The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1880-06-12
DIR. NOTIONS MOTHER.

The clock on the mantel had Just
chimed one short, musical stroke
Through the half closed blinds shone the
silvery light of the fast-waning moon I;
the candle had burned low in its socket :
the log of wood had converted itself to
ashes; but of all this DR.. Bernard Mol
ton saw or heard nothing, as he sat in
his office chair, lost in thought. If the
moon had hidden the world goodnight,
if the candies feeble existence had en-
tirely 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, since the mo-
ment he had placed his fate in Violet
Fane's keeping, and she had accepted
it. No wonder that it all seemed new
and strange to him-that he was heed
less of time and space. She was such a
delicate, high-born lady, and he-ah !
another vision came before him now.
Not the cheerful office, with its luxu-
rious appointments might at least
offer Violet home worthy of her-.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 he
longed.
He had succeeded we'll and bravely,
beyond his ambitious hopes; but the
mother who had toiled for him-where
was she? Why was it that tonight 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 was it 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 a glimpse of
him now and thenp
And now-now that he thought OF
high-bred ways-Violet, whose every
association was in such a widely differ
ent sphere-could it be that he was
ashamed of his mother?
The candle died out entirely; the wood
was white with ashes now; the moon
had sunk to rest, the clock chimed two ;
but a red-hot flush burned on DR.. Mol
toms 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 came
to him, and his tired eyes closed, how
could he but dream of those other eyes
just awakening in the far-off home,
which somehow tonight had so persist
entity haunted his thoughts?
In the little cottage all was hustle, for
Mrs. Motion had determined to give her
boy surprise, and the train for London
started very early.
London! 1t lay ten long hours away.
1t would be almost nightfall when she
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 his sake she would not dare or do
any thing!
She was sorry now she had not had
the village dressmaker make up the
black silk he had sent her, but it 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 in
his lonely home! She hoped he might
be out when she arrived, that she mi ght
take off her bonnet, and, slipping on
her white cap, let him find her, with her
knitting in hand, quietly seated by the
fre-side, 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
at the smiling old face, with some-
thing Juggling at 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 a 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.
"It must be mistake, or he has
brought me to the wrong place. o,
dear, what shall do?" she sighed, as
he drew rein before large, handsome
house, presenting well-lighted front,
in one of the most aristocratic portions
of Mayfair.
But cabby treasured her and she soon
found herself, surrounded by boxes and
bundles, facing the formidable "gentle-
man" who opened the door.
Save for suspicious shortness of a
portion of his attire, which reached only
to his knees, where they were met by
stiff leather leggings, the worthy woman
would have dropped him courtesy.
Past the Doctors Office hours,
ma'am," he said, in response to her
feeble appeal "It's as much as my
place is worth to take in your card"
"But have no card. He'll see me.
I'm-I'm-"
But she did not finish the sentence
only stepped inside of the door and