The Democratic advocate., 1908-09-18
THE BLUE
BOWL.
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted, 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.

about old china, but after he saw the
lady of the blue bowl at the front
gate, with q yellow rose tucked into
her shining brown hair, he became at
once worshiper at the shrine Of old
china-and of Clarice.
'"The Claibornes are as poor as church
MICE" his landIady informed him when
he asked about the people who lived
in the gray mansion on the hill. "The
neighbors roundabout here don't think
that Clarice and her aunt have enough
to eat, and yet they won't sell 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 5000 for a
blue bowl, and she wouldn't take it,"
81 wonder If l could see it?' 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 In faded gown
Of pink gingham.
II beg pardon" Beverly said, "but
fnId nf q hnU1-Q
blue BOWL am interested in old china
and hoped might see it."
Clarice looked at him gravely.
"It's not for SALE" she said, "and l
am not sure that you can even look at
It. I'll have to ask Aunt Matilda"
"Of course" Beverly agreed prompt
ly, "and If you don't mind I'll sit on
the porch while I wait and look at the
view. It's wonderful You must be
able to see three states"
eve 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.
II hate it," she said vehemently. "It's
dreadful to look out into the world
and then to be shut up-here"-
Then she blushed hotly.
"Oh, I beg pardon" she said. II
shouldn't have said that. l forgot !
was speaking to a stranger"
"You are not speaking to stranger"
Beverly told her. "Just think for mo-
ment that am a long lost brother OF
the ancient mariner or anybody that
you'd have a right to tell your troubles
to. Why, 1 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 60 and ask Aunt Matilda"
When she came down her cheeks
were flaming.
"she says you can't see it." she said
mournfully.
"Oh, can't L" Reverly's tone was
stubborn. "Well, shall see it-and
you-as often as I WISH"
Clarice shook her head. "You don't
know Aunt Matilda" she said hope
lessly.
T know her kind" Beverly stated.
"I used to read about dragons and
wicked stepmothers and godmothers 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 Charming.
I'll do my best"
Clarice gave him a flashing glance.
"Oh, I'm sure she began, and then
the smile froze as voice came from
above.
"Clarice, Clarlce," it said, "come up
at once"
'It's Aunt Matilda" Clarice said in
a frightened tone and vanished.
Beverly bore himself jauntily as he
went down the walk. What was a mere
aunt to stand In the way Of his inten-
tons? He was thirty-two, rich, and he
had waited all these years to find the
ideal woman. And here in this quiet
town where he had come to rest and to
fish he had discovered her, and he
should marry her in spite Of any old
aunt dragon.
But as the days went on he found
that it was not an easy thing to con-
Quer Aunt Matilda. In the first place,
he could not meet her. She was as in
visible as witch, and, except for her
voice calling Clarice from behind the
window curtain whenever Beverly
stopped at the gate, there was no tam
gible evidence that she existed at all.
"You see, it doesn't do bit of good
for you to keep coming" Clarice told
him desperately one morning when she
met him on the way to the postofice.
"She always calls me away, and then
she scolds and scolds. She says
haven't any pride" And her lips quiv-
cred.
eff dared ask you to meet me
somewhere" Beverly said, "but of
course it wouldn't do"
NO." Clarice said, 81 couldn't do
that-and-you see, Aunt Matilda gets
crazier and crazier over her old china
and she ought to sell It. We haven't
enough to be comfortable-we haven't
always enough to eat"
"Oh, by Jove" Beverly said. 81
can't have her starving you. you
know"
Clarice grew little pale.
II shouldn't have told you," she said.
"but I have thought of way for you
to help