The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1898-02-15

not questioning look, not sidelong
glance-all welcome, and tenderness
and loving commiseration, And when
Clara went to sleep that night. with a
wood fire glancing and glimmering
softly over the crimson hangings of the
"best chamber" she began to think
that perhaps she had been mistaken
in some of her ideas.
The next day she had long, con-
fdential talk with her father -in-law,
while Mrs. May was making mince
pies in the kitchen.
"But there's one thing l haven't
dared to tell Walter about" she said,
with tears in her eyes.
what is that. my dear?" said the
old gentleman.
my dressmaker's BILL" said Clara.
"It came the night before left New
York-oh, such dreadful bill!
hadn't any idea 1t could possibly
amount up so fearfully."
How much was it?" said Mr.. Noah
May, patting her hand.
"a hundred and fifty dollars" said
Clara, hanging down her head.
Don't fret, my dear; don't fret"
said the old gentleman. walter need
never know anything about It. I'll set
tie the bill and there shall be an end
of the matter'
"Oh sir, will you really?"
'My dear" said old Mr.. May, 'Td do
much more than that to buy the color
back to your cheeks and the smile to
your lips"
And that same afternoon, when Mrs.
May had been talking to Clara in the
kindest and most motherly way, the
girl burst into tears and hid her face
on the old lady's shoulder.
oh" cried she, "how good you all
are! And I had an idea that a father
and mother-in-law were such terrible
personages! Oh, please, please forgive
me for all the wicked things l have
thought about you!"
ut was natural enough, my DEAR
said Mrs. May smiling, "but you are
wiser now, and you will not be afraid
of us any longer"
When Saturday night arrived Wal
ter May came out to the old farmhouse
detected and sad at heart. He had
discovered that situations do not grow
| like blackberries, on every bush; he
| had met with more than one cruel re.
| buff, and he was hopelessly dis.
couraged as to the future. Moreover
| he fully expected to be met with tears
and complaints by his wife, for he vel
knew Clara's inveterate prejudices IL
regard to country life."
But to his infinite amazement ant
relief Clara greeted him on the door.
step with radiant smiles.
"Tell me, dear" she said, "have yo,
get a new situation?"
He shook his head, sadly.
I'm glad of it," said Clara, brightly
for we've got place-papa and nam
ma and l."
Its all Clara's plan," said old Noal
May.
"But it has our hearty approval,
added the smiling old lady.
We're all going to live here to
gether,' said Clara. "And you are t.
| manage the farm. because papa say!
he is getting too old and lazy" with /;
merry glance at the old gentleman, wht
stood beaming on his daughter-in-law
as If he were ready to subscribe to on
and all of her opinions. "and am t,
keep house and take all the care O
mammals hands. And, oh; it is S,
pleasant here, and do love the coun
try so dearly! So if you're willing
dear"
"Willing!" cried out Walter May
ecstatically, I'm more than willing
It's the only thing have always long
ed for. Goodbye to city walls an,
hearts of stone; goodbye to hollow an
rearances and grinding wretchedness
Why, Clara. l shall be the happies
man alive. But"
There" said Clara, putting I'D bot
hands as if to ward off all possible OBJ
jections, Il was sure there would be
but"
Il thought, my dear" said Waite
that you didn't like the idea of liv
ing with your husbands relations"
Clara looked lovingly up into he
mother-in-law's sweet old face, Will
she silently pressed Mr.. Noah May
kindly hands.
81 am deal wiser than was a wee
ago." said She" And, oh, so much har
pier!"
so am II" said Walter.