Democratic Sentinel, Volume 14, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 July 1890 — HER MOTHER-IN-LAW. [ARTICLE]

HER MOTHER-IN-LAW.

The first tiff that young Mrs. Garland had with her husband when they came to live in Cloverdale Cottage was whether his mother should vist them. Harry wanted her to come and see them, but, as Sophie pouted and threatened ’to burst into tears, he agreed that for the present they would not speak of his mother’s visit What was the young wife’s surpise, a few days later, to see a juvenile, elderly looking lady alight at the gate and enter. •Mamma!” she exclaimed. •■Yes, darling, it’s me,” said Mrs. Percy, her mother. "I was on my way to Saratoga; so I thought I would surprise you and dear Harold. ” Mrs. Peregrine Percy was one of those old young ladies who remind one forcibly of an antique piece of furniture varnished up to look like new. Sophie Garland had never been in sympathy with her fashionable mother. She had married in opposite direction to that lady’s wishes, and was, to tell the truth, not especially pleased at her appearance on the scene at this particular moment. "But what am I to do?” she said to herself. I certainly can't turn her out of doors; though I’m sure I don’t know what Harry will say after all those disagreeable things I said about his mother.

Garland was too much of a gentleman not to behave like a Sir Launcelot under any circumstances. He welcomed Mrs. Percy with genuine hor p.tality, and did not even notice Sophie’s appealing glances when the old lady incidently let fall the information that, since she liked the situation of Cloverdale Cottage so well, she should, perhaps, remain there all summer, • ‘just to keep Sophie company, you know.” "It is so good of Harry not* to fling back my own silly words into my face.” she thought, with a thrill of gratitude. But at the end of a week Mrs. Peregrine Percy sickened. •‘I hope it is not going to be anything serious,” said she. "Siokness does age a person so. I never had any wrinkles, you know, dear, before I had that last attack of neuralgia.” But when it transpired that Mrs. Percy’s ailment was the severe and contagious form of disease known as "spotted fever,” there was a general commotion at Cloverdale Cottage. The servants gave warning; the neighbors kept away; and poor Sophie was weary, worn out with nursing and fatigue, when one day a gentle little woman dressed in black presented herself. "She will see you, ma-am,” said the little charity girt who alone coiitd be induced to cross the infected threshold, and who loudly declaired that * ‘at the asylum she had had everything, and wasn’t afraid of nothing.” "I told her to go away, but it was no good.” Sophie, pale and haggard, crept down into th# darkened drawingroom.

“1 don’t know who you are,” said Bhe, • ‘or what your business is, but you had better go away. There’s a terrible sickness here.” “I know it,’’ answered a mild voice, * ‘and that is the very reason I am here. lam Harry’s mother, darling. I have come to help you.” So, like a ministering angel, the “mother-in-law” came into the house just as Sophie herself succumbed to the fell disease. No sooner did Mrs. Peregrine Percy recover than she packed her trunks and made off for Saratoga as fast as possible “One always needs a change after illness, ” said she. * ‘And the atmosphere of a sick room always was most depressing for me. I dare say that good Mrs. Garland will do all that is necessary for dear Sophie, and I have my own welfare to look after.” Sophie, just able to sit up in a pillowed arm-chair, her cheeks hollowed by illness, her large eyes shinning from deep, purple circles, looked after the departing carriage and then lifted her glance to the tender nurse who sat beside her. “Mother,” she said, wistfully, “you will not leave meP” “Notunless you send me away, Sophie,” said Mrs. Garland, tenderly. ' ‘And that will be never, ” said Sophie, closing her eyes with a sigh of relief. “How angel-good you have been to me! Without you I should surely have died. And even in her slumber she could not nest peacefully unless she held Mrs. Garlapd’s hand in hers. that evening when Eferry came home she opened her heart to him. “Harry,” she saM, “dan yon ever, forgfce me?” '

“Forgive you, dearest?” “For what 1 said about oui dear, dear, mother,” fervently uttered Sophie. • *Bhe Is precious beyond expression to me now. She has saved ray life by her courage and devotion. And I feel that I cannot part with her any more. Would she stay here With us always, do you think. Harry?” Harry smiled gravely. “I am her only son, Sophie,” said he. “Yes, I think she will—if you ask her,” Sophie made her-vwfesM’V.n- to her mother in-la'v at once, •i was so rude, so *• pills' *)>*• - nn-

And Mrs. Garland's tender kiss was a seal of the most loving forgiveness. Mrs- Peregrine Percy never has gone back to Cloverdale Cottage.