Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1908-09-17
THE BLUE
BOWL.
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted. 1903. by Associated
Literary Press.

Beverly really knew nothing at all
about old china, but after he saw the
lady of the blue bowl at the front
gate, with a yellow rose tucked into
her shining brown hair, he became at
once worshiper at the shrine OF old
china-and of Clarice.
1.-The Claibornes are as poor as church
MICE" his landlady Informed him when
he asked about the people who lived
in the gray mansion on the hill. 1.-THE
neighbors roundabout here don't think
that Clarice and her aunt have enough
to eat. and yet they won't sell a thing.
And they've got some old furniture
that they could get most any price
for and their china-why, one man Of
fered old Miss Claiborne $500 for a
blue bowl, and she wouldn't'take it."
Il wonder II could see itT' Beverly
asked. thinking Of the girl at the gate.
Maybe" said his landlady doubtful
ly. ''They don't care to meet many
people. They used to have money, and
now that they haven't the old lady
shuts herself up there and Miss Clarice
doesn't see anybody"
But Beverly was not to be daunted,
and three days later he Knocked at
the Claiborne front door.
Clarice answered the knock. She was
even more beautiful than the first time
Beverly had seen her I'm a faded gown
of pink gingham.
81 beg pardon" Beverly said. but
my landlady has told me of bow "a
blue BOWL am interested in old china
and hoped might sec It,"
Clarice looked at him gravely.
Its rot for SALE" she said, "an1
am not sure that you can even look at
IL. I'll have TO ask Aunt Matilda"
"Of course" Beverly agreed prompt
ly. "and IL you don't mind I'll sit on
the porch while wait and look at the
view. It's wonderful. You must be
able TO see three states"
"We can" Clarice said slowly. and
that's the worst Of It"
He looked at her in surprise
Don't you like the view?" he de-
manded.
IL hate It," she said vehemently. IT'S
dreadful to look out into the word
and then to be shut up-here"-
Then sh blushed hotly.
"Oh, beg pardon" she said. II
shouldn't have said that I forget I
was speaking to stranger"
you are not speaking to a stranger"
Beverly told her. Just think for no
ment that am long lost brother or
the ancient mariner or anybody nat
you'd have right to tell your troubles
to. Why. feel as If know you better
than any girl I've ever met, and yet
we have seen each other only ten min
utes."
Clarice sighed. II feel that way,
too" she admitted. "but-now I'd bet
ter go and ask Aunt Matilda"
When she came down her CHEEKS
were flaming.
"She says you can't see it." she said
mournfully.
ooh. can't II Beverly's tone WAS
stubborn. well. shall see it-1and
you-as often as l wish"
Clarice shook her head. You dn't
know Aunt Matilda" she said bpe
lessly.
u know her kind" Beverly stated
II used to read about dragons and
wicked stepmothers and godmoth9s In
my fairy books and of beautiful prin-
cesses shut up in castles. This will
simply be bringing it up to date. And,
while I'm not sure that / will fulfill all
the requirements Of Prince Claiming.
ri do my best"
Clarice gave him a flashing glhce.
| "Oh. I'm sure she began. am then
the smile froze as voice cam from
above.
"Clarice clarice." it said. "cme up
| at once"
"Its Aunt Matilda" Clarice aid in
a frightened tone and vanished.
Beverly bore himself jauntilyas he
went down the walk. What wash mere
aunt to stand In the way of bid inten-
lions? He was thirty-two, rich. Ind he
had waited all these years to nd the
ideal woman. And here In tht quiet
town where he had come to restand to
fsl he had discovered her, md he
shbuld marry her in spite OF ny old
aht dragon.
But as the days went on he found
tat 1t was not an easy thing to con-
der Aunt Matilda. In the frs place,
h could not meet her. She wal as in
tsible as witch. and. except tor her
bice calling Clarice from behind the
Window curtain whenever beverly
topped at the gate. there was 10 tan
ible evidence that she existed It all.
"You zee. II doesn't do bit d good
For you to keep coming" Carrie told
him desperately one morning when she
met him on the way to the posbffice.
I .'She always calls me away, and then
! abe scolda and scolds. She ays I
haven't any pride" And her lipsquiv-
cred
III dared ASK you to meet ms
somewhere" Beverly said. abut 81
| course II wouldn't do
-No." Clarice said. Il couldn't do
that-and-you zee, Aunt Matilda getz
crazier and craxier over her old china
land abs ought to sell It We haven't
enough to b comfortable-we haven'i
always enough to eat
"0h, BY lover Beverly said. n
can't have her starving you. ytu
know"
Clarice grew little pale.
II shouldn't have told you" she saii
but ! have thought Of way Tor you
to help
Il am always at your service" said
| Rorprlv Gro vnlv