Middletown transcript., 1880-03-06
Storp.
DR.. NOTIONS MOTHER.

L
chimed one short, musical stroke
Through the halfclosed blinds shone
the silvery light of the tast-wanIng
moon: F.: the candle had burned low IN
its socket; the log Of wood had con
verted itself to ashes but Of all this
Dr.. Bernard Motion saw or heard
nothing. as he sat in his office chair,
lost in thought. If the moon had bid
den the world good night, if the can
dies feeble existence had entirely
ceased, and even the red glow OF the
ashes in the CRATE had died away, ne
would still have seen only the picture
of the woman's face whom ne loved.
Il was with him now as it had been
with him for hours past, since the
moment he had placed his fate in VI
olet Fane's keeping, and she had ac,
eepted it. No wonder that it all
seemed new and strange to him-that
he was needless of time and space.
She was such a delicate, high-born
lady, and he-ah, another vision came
before him now. Not the cheerful Of
fee, with its luxurious appointments
he might at least offer Violet a home
worthy of hei-but the memory OF the
days when he had run, little bare
footed lad, about his mothers cottage,
and she telling 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, 10 learn the
profession for which he longed.
He had succeeded well and bravely,
beyond his most ambitious hopes; but
the m1ther 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
little cottage, thinking Of, and praying
fol her boy, who was so good and gen
erous to her; but was it his fault that
his patients 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 then.
And now-now that he thought Of
Violet Fame as his wife-Violet, with
her high-bred ways-Violet, whose
every association was in such widely
different sphere-could it be that 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 a red-hot flush burned on
DR.. 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 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
persistently haun.ed 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. 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 cour-
age as though for has sake she would
not do or dare anything
She was sorry now she had not had
the village dressmaker make up the
black silk he had sent her, but it look
ed so grand, in its lustrous folds, that
it seemed pity to touch it with the
scissors, and she would seem more
natural like to Bernard in her stuff
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, slip
ping on her white cap, let him find
her, with her knitting in hand, quietly
seated by the ireside, waiting his re-
turn.
All the way in the train, when at
last she had started on her journey,
she could hardly keep her happy
thoughts to herself; and more than
once glanced at the smiling old face,
with something tugging at their
heart strings which almost brought
moisture into their eyes.
It 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.
However, she succeeded in finding a
cabman willing to take her to the ad-
dress she held in her hand.
lit 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 a well-lighted front,
in one Of the most aristocratic portions
of Mayfair.
But cabby reassured her, and she
soon found herself, surrounded by
boxes and bundles, facing the formid-
able gentleman" who opened the
| door.
Save for a suspicious shortness Of q
certain portion Of his attire, which
reached only to his knees, where thew
were met BY stiff leather leggins, the
worthy woman would have dropped
him a courtesy.
Past the doctors office hours
ma'am," he said, in response to her
feeble appeal.
"It's as much es my place is worth
to take in your card"
"But l have no card. He'll see me
I'm-L'm"
But she did not finish the sentence
only stepped inside the door, and
stood under the full glare of the LIGHT
of the hall lamp.
The man looked askance at the sin
gular apparition. Her hat was crush
ed and bent, her dress bore evidence
of the dust of travel, and in her hand
was a huge bandbox, containing the