Hutchinson gazette., 1901-10-31
wood Are Elanclng and EllmmovFnE

a wood hre glanclng and gllmm0glM9
softly over tho crimgon hanginGh Of
the "best chamber" she began b
think that perhaps she had been mis-
taken In some OF her ideas.
The next day she had long, conn
dental talk with her father-in-law,
while Mrs. May was making mince
pies In the kitchen.
But there's one thing haven't
dared to tell Walter about" she said,
with tears In her eyes.
What is that, my dear9" said the
old gentleman.
MY dressmaker's BILL" said Clara
1T came the night before left New
York-oh, such dreadful bill. +
hadn't any idea II could amount I'D
so fearfully"
How much was it?" said Mr.. Noah
May, pattlng 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 1t. III
settle the bill and there shall be an
end of the matter"
"oh, sir, will you really?"
MY dear" said old Mr.. May, "Id
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 had an idea that q father
and mother-in-law were such terrible
personagesl Oh, please, please forgive
me for all the wicked things I have
thought about you!"
1T was natural enough, my dear"
said Mrs. May, smiling, but you arc
wiser now and you will not be afraid
OF lis any longer"
When Saturday night arrived Wal.
ter May came out to the old farm.
house, detected and sad at heart Hq
had discovered that situations do moi
grow like backberries, on every
bush; he had met with more than ono
cruel rebuff, and he was hopelessly
discouraged as to the future. More
over he fully expected to be met with
tears and complaints by his wife,
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 brightly,
for we've got a place-papa and nam
ma and T."
TITS all Clara's plan" said old Noah
May
but II has our hearty approval"
added the smiling old lady.
We're all going to live here to.
gether" said Clara. And you are to
manage the farm, because papa says
he Is getting too old and lazy" with |
q merry glance at the o,d gentleman
who stood by beamlng on his daugh
ter-in-law as II he were ready to sub.
scribe to one and all Of her opinions, |
"and am to keep house and take all |
the care off mamma's hands. And, |
OH 1t is so pleasant here, and l do
love the country so dearly So II
you're willing, dear"
"Willing!" cried out Walter May, &C.
statically, I'm more than willing. It's
the only thing l have always longed
for, Goodbye to city walls and
hearts of stone; goodbye to hollow |
appearances and grinding wretched-
ness! Why, Cara, l shall be the hap
piest man alive, But
There" said Clara, putting up both
hands as II to ward off all possible
objections, II was sure there would
be but '"
II thought, my dear" said Walter,
that you didn't like the idea Of llv-
ing with your husbands relations"
Clara looked lovingly up into her
mother-in-law's sweet old face while
she silently pressed Mr.. Noah Mays
kindly hands.
~ am a deal wiser than | was a
week ago." said she. And, oh, so
much happier!"
go am To said Walter