Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-02-26
DIR. MOTIONS MOTHER.

The clock on the mantel had just
cbimed one short musical stroke
Through the half-closed blind shone the
sllvery light of the fast-Waning moon;
the candle had burned low in it's sock
ct; the log of wood had converted it.
self to ashes; but of all this Doctor
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, if the 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 III Violet Fane's
keeping and she had accepted it. No
wonder that it all seemed new and
strange to him-that he was needless OF
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 home worthy of her-but the
memory Of the days when he had run,
a 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
he longed.
He had succeeded well 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
tlents 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 wife-Violet whose every
association was in such widely differ
ent sphere-couldi 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 Notions 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 We. Y early.
Londonl 1t lay ten long hours away.
1t would be almost night-fall before she
arrived. How glad Bernard would be
20 see herl 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 il
looked so grand in its lustrous folds that
It seemed a 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 III
his lonely home. She hoped he might
be out when she arrived, that she might
take off her bonnet, and, slipping on
Il, Ia l. L ~
knitting in hand, quietly seated by the
iireside, waiting his 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 al
the smiling old face, with something al
their heart-strings which almost brought
moisture into their eyes.
1t was quite nightfall when the city
was reached. There had been some
slight delay on the road, and the old
lady felt sinking at the brave heart
which had prompted her mission. How.
ever she succeeded in finding a cabman
willing to take her to the address she
held in her hand.
at must be a mistake, or he has
brought me to the wrong place. Oh,
dear what shall do?" she sighed, as he
drew rein before large, handsome
house, presenting q weli-lghted front,
in one of the most aristocralic 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 suspicious shortness of 3
certain portion vi Lis attire, which
reached only to his knees, where they
were met by stiff leather leggings, the
woman would have dropped him d
courtesy.
Past the doctors office hours
ma'am," he said, in response to hel
feeble appeal. ''It's as much as my
place is worth to take in your ca1d."
"But have no card; h see me
rm-I'm"-
But she did not finish the sentence
only stepped inside the door and stood
under the full glare of the hall lam ?
The man looked askance st the sing u
lar apparition. Her hat was crushed
and bent, her dress bore evidence OF the
dus. of travel, and in her hand was q
huge handbook, containing the hat
which was to astonish the Londoners.
Indeed, ma'am," the man began
but the old lady walked steadily on tc
the door, beneath whose threshold she
deserted stream of light.
The hot flush had by this time burned
out of Doctor Notions cheek. The
mornings dawn had dissipated the fool
ish fancies of the night. His duties fo1