The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-02-26

what her nleCeS called her rock of Iii
braltar lock.
"But, Aunt Mel, you just can stay
here all night
"Id like to know why I can't?'
"Why? Well, just because you can't, ,
Olivia said, at loss for any more tell
ing argument.
"And because you are needed more
somewhere else," said Amy Street, with
a tactful smile that brought Miss Potts
to terms and to her feet.
"Well, suppose tomorrow will dc
just as well. I can come back - And
leaving the mystery unsolved they re-
traced their steps toward Mrs. Matthews
cottage.
1t was pity, if indeed it was not ar
ranged by malice aforethought, that the
long procession of decrepit buggies,
weak backed barouches and rafting
gigs which followed Mrs. Matthews to
the Cloverdell cemetery should have
been driven right past Mr.. Potts old
store.
AS Timothy Drew had arranged the
route there are those who to this day
call it "put up job.'
Miss Melanie and Mrs Phipps led the
procession in the old Potts buggy. Miss
Melanie held the reins. When they
came opposite the Potts store, both
women gave smothered scream. Then
Miss Melanie fixed her eyes solemnly Oh
the hearse in front.
ut was as much as could do, " the
little woman declared afterward, "to
keep from stopping old Dandy there and
then just to stare my eyes out. do be.
lieve if we hadn't been chief mourncrs
I would have stopped. You can just
imagine my feelings-a sign almost as
big as the side Of the store, made out of
great, spraddly blue letters, starting ont
Of bed Sheet"
But Dandy had been at too many fu-
nerals since he had come into the Potts
family not to know how to comport
himself under the most trying circum-
stances, and resisting Miss Melanies
involuntary Tightening of the reins he
carried her and Mrs. Phipps safely be-
You'd the danger line. Mrs. Phipps was
guilty Of the indiscretion of looking
back through the square of glass set in
the back of the buggy.
"Well, upon my word and honor,
Melanie Potts, what do you think of
it?'
"Tell me again how it reads; I was
SO taken aback."
Miss Melanie virtuously refused to
turn her own head.
" Grand opening today That comes
first in letters foot long. All the deli
,acies Of the season, together with the
latest fashions in millinery and dry
goods, for the ladies'. Terms strictly
lash. Maxwell N. Belknap, successor
20 Lester V. Potts. Come one, come all.
Entire satisfaction guaranteed or money
p"
Maxwell N. Belknap, successor to
lester V. Potts. I'll SEQ to that. Why,
didn't even know the boy had got
Jack"
Neither did I. The Belknaps havo |
been so taken up with the |
aptain that they haven't been among |
IS much. wonder if he'll take Con !
ederate money" /
She gave one more backward peep
nd drew in her head suddenly.
II declare, Mrs. Clarke is half way
ut of her carriage window"
II suppose she is taking in confirma-
ion of Betsys story
"She is taking in moro than confr-
nation. Dear Mrs. Clarke is keen Oh a
argain."
Dear Mrs. Clarke" drew herself
ack upon the carriage seat at that mo-
tent with sigh. The Potts girls were
ding with her.
1T would have been better for him
} have waited another day" she said
'verely. Zone doesn't like to have such
thing staring one in the face when
no is on the way to the grave"
Julia giggled nervously.
"Oh, not if one really were Oh the
ay to che grave to stay! But this is
fferent, don't you Think
ayes, of course it's some different I
onder if he's got any flour in stock.
am 80 tired of corn bread"
II would thank him. said Ollie,
rcihly averting her eyes from the
'rawling letters, mot to call himself
pas successor. Papa never sold by
% small. He was wholesale commits.
On merchant, as you remember, Mrs.
arke."
Mrs. Clarke surreptitiously consulted
II watch as she remembered. " She
ally did not think there would be any
to poor dear Mrs. Matthews
Robin Stokes would drive his hearse
little bit faster. In all probability,
viewer, be was at that moment sound
leep on the box. Robin never had
en- known to stay awake OH tho box
1t through anybody's funeral, but as
drove quite as well with his eyes
ut as with them open nobody ever
Mrs. Brownell brought up the rear
i of tho procession with little Miss
INNS, the dressmaker, sitting by her
e. Both women stared until the last
ter of that astonishing sign was
ltched from their line of vision by q
II III the road. Then Mrs. Brownell
Ished guilty.
Thank goodness, we are the very last
line. l wouldn't have Miss Melanio
Nv that read every word of it for
rlds. A minister's vito has to be SO
ticular."
Nor Mrs. Clarke either People are
do wonder if that boy Il
lily has brought anything late i'll the d
y of dress goods. 1t seems to me a b
fury since I put scissors into a new :,
20 of CLOTH v
md little Miss Simms leaned back in h
carriage, with bCatific visions of re- II
ming trade dancing before her pale n
G eyes. C.
I Maxwell Bclknap had set his heart n
producing stunning sensation, he =
every reason to be satisfied with re-
IS. He had only aimed at Ceiling c,
little Mrs. Matthews was laid ten p
ly 70 rest among the iasmines and u