro as
fast as possible.
zone always needs change after
Illness" said she. "And the at
mosphere of sickroom always was
most depressing for me. dare say
that that good Mrs. Garland will do
all that Is necessary for dear Sophie; {;
and have my own welfare to think
Of"
Sophie, just able to sit up in a pill.
lowed armchair, her cheeks hol-
lowed by illness, her large eyes shin
ing from deep, purple circles, looked
after the departing carriage, and
then lifted her glance TO the tender
nurse who sat beside her.
Mother" she said, wistfully,
"you will not leave me?"
"Not unless you send me away,
Sophie," said Mrs. Garland, tenderly.
And that will be never" said
Sophie, closing her eyes with a sigh
OF relief. How angel good you
have been to me! Without you l
should surely have died."
And even in her slumber she
could not rest peacefully unless she
held Mrs. Garland's hand in hers.
That evening, when Harry came
home, she opened heart to him.
Harry" she said, "can you ever
forgive me?"
Forgive you, dearest ?"
For what 1 said about our dear,
dear MOTHER" fervently uttered So.
phie. "She is precious beyond ex-
preston to me now. She has saved
my live by her courage and devo-
tion, and feel that l cannot part
with her any more. Would she stay
here with us always, do you think,
Harry?"
He smiled gravely.
am her only son, Sophie," said
he. Yes, think she wlll-if you
ask her."
Sophie made a confession to her
mother-in-law at once.
was so rude, so selfish" she
candidly acknowledged. "But ]
did not know you them"
And Mrs. Garland's tender kiss
was seal of the most loving for.
giveness.
Mrs. Peregrine Percy never ha.
gone back to Cloverdale Cottage.
81 don't fancy that stupid, mo-
notonous life," said she. "And my
poor child is given up, soul and body
into the clutches of a mother.in-law
1t wasn't for want of warning eli
ther. l told Sophie just how i
would be, but she never would TAX,
my advice"
a BOSTON mother took her four
year-old girl to photographer
The child couldn't be made to 81
still. He of the camera was as suav,
as he could be, and worked ever,
device Of gentle persuasion to max,
the little wriggler keep still. Fl