Chicago eagle., 1904-06-25
"Why. Of course, mother"

"Why. Of course. mother"
She made other occasions. Mrs.
Brown wanted some slips; would Re,,.
ben take them around as he went TO
the post office?
Perhaps Clarissa. too, had heard of
Fannie West; anyway, she was friend
ly. and before they knew It they were
lovers again. with the wedding day
set.
II shall have them live right here
with me-" the old lady thought. com.
placently. ''and shall train Clarissa
In my ways. Everything must be done
as do It; then can be sure Of Reu.
ben's comfort OF course shall he
mistress"
II know what It will be living
there" Clarissa was thinking. "but
love Reuben, and am willing"
The night they came home from the
wedding Journey Mrs. Butler had
beautifully prepared supper.
ut 10 time old people like me had
a rest" she said. II shall give every.
thing into your charge"
"Then I'll begin by presiding over
the teapot" replied Clarissa, gayly,
sitting down as she spoke before tile
tray.
"Of course" said Mrs. Butler, rather
blankiy. and she moved stiniy toward
the seat she had designed for Clarissa.
II know your preference, Reuben,
dear" went on the young wife, her
pretty hand toying with the sugar
spoon; "mother. do you take one lump
Oe twof"
II always sweeten my own tea," re.
sponded the elder lady. frigidly.
"Oh, certainly!' answered Clarissa.
sweetly. passing the sugar bowl.
Was this Clarissa Brown. this self.
possessed woman. already assuming
her place?
That evening a friend Of Reuben's
dropped in. and addressed Clarissa as
"Mrs. Butler" The old woman com.
mented on 1t when he left.
"Of COURSE" she said. I'VE will be
Mrs. Butler and Clarissa. l seriously
object to being old Mrs. Butler"
mo. indeed" laughed Reuben's
wife. II am too proud Of my new
name to resign It, Mrs. Butler. Senior.
II you please, and Mrs. Butler, Junior;
but Mrs. Butler intend to be-"
So 1t went on. II the mother.in.
law wanted the cleaning done with
sand instead Of sapolio. Clarissa had
some gay little excuse. but she did II
her way. To suggestions that she
should employ her spare time plecing
quilts, Clarissa reminded her of the
dozens already In the house. and said
she preferred to read and know what
was going on In the world. that her
husband might not be ashamed Of her.
Mrs. Butler. the elder. by and by
threw of her elaborate politeness, aud
used the old tactics that had been 80
effective with her husband and son,
but she found an antagonist worthy
of her steel. Clarissa would not quar-.
rel, neither would she yield. It was
not pleasant to be always on the de-
fensive. and sometimes not spoken TO
for a week at time. or to have her
little dinners and parties spoiled by
well-timed illness Of the old lady.
The second time she tried that was
when the Whist Club met there. and
Clarissa wanted to have everything
particularly nice; and. much to the
old lady's astOnishment, nurse
walked into her darkened bedroom.
why, what are you here for. Mrs.
ToddT she asked. sitting up In her
surprise.
"YOur daughter sent me to take care
OF you; she couldn't leave her party,
and she said she'd be worried"
"You 60 out Of that door. Jane
Todd. When want a nurse I'll send
for one. I'm going to get up."
"Clarissa's done her sight OF
good" thought Mrs. Todd. "She's got.
ting to be different woman, and Reu.
ben's actually growing fat. Clarissa
is very kind to her, but she says she's
going to keep her own individuality.
whatever TINT M rather guess the
trainings been turned around, and it's
the old lady herself that's trained
Waverley Magazine.