New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1908-09-16
THE BLUE
BOWL.
By TEMPLE BAILEY.
Copyrighted, 1908, by Associated
Literary Press.

gate, with q yellow rose tucked into
her shining brown hair, he became at
once a worshiper at the shrine Of old
china-and of Clarice.
"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 bill. 'sThe
neighbors roundabout here don't think
that CIarice 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 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 a faded gown
Of pink Bingham.
~ beg pardon" Beverly said, "but
my landlady has told me of bowl-a
blue BOWL am interested in old china
and hopedsI might see it."
Clarice looked at him gravely.
''It's not for SALE" she said, land
am not sure that you can even look at
it. I'll have to ask Aunt Matilda"
"Of course" Beverly agreed prompt
~, land 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
'We can" Clarice said slowly. land
that's the worst Of it,
He looked at her in surprise.
Don't you like the view?" he de.
manded.
81 hate it" she said %vehcmently. "1t's
dreadful to look out into the world
and then to be shut up-here'-
Then she blushed hotly.
"Oh, / beg pardon" she said. 81
shouldn't have said that. I 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, feel as if know you better
than any girl I've ever met, and yet
we have seen each other only ten min
utes."m ss"sss~~..,s'~
+ Eldrice 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.
"Oh, can't I?' Bever'y's tone was
stubborn. well, I shall see it-and
you-as often as wish
Clarice shook her head. You don't
know Aunt Matilda" she said hope
lessly.
II know her kind" Beverly stated
II used to read about dragons and
wicked stepmothers and godmothers in
my fairy books and of beautiful prin
cesses shut up in castles. This viii
simply be bringing it up to date. And
while I'm not sure that i will fulfill all
the requirements of Prince Charming
I'll do my best"
Clarice gave him flashing glance.
ooh, I'm sure she began, and the1
the smile froZe as a voice came from
above.
"Clarice, Clarice,' it said, "come VI
at once"
ITS Aunt Matilda" Clarice said il
a frightened tone and vanished.
Beverly bore himself jauntily as ht
went down the walk. What was mere
aunt to stand in the way of his inten
tons? He was thirty-tWo, rich. and h'
had waited all these years to find thu
ideal woman. And here in this quie
town where he had come to rest and t.
fish he had discovered her, and h
should marry her in spite Of any oil
aunt dragon.
But as the days went on he fount
that it was not an easy thing to con
Quers Aunt Matilda. In the first place
he could not meet her. She was as in
visible as a witch, and, except for he
voice calling Clarice from behind tn
window curtain whenever Beverl
stopped at the gate. there was no tan
gible evidence that she existed at all.
'tYou see, it doesn't do bit Of goo
for you to keep coming" Clarice toll
him desperately one morning when sh
met him on the way to the postofice
"She always calls me away, and the
she scolds and scolds. She says
haven't any pride" And her lips qui7
cred.
eff I dared ask you to meet N
somewhere Beverly said. "but {
course it wouldn't do
mo- Clarice said, 81 couldn't d
that-and-you see, Aunt Matilda gel
.crazier and crazier over her old chin
apd cha os1pht to coll II Wa haven