Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1922-01-26
MISS SILVER LINING
BY MoLLIE MATHER


Copyright 1871 western Newspaper on'oH'
Rain, rain. and sombre clouds, an
unfamiliar village street. and man
trudging along, gloomily. AT the
farthest end of the street, weather
beaten house. its faded green blinds
closed against possible sunshine, It's
yerandas bleak, and wind-swept.
To this uncomfortable goal, the
stranger forced his way. he
questioned a passer-by as to where en-
tertainment might be found. and was
directed uncertainty, to the shabby
house at the end of the street.
"Mebbe Miss Perkins will take you
in" offered the passer-by.
When Philip Clogston agreed to run
out to the country to look over the
farm his elderly sister anticipated
buying he expected to drive the fifty
odd miles in his car. Minerva was
imperative that he should go no later
than Wednesday, and on this
Wednesday afternoon of stormy
weather. roads leading to the I'M
.frequented country were almost inn
passable, SO Philip, impatient with
this new within Of his whimsical sister,
boarded the train.
Upon his arrival at Lynden village,
he found that the next returning train
would not leave until eight o'clock that
evening, the farm which he was to pass
Judgment upon, was four miles up an
Isolated road. He decided, still
angrily, to go back at eight o'clock
without fulfilling his errand.
What did Minerva want with farm
any way? But then why did Minerva
enter into any of the foolish business
ventures which claimed her purse and
attention.
The shabby old house was opened
with hostility.
II was directed here" said the con-
fident man of big enterprises.
Come in" said Miss Perkins, and
he followed into the dismal parlor.
81 kin give you some ham an home
made bread an coffee" the woman
offered laconically, III you want to
git warm, come out to the kitchen"
Thanks" Philip returned driy, 81
VIII wait here" He settled down In
mis- overcoat frowning. woman are
queer" he reflected, "wherevers you
happen TO meet them" His memory
of his own mother was that of an eX-
acting invalid Minerva, with whom
he made his home was a creature of
changing, unreasoning mood Then
here, was this stolid, unconcerned, viii
lage woman He smiled satirically.
as an engraved motto caught his eye.
every cloud said the motto, has
a silver lining" Great promise that,
In this tomb of a room" he meditated.
Then across the rattle Of wind and
rain outside came ripple OF soft
laughter.
well, that's my last Splashng
nope" called girlish voice. Philip
looking through the window saw a
young woman turn to wave TO an old
man who had evidently brought her
to the shabby house in his buggy, He
heard her explaining to Miss Perkins
II came out from the city as sur
prise to visit Aunt Ellen, and | find
that Aunt Ellen has gone away shop
ping until tomorrow. VIII YOU take
me in for the night. please Hannah
'Wel, mebhe," Hannah graciously
complied. "rhey's Il man IN there,
come to supper" Sine added.
Good afternoon" she greeted
Philip pleasantly, and turned quickly
to light the forbidden fire.
1--WE are going to be cheerful she
told Hannah firmly.
Hannah cried the girl 81 am
coming out TO the kitchen to make
fluffy omelette to go with that ham;
you used to let me play about IN the
kitchen when | was a little girl, and
we will toast the bread, end have cur
meal here ON the little table before
the fire No. you must MOI object,
you shall be company this evening in
your own home"
Clogston threw aside his outer coat,
the room, MI nj once was fun Of rosy
light from fire and lamps The Visit.
Ing girl hummed happily as she laid
the white cloth on the sllalI cable,
She wore dress of vivid scarlet
which matched the color OF her lips
Its my old gray crepe" she in
formed Hannah, laughingly Il dyed
il to wear on days like this when I'm
alone; il makes me feel CHEEKY"
Later, as Hannah washed the dishes,
the girl anSv cred a bic ruefully 10 his
questioning concerning her identity.
"Nho am II oh, am just a failure.
| went four years ago to the city 10
study art. / was 20 be great
illustrator Aunt Ellen still believes
in me- so that she would sell her farm
in order 10 come on and help me But
won't have that sacrifice, SO l hurried
home to prevent IT, | grew up, you
see, IN Aunt Ellen's care.N
my name is Clogston,' Philip alb
ruptly announced, "and yours?' But
the girl smiling, shook her head
Tomorrow" She told him, I'VE shall
have gone our separate ways, and
names will mean nothing to us Good
night"
Philip arose when you came here
he said 81 was lost IN a cloud Of