“All this is very true,” he answered; “but I see the relationship in a far different light.  I shall be your father-in-law, and consequently my own brother’s grandfather-in-law.”

“You mistake, Mr. Tom.  Don’t you see that Carry—­”

“No mistake at all about it, ma’am, for I’ve promised to marry your mother, Mrs. Marrables!”

“Monster!” cried Mrs. Wimbush aloud, and went off shrieking.

The music stopped, and there was a great fuss.  But above all the others was heard the voice of Mrs. Marrables.  “Don’t be alarmed, pray.  She is subject to it; she went off just like that the other day at a picnic.  Poor young thing, a very little upsets her.  Let me come to my little gu-url, then.”

They moved her into another room.  Presently Mrs. Wimbush opened her eyes.  “Mother! how dare you come near me!  Go away, do!  You ought to be ashamed of yourself, at your time of life!”

“My time of life!  Why, I’m only fifty-four—­about ten years older than Tom.  How can you talk so to your mother!”

“Mother, if you don’t leave the room, I will.  It’s really disreputable to have you for a mother.  You’ve never done me any credit.”

“My dear, I am so glad to think you feel well enough to leave the room that I will remain.”

Mrs. Wimbush got up and went home.

Jilted, first for her daughter, and next for her mother!  This was too much.  Mrs. Wimbush went to church as regularly as any one, but revenge, after all, is very sweet.

Six weeks afterward Mrs. Wimbush recovered sufficient fortitude to go and call on her mother.

“Well, child, I’m glad you are going to be friendly; there is nothing like harmony in a family circle.  Let us consider the relationships into which we are about to enter, that we may rightly judge of our responsibilities and duties.  I and my granddaughter are going to marry two brothers—­the consequence is, she and I will be sisters-in-law.  But as you are mother of my sister-in-law, you will nearly be my mother-in-law, which is a very singular relationship for a daughter to sustain toward her mother, especially when she is not the wife of one’s father-in-law.  Now, as”—­

“Wait a moment, dear mamma; I’ve news for you; I’m going to marry old Unguent!  Old Mr. Brookshank has asked me to be his wife, and I’ve consented.  The consequence is, I shall be head of the family, and bona-fide mother-in-law to you all.  I don’t think we need trouble about harmony, for we shall be a united family, more so than any I know of.”

Before her marriage, Mrs. Marrables set to work to draw up a table of the relationships involved by the three weddings.  It is an extensive work in three volumes, and when our readers see The Brookshank Family advertised, they will know what it means.

* * * * *

OUR
New Clubbing List
FOR 1884.

THE PRAIRIE FARMER
IN CONNECTION
WITH OTHER JOURNALS.