The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-01-08

There was not word OF reproach-
not questioning look, not sidelont
glance-all welcome, and tenderness
and loving commisseration. Ani
when CLARA went to sleep that night
with wood fire glancing and glim
mering softly over the crimson hang
ings Of the "best chamber" she be
gan to think that perhaps she had beer
mistaken In some of her ideas.
The next day she had long, conf
Dental talk with her father-in-law
while Mrs. May was making mince
pies in the kitchen.
'But there's one thing I haven
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.
1T came the night before I left New
York-oh, such dreadful bill! ]
hadn't any idea it 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
settle the bill and there shall be an
end Of the matter"
"Oh, sir, will you really?"
my DEAR" said old Mr.. May, "I'd
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, chow good you all
are! And had an idea that a father
and mother.i Flaw were such horrible
personages! Oh, please, please for.
give me for all the wicked things I
have thought about you'll"
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 OF 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 discour.
aged as to the future. Moreover, he
fully expected to be met with tears
and complaints by his wife, for he
knew we'll Chara's inveterate preiu.
dices in regard 10 country life.
But to- his infinite amazement and
relief Clara greeted him on the door.
step with radiant smiles.
'"Tell me, DEAR" said she, "have
you got a new situation?"
He shook his head sadly.
I'm glad Of it." said Clara, bright.
y y .for we've e got plaoe-pspa and
"It's all Clara's plan," id old
Noah May.
''But it has our hearty approval"
added the smiling old lady.
"We're all going to live here TO- !
3ether," said Clara. "And you are
20 manage the farm, because papa
says he is getting too old and lazy"
With O merry glance at the old gen.
:leman, who stood beaming on his
as if he were ready to
to one and all of her opin-
ons, "and I am to keep house and
AXE all the care off mammals hands.
md, OIL it is go pleasant here, and I
10 love the country so dearly! So if
'ou're willing, dear"
"Willing!' cried out Walter Nav.
cstatically, ''I'm more than willing.
It's the only thing have always
onged for. Goodbye to city walls
nd hearts Of stone; goodbye to hol-
ow appearances and grinding wretch
dness! Why. Clara, I shall be the
appiest man alive. But"
"There," said Clara, putting up
9th hands as if to ward off all DOS
lble objections, II was sure there
'ould be but"
II thought, my..dear." said Walter,
hat you didn't like the idea of living
it'll your husbands relations"
Clara looked lovingly up into her
lother-in-law's sweet old face, while +,
ne silently pressed Mr.. Noah Mays /
indy hands.
II an q deal wiser than I was a ,
eek ago." said she. "And, oh, so !
+uch happier!"
$50 am II" said Walter.-New York
edger.