Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1901-01-03

pies liz the kitchen.
But there's one thing I haven't
dared to tell Walter about" she said.
With tears in her eyes.
What's that, my dear?" said the old
gentleman.
"My dressmaker's BILL" said Clara.
ut came the night before l left New
York-oh, such a dreadful bill! I
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"
ooh, 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, chow good you all
are! And l had an idea that father
and mother-in-law were such terrible
personages! Oh, please, please forgive
me for all the wicNou things have
thought about you!"
''It 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 at heart. He had dis
covered that situations did 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 Clara's inveterate prejudices in
regard to country life.
But to his infinite amaZement and
relief, Clara greeted him on the door
Tell NE, DEAR she said, "have you
got new sltuation?''
He shook his head sadly.
I'm glad of it." said Clara, brightly,
''for we've got place-papa and
mamma and -
ITS all Clara's plan," said old Noah
May.
hno rfN
added the smiling old lady.
Were all going to live here to-
gether," said Clara. "And you are to
manage the farm, because papa says
GAL 20
he is getting old and lazy" with a
merry glance at the old gentleman,
who stood beaming on his daughter
in-law, as if he were ready to sub
scribe to one and all of her opinions,
"and I am ready to keep house and
take all the care off mammals hands.
And, oh, it is SO pleasant here, and |
do love the country so dearly So if
you're willing, dear"
"Willing?" cried Walter May, ecs-
taticaliy, I'm more than willing. It's
the only thing I've always longed for
Good-by to city walls and hearts of
stone; good-by to hollow appearances
and grinding wretchedness! Why.
Clara. l shall be the happiest man
alive. But"
There" said Clara, putting up both
hands as if to ward off all possible OBJ
jections, Il was sure there would be
but.
Il thought, my dear" said Walter.
that you didn't like the idea Of liv-
ing with your husbands relations"
Clara looked lovingly up into her
mother-in-law sweet old face. while
she silently pressed Mr.. Noah Mays
kindly hands.
Il am deal wiser than was a
week ago." she said. And, oh, so
much happier."
SO am L." said Walter-Waverly
Magazine.