Iowa state bystander. [volume] (Des Moines, Iowa) 1894-1916, 1902-01-10

a wood fire glancIng and gl'mmering
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 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.
1T came the night before left New
York-oh, such a dreadful bill.
hadn't any idea it could amount ur
so fearfully."
How much was it?' said Mr.. Moab
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. Waiter 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, I'D
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 father
and mother-in-law were such terrible
personages! Oh, please, please forgive
me for all the wicked things have
thought about you!''
ut 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 situations do not
grow, like b'ackberriss, on every
bush; he had met with more than one
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 new situation?"
He shook his head sadly.
I'm glad of it," said Clara brightly.
for. we've got place-papa and nam
ma and To
cts all Clara's PLAN" said cid Noah
May.
"But it has our hearty approval"
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
he is gstting too old and lazy" with
a merry glance at the Old gentleman,
who stood by beaming 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 of mammals hands. And,
oh! it is so pleasant here, and do
love the country SO dearly! So II
you're willing, dear
"Willing!" cried out Walter May, ec-
statically, I'm more than willing. It's
the only thing I have always longed
for. Goodbye to city walls and
hearts of stone; goodbye to hollow
appearances and grinding wretched
ness! Why, Cara, I 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
II thought, my dear" said Walter,
chat you didn't Like the idea of Iiv~
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 was q
week ago. said she. And, oh, so
much happier!"
$50 am r." said Walter.