Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1876-09-18

ther pleads. 'AIust you really 60 back
tomorrow, Dayy ?''
To-day, you mean. mother. Look,
we have chatted till after midnight, al
ready Never mind, we have four whole
hours more, thanks to the new railway.
Don't 60 to bed, mother; l cannot spare
you for that time"
She had never thought of leaving him.
So beside the cheerful fire they sit and
talk first of the lives which they have
separately led, and then of that lite
which they are presently to lead togeth-
er-tor David has come home on purpose
to bring joyful tidings. The long talk
ed of home will be ready soon, for he is
earning a high salary now, and all the
old bright plans are to be carried out.
But, Dayy," Mrs. Sullivan says,
when she rises at last to prepare the ear
ly breakfast, "how very hard you must
be working, only to be spared for one
day, after whole twelve months of ser
vice :"
81 could have had one holiday be-
tween" he answers, ''but l would not
take it. 1t was wiser not, mother, as
this is an expensive journey, even now
that we have the railway"
"And you have been sending me your
money. David"
'.But am earning SO much now. ="
the young man says, with bright ex-
citement in his eyes.
'.And are you happy, David ?''
Very happy, mOther-thinking how
soon everything will be as 1 planned it
long ago.
"But for yourself alone, are you hap
by, dear ?' she asks, wistfully.
81 ! Oh, yes, mother, quite happy"
Another gOod-bye-"But the last, -
David says. as again and again he kiss
es his mothers shaking lips.
David had said that he would spend
his birthday at home-that June day
which has always been the one holiday
of the year to the widowed mother-b but
on the morning before arrives a letter
which tells her that he is obliged to de.
lay his coming. London is very full, he
says, and he is very busy; so he cannot
/ e,-L - 1~.-'- -
In every line of this letter the mother
can read his disappointment. as well a
the sorrow it gives him to disappoin
her and tears come and blot out thi
loving words, as well as the proud de
scriptions of the home which is all read
for her now, out in one of the pleasan
northern suburbs. They blot out eve
that simple request at the end-"Thinl
of me more than ever tomorrow. moth
er, and pray for me just at nightfall a
that very hour when we have been use
to sit together in the porch on other haE
} py birthday nights"
There is the present of money whic
: most letters bring her now, and 1t
while she holds this money in her han
; that she forms a sudden resolution
which comes to her at that moment &
so natural one that she wonders whel
S it has been hidden before.
/ She is on her way from the villaG
5 post-ofice when the plan suggests itsel
r and when she reaches home cher stel
: quick in the new excitement) she ST
d down in her old seat in the porch an
r makes it all clear to herself. David
II working very haId, and is to be lone
|. on his birthday. How can she bett
e use his gift to her than by giving him
n pleasure he cannot expect, and so pr
h vent his being solitary on that di
5, which they have never yet spent apart
is AS he cannot come to her, she will 60
d him. All how his face will bright
when he sees his mother come in ! HC
5, he will start up with outstretched arr
IN to clasp her That moment will rep
D. her for any trouble she may have
Id reaching him.
When once the resolution Is formed
d, holds her tenaciously, and she begi
as her preparations at once. glad and eK'
er ted as child She packs her basA
K putting in chicken and butter a
Ie, cream. because David has said that
We never enjoys these things in London
nd he does at home and she smiles as
he ties dainty white cloth over them a
for she is picturing her boys dellt
lly when he shall unpack these luxur
J." which she has brought him from his
me village. All that night she lies ava
for vet rises brisk and active. almost "
l a dering if she can really be the Nj
at Sullivan who has never entered r
way carriage in her life-she. tra'
ear er, starting alone to a far-of city
law which she knows nothing.
ich Taking her basket on her arm,
Oh walks to the rectOry to leave the key
Oes her cottage with her clergyman. and
the obtain from him instructions for
.er- journey. He gives them clearly
circumstautially and. walking with
nm to the station. sees her of, with the
div eious basket in her care and that
mo- Of steadfast happiness IN her eyes
,;ng IL i long Journey. but the ante