The Yale expositor., 1901-10-25


a wood fire glancing and gllmmering
softly over the crimson hangings of
the best chamber" she began to
think that perhaps she had been mis-
taken 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'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.
ut came the night before l left New
Hork-oh, such dreadful bill. I
hadn't any idea it could 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 1t. I'll
settle the bill and there shall be an
end of the matter"
"Oh, sir, viii 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 baen ia king 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 a father
and mother.n-.aw were such terrible
personages! 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 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 farm
house, detected and sad at heart. He
had discovered that 81 uaticns do not
grow, like ackbarries, on every
bush; he had met with more than one
cruel rebuff, and he was hopelessly
discouraged as to the future. More
over he fu ly exp cted to be met with
tea and compla nt5 by his wife
But to his infinite amazement and
relief Clara greeted him on the door
step with radiant smiles
Tell me, desr." id she, "have you
got a new situaion?"
He shook his head sadly.
I'm glad of it, said Clara brightly,
for we've got p!ace-papa and NAM
ma and l."
It's all Clara's plan" said old Noah
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 to
manage the farm, because papa says
he is getting too oil and lazy" with
a merry g ance at the o gentleman,
who stood by beam.ng on his daugh-
| ter-in-law, as if he were ready to sub
scribe to one and all of her opinions,
''and am to KEEP house and take all
the care off mammals hands. And,
oh! it is so pleasant here, and l do
love the country so dear.y! So if
you're willing, dear"
willing" cried out Walter May, &C.
statically, I'm more than willing. It's
the only thing 1 have always longed
for. Goodbye to city walls and
hearts of stone; good bye to hollow
appearances and grinding wretched-
ness! Why. Cara, shall be the hap
piest man alive. But"
There" said Clara, putting up both
| hands as if to ward off all possible
objections. IT was sure there would
| be but.
Il thought, my dear" said Walter,
chat you didn't like the idea of liv-
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.
II am a deal wiser than l was a
week ago." said she. And, oh, 80
much happier"