The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1899-04-12
Grandmother Stark'S Party

Grandmother Stark's Party
Never before had the village known such
a commotion.
in eager discussion, and many were the
glances directed towards the judges stately
mansion But the blinds were drawn, the
big gates closed, and the whole appearance
of the house said as plainly as possible:
Mind your own business"
Its just like old Jim Everglade," said
one of the oldest Inhabitants, shaking her
head in knowing manner. which indi-
Gated that she had known Jim" from his
youth up, and had never known any good of
him.
He was always powerful sot in his
ways, and his wife is mighty poor spirited
crittur.'
And the young people "O'd" and "Ah'd,"
and the old people approved and disap-
proved, and the tide of talk rose and flowed
until it reached the ears of Grandmother
Stark.
She was a rather silent but smiling old
lady, on whose silvery head and rosy face
her seventy-fve years of life had showed
more sunshine than storm. A childless
widow for fifty years, she lived alone in
Dig, old-fashioned house, surrounded by
wonderful garden, and crowded with old
time furniture that would have set the
antique worshiper stark. staring mad. Two
cross-grained servitors, her adjuncts since
time out of mind, kept the old house spot
less and the garden a mass of riotous
bloom; and here lived Grandmother Stark,
unattended by kith kin; alone, and yet
not lonely. if her bright old face bore truth
full testimony of the sunny soul within.
And into her kindly ears Elsie Leigh
was now pouring the story which had set
the village agog.
Just think of it, grandma! Isn't it
shame? Everything ready, Tom with the
license in his pocket, the wedding cake
such a beauty-all baked and frosted with
little angel on top, and now Judge Ever
glade won't let them be married. The
telegram came this morning that the bank
had failed with all Toms money, and the
Judge says Lucy shall marry no man that
can't give her a home of her own. Tom
hasn't cent left but the 5000 he has just
drawn out, and of course it will take some
time for his practice at law to bring him
in anything. He will get his law license
tomorrow, when he will be 81, and it was
to have been his wedding day. They have
been in love all their lives Tom and Lucy,
and we all thought it so perfectly lovely
for them to be married on St. Valentines
day.
I'm love all their lives" murmured the
old lady in the chair, rocking softly and
interlacing her hands, pretty and dimpled
still in spite of her seventy five years.
Lucy and Tom are just heart broken"
concluded Elsie. as she arose to go, land
everybody just hates Judge Everglade."
Like the shadows of a passing angel
smile thoughtfully lay on the face of
Grandmother Stark.
But young hearts, like young bones,
can be mended,' she said as Elsie opened
the door; and the garden gate had scarcely
closed on its paradise of sweet, old fashion
ed shrubs when the little bell on the table
by Grandmother Stark sent through the
house tinkling summons
Then three old heads were laid together
in secret discussion; and the result was an
other sensation in the village. In his stiff
hot Sunday suit, the old Stark gardener went
from house to house until the entire vii
lage was hidden to st. Valentine party at
Grandmother Stark's. People forgot to dis
sect Judge Everglade in a later and more
absorbing interest A long vacant cottage
in grove of trees not far from Judge Ever
gades home was suddenly invaded and an
army of scourers and moppers took possess
sion. Soon the sound of hammers rang
through the empty rooms; rolls of mating
and carpeting were carried in, and lace cur
tains fluttered from the windows Judge
Everglade forgot his pomposity, walked over
to the cottage, and gaped with the crowd
while little Lucy wept in her darkened
room, and the sun of st. Valentines day
drowsed sleepily on a bed of afternoon
shadows.
What could it all mean?" was the uni
versal question, to which there appeared no
suitable solution.
And just then Judge Everglade was sum-
moned to Grandmother Stark on illegal busi-
ness. For the first time in his life this
man of manner "stood not upon the order
of his going, but he went at once
An hOur later, with face on which be-
wllderment was stamped, even to stuper-
faction, he left the Stark homestead and
wended MS way to his own domicile.
Coi nnfA
room abruptly, where's Lucy?''
Poor Mrs. Everglade, who never dared
claim her own soul in her husbands pres
ence, mopped her red eyes and nose with a
camp handkerchief and stated ''she thought
the child was upstairs"
Then came the unexpected and appalling
order that she and Lucy should array Them
selves at once in suitable attire and accom-
pany him to the Valentine party at Grand
mother Stark's.
time in fifteen years, Mrs. Everglade forgot
in speaking, her husbands official capacity
J1m, she said with a desperate cour-
age born of the occasion, you are
heartless brute, and Lucy shan't co.
Before her husband rallied from the shock
of her speech little disheveled figure
glided between them and Lucy laid her
pretty head on her mothers breast.
Don't quarrel with father about me,
dear. Nothing makes any difference now''
A!oi Aloluer ulSSOlVeO In tears as she
clasped the pathetic figure in her arms and
ner rather paced the room in a manner that
indicated great perturbation of soul.
Lucy" he said, at last, pausing in
his aimless wandering ''have 1 ever been
harsh father to you? Have ever seriously
crossed you until now?
trust me little longer, my baby. Obey
me In everything tonight, and tomorrow"
he stopped abruptly and turned his head
away, but not until Lucy had seen some
thing shining in his eye that thrilled her
with surprise; and in some inexplicabie way
watered a seed OF hope in her heart. So when
in obedience to his directions she was ar
rayed in, her bridal dress. she made no
protest, but even mustered a trembling
smile when he came in fho room, ora a..