River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-02-26
Dir. MOTIONS MOTHER.

Bernard Motion saw or heard nothing,
as he sat in his office chair lost IN
thought. If the moon had hidden the
world good night, ifthe candles feeble
existence had entirely ceased, and even
the red glow of the ashes in the CRATE
had died away, he would still have
seen only the picture of the woman's
face whom he loved.
1t WAS with him now as it had been
with him for hours past, the moment he
had placed his fate in Violet Fane's
keeping and she had accepted it. No
wonder that it all seemed new and
strange 10 him-tnat he was needless OF
time and space she was such a deli
cate, high-born lady, and he-ah,
another vision came before him now.
Not the cheerful office with its luxurious
appOintments-he plight at least offer
Violet a home worthy of heI-but the
memory Of the days when he had run,
little barefoOted lad, about his
mothers cottage, and she toiling for
her only child had earned one by one
the dollars which had sent him first to
the village school, and then to the great
city, to learn the profession for which
lie longed.
He had succeeded we'll and bravely,
beyond his most ambitious hopes; but
the mother who had toiled for him,
where was she? Why was it that to-
night her old, wrinkled face drove even
Violet Fane's beauty from him?
True, he had no longer allowed her
to work; true, she sat at ease in her lit
tie cottage, thinking of and praying for
her boy, who was so good and generous
to her, but it was his fault that his pa
tients were so many, and his hours so
precious, that he could find no time to
gladden. her old heart by glimpse of
him now and then.
And now-now that he thought OF
Violet as his W fe-ViOlet whose every
association was in such widely differ
ent sphere-cOuld it be he was ashamed
Of his mother?
The candle died out entirely; the
wood was white ashes now: the moon
had sunk to rest; the clock chimed
two; but red hot flush burned on Doc
tor Motions cheek, as he rose to find
his way up to his room and bed, and
perhaps forgetfulness in sleep.
For three long hours he sought the
boon in vain, and when at last it ca me
to him and his tired eyes closed, how
could he but dream of those other eyes
just awakening in their far-off home
which somehow tonight had SO per-
sistently haunted his thoughts?
In the little cottage all was hustle,
for Mrs. Motion had determined to give
her boy a surprise, and the train for
London started very early.
London! 1t lay ten long hours away.
IL II L f,1t III 81,
arrived. How glad Bernard would be
to see her! He had never proposed her
coming, because he had thought she
would not find the courage; as though
for him she would not do or dare any
thing.
She was sorry now that she had not
had the village dressmaker make up
the black silk he had sent her, but it
looked 80 grand in its lustrous folds that
it seemed pity to touch it with the scis-
sOrs, and she would seem more natural
like TO Bernard in her stiff dress.
How often she had pictured him IN
his lonely home. She hoped he might
be out when she arrived, that she might
take off her bonnet, and, slipping or
her white cap, let him find her, with
knitting in hand, quietly seated by the
hreslde, waiting MS return.
All the way in the train, when at last
she had got started on her journey, she
could hardly keep her happy thoughts
TO herself; and more than one glanced at
the smiling old face, with something at
their heart strings which almost brought
moisture into their ewes.
Il was quite nightfall when the city
was reached. There had been some
slight delay on the road, and the old
LADY felt a sinking at the brave heart
which had prompted her mission. How
ever she succeeded in finding cabman
willing to take her to the address she
held in her hand.
at must be Il mistake, or he has
brought me to the wrong place. On,
dear what shall do ?" she sighed, as he
drew rein before 4 large, handsome
house, presenting a weli-lghted front,
in one of the most aristocratic portions
Of Mayfair.
Bnt cabby treasured her. and she
soon found herself surrounded by boxes
and bundles. facing the formidable
gentleman" who opened the door.
Save for a suspicious shortness of a
certain portion Uf Lis attire, which
reached only to his knees, where they
were met by stiff leather leggings, the
woman would have dropped him
courtesy.
Past the doctors office hours,
ma'am," he said, i'll response to her
feeble appeal. Its as much as my
place is worth to take in your card"
"But have no card; he'll see me,
I'm-Im"-
But she did not finish the sentence
only stepped inside the door and stood
under the full glare of the hall lamp
The man looked askance Mt the singu
lar apparition. Her hat was crushed
and bent, her dress bore evidence OF the
duss of travel, and in her hand was
huge handbook, containing the hat
which was to astonish the Londoners.
Indeed, ma'am." the man began.
but the old lady walked steadily ON TO
the door, beneath whose threshold she
deserted stream Of light.
The hot flash had by this time burned
out of Doctor Notions cheek. The
mornings dawn had dissipated the fool
ish fancies of the night. His duties for
the dav were over, and he was free to
seek Violet, whose wonderful eyes
would light up rs he entered, and whose
lips would perhaps brush his cheeks
with their velvety caresses.
He sprang to his feet to seek her,
when the door softly opened, and turn
ing he saw-could it be dream, con
iured up by his restless fancies of the
night before-his mother! Close behind
was the wholly wondering, half apollo
getic face of his butler. 1t took him
full minute to realiz, it was no dream:
and then thonor to. his manhood) sud
den. overwhelming tenderness swept
away all else, and with a glad cry of
Mother" he clasped her to his breast:
When she had grown calmer and
more at rest, beginning TO look around
and wonder and admire, a little feeling
of irritation began to grow at his heart.
Why had she come? Had he not made
all comfortable for her at home. Here
she would be constrained. unnatural.
And Violet. He could picture the as
tonished look that would creep into her
eyes when he said to her: This is my
mother" nay, more, the haughty curve
which would gather about her mouth,
so rich, and ripe, and sweet. So the
question at his heart found words, and
he scarcely himself knew the innate IT.
IL L