The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-05-07
FOR A HAPPY DAY
BY M. Nice. WILLIAMS.

2.
pretty! Upon my word very pretty! Are
we rehearsing for Strephon and Chlce2 Then
without waiting answer the newcomer ran on:
MISS Iryon, be ready for the early train to-
morrow Eve letter from Franzoni. He
will try your voice, provided you come to
him by 10 O'Clock in he morning.
II shall go with you. y Arthur said. openly
taking Phil In his arms. Il said you must
choose, dear. Let me take it back. If go you
will, let me follow-everywhere
No, no! will not let you spoil your life!"
Phil protested, but he held her fast saying
| as he looked Music Master Graham square in
| the eye: "Philomena is my promised wife and
not by a fair weather promise. Wherever
| you may take her Shall go too
Graham's eyes were quizzical, yet not un-
| kind That's as you please, young man.
he said, waving his hand up and down. But
| if you'll heed friendly word. stay behind.
| at least at first. You see, you'd be SO pat
emily, SO palpabiy romantic you'd be set down,
| not as fact, but press agents fake The
| voice there nodding toward Philomena, lis
| SO pure, golden, 70 rarely true it needs to
be kept high,-not yulgarized l give you my
word the roaring lions supposed to haunt
stage doors are really no more than yelping
| curly poodes. They tag after and fawn upon
you for an encouraging look or word, come
to the whistle and tumble over. themselves to
follow a finger even half lifted. But for
danger. my friend, even an unconscious look
scares them. Miss Tryon has only to be her.
self in order to be always and everywhere per-
fectly safe.'' -, --.r. ---~
notwithstanding shall CO." Arthur said
obstinately. -. ~ az -.-.--- $3.50
Graham shrugged his shoulders. Miss Try
| on the elder of the aunts, came tripping be-
tween the borders, her delieateiy wrinkled
face 'eXhaling a spiritual fragrance like the
scent of dried rose leaves. Come in. all Of
you,' she said eagerly; there's a peddler on
the piazza. elderly man, and he looks SO
WING hat nack Such love
things! Yes" deprecatin glZ. to -Philomena,
Martha and l let him show them tut it
after we had told him we could not buv. I
thought, though, maybe, Arthur only his
! mother gets so much in the city. But really
there is the loveliest length of brocade, al
most exactly like my grandmother,s second
days silk .---.. - -..--. -. ..---.z
| AS she spoke she had huddled the other
| three in front of her toward the house, much
as she would have marahaled fowls trife
unruly. s.-.-, 80 80. --
At the piazza steps Philomena sat down, but
the men both fell to examining the peddlers
wares. Graham, indeed, almost Instantly
caught UP the length of brocade, crying as he
threw it over Philomena's shoulder, Here's
exactly what is wanted for your first opera
costume!' .--
In spite of herself Phil gave a little delight
ed cry, the silvery satin ground was rich
and lustrous. the apple bloom strewn over it
so perfect in line and color. She was sorry
when the peddler said respectfully: 4
THAT, sir, is an ordered bit, so not for
sale" 49,
"Get another piece for -our order: I'm
bound to have this one." said Graham good
humoredly. -
The peddler shook his head. s:There is
not another piece like it, he said. This
was specially woven for happy day gown
Who is to wear it, Philomena asked soft
ly, sitting sigh Somehow she found her
self trembling all her courage oozing away. 7
She wished as she had never wished before
that she had somebody of her very own to
lean on. Her mother had died when she was
born. Her father had gone away, disappeared,
leaving her only clouded name for heritage.
She had never known until the trouble came;
then Uncle John had spoken harsh truth. It
was that, much as love for the two dear
old ladies. which kept her steadfast to the
| thought of going into the world and winning
its APPLAUSE.
She had never been curious or envious. ttut
somehow there swelled in her a sense of pas !!
sionate injury against the unknown who was
to this happy day gown, ordered no I
doubt by fathers loving pride. She crushed
the rich fabric between her fingers and liked
a long look upon the neddler's face. T@
"A girl is to wear it-that is. if she choos-i
es,' the peddler said. moving step nearer. :
Then she that he was more travel-worn
and weary than aged. Dimly, uncertainty,
she saw, too, a likeness that drew her elec-S
trcally to her feet. Through the open hall (
door her fathers portrait showed in the I
bloom and strength of young manhood. She
again, then stood white as death, facing him,
too shaken to speak. His eyes followed hers
and grew misty as he cried:
Sisters, Daugnter, So I have really kept
my place! Philomena, my baby, the happy
day gown was brought for you