Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-07-07
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llIIE|l'lIIllSZgI N!ILLIAyV

II SMELL only let me love her ]" La
vinia thought. "William'u be good to
his wife-he was always a dutiful son.
She'll get the best husband In the
world-he'll be plum foolish over her,
I know! Williams that much like his
mother-he's an affectionate DISPOSE
t1on." And with a deep sigh Lavinia
closed the shutters, glanced hastily
round the little room, then went down
to set the tea-table.
Lavinia's husband had come down to
the sitting-room, and was reading the
daily paper. But Lavinia, nervous and
f1dgety, rushed hitler and thither, put
ting the house in order. She watched
the clock closely, and now and then
eXpectantly peered out Of the window
or went to the door. The nearer the
time came for the arrival Of her son
and daughter-in-law the more anxious
she became; she had worked herself
up to nervous frenzy.
'Layinia, do sit down and calm
yourself!" impatiently requested her
husband, who was by nature the per-
sonifcation Of calm, though at last dis
turbed by her restless movements to
and fro through the rooms.
BE calm! That's just like you, Mr..
Higginbottom, to talk about calm in
the midst Of a storm. How can l be
calm, and a new daughter-in-law aeon
Ing that I've never laid eyes on before?
Oh, dear, after all my worry and the
raising of limits come to this; he
never said one word when he come to
marry. Well, do hope he'll get a good
wife, anyway
LaVinia resumed her knitting, but
her fingers worked nervously. Sudden
~ she rose, saying:
I'D better go and see If Marthy's
keeping everything hot" and off she
went to the kitchen.
There was a low, rumbling sound Of
a carriage, and it halted at the door
Then a well-known, hasty step upon
the porch. The old man quickly rose
to his feet The door was gently open
ed, and William, with his bride, stepped
lightly into the room.
"Father" and his arms went round
the old mans neck; then, Father"
he haid, proudly, II have the happi-
ness of presenting to you-my Wife"
He dwelt lovingly upon the last word,
and the old man noted it and said:
"My dear daughter, this is one Of
the happiest moments Of my life. We
welcome you home. We've been look
ing for daughter-in-law, and William
has rewarded us at last /"
Il hope" the girl said, sweetly, "that
l shall not disappoint you.'
At this moment Lavinia returned
from the kitchen; but she stopped sud
denly in the doorway and threw up her
hands with gesture Of despair, for,
instead Of the dainty, meek little Ores
den-like figure SO indeIibly stamped
upon her mind all these years, there
loomed up before her distorted vision
tall, self-possessed blonde Of COM
handing appearance indeed, she was
almost as tall as William.
So this was the daughter in-law to
whom she had looked forward all these
years; the little" darling whom she
was to pet and command, and who was
only to love and obey! But William,
turning just then, beheld the pale face
Of his mother, as her eyes were fixed
upon the stranger.
Mother" he said tentatively, "this
Is Harriet, my-wife, and your daugh-
ter" He smiled joyously.
This brought LavinIa to her senses,
and she said, quietly:
oh, yes, my son-your-wife How
do you do-Harriet?" and, reaching I'D
painfully on tipeoe, she pressed a half
hearted kiss upon the girls reluctant
lips. It was an embarrassing moment.
but the gentle old man came to the res
cue, saying in conciliatory tones:
Daughter, Lavinia's very nervous,
and she's not been we'll. The sudden
announcement Of Williams marriage
has upset her-but Lavinia's always
wanted a daughter-in-laww
"Oh, yes," quickly assented Lavinia /;
I've always wanted-a daughter-in-
law. But If I'd only known"
"Yes, I know" the girl said, sympa-
thetically. I'm so sorry-but William
just wouldn't come without me"-with
fond glance at her husband.
Mother" said William, anxiously,
Harriet is suffering from a headache /;
I think she had better rest"
"Oh, I'm so sorry for you," Lavinia
said, as She led the way upstairs.
They were now in the little room,
and LaYinia asked; Have you a
motherT
YES" Harriet replied, At have the
dearest mother in the world. but now,'
she added, with a gracious smile, 81 am
doubly blessed" Laying her hand on