Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-05-11

until it was a positive pain to look at
and listen to him.
Belle Lockwood, who sat next to Kate,
whispered something in her ear that
made her laugh, and then she caught
the eye of Bessie Birch. Bessie shook
her head, and Kate looked at her music,
and then at Bessie again.
For long time she gaZed, growing
more thoughtful every moment. Earli-
er in the evening she had heard some one
say: "Did you ever see happier looking
woman than Bessie's mother?" There
she sat, serene and smiling, every now
and then noddiRg to Bessie, as some
thing was said or done that met with
her approval.
Yes, she was looking as young, almost.
as Bessie herself. And as Kate watch
ed her, she remembered that they al
ways took delight in each other. Almost
everywhere they were together.
Mamma is my beau" How often she
had heard Bessie say that! Some way
her own mothers sad, pale face forced
itself before her.
'If mother only looked that" she
| sighed; "if mother would only be bright
and stirring and go about with meP'
auu Oucu IL OCCuEI0u " ucI budb ouC
had never really thought of that before.
She bad preferred Johnny-the clumsy
lad that she cared no more for than any
other friend, only that she liked to show
her power over him.
1t was not quite honorable. She felt her
self blush. If Johnny we're to ask her to-
morrow, she could not marry him. How
much nobler and better Bessie was act
ing!
And there was poor mother all alone.
Nobody to speak to, evening after eve
ming, seldom going out except to church
and so much prettier than Mrs. Birch.
Why, yes, prettier and younger looking.
If only she had some incentive, she
would be mother to be proud of.
allow selfish l have beeD," she thought,
with sigh.
"Katel are you dreaminfi? Didn't you
hear them give out the hymn? ?"
1t was Johnny who spoke, and Kate
almost resented his attention. He found
the place, opened the music, hoVered
about her, till the girls cheeks burned
again-everybody was looking at them.
Johnny I'm going home with Bessie"
she said, at the close of the evening.
"Yeu take some one else tonight"
Johnny stepped aside like one stunned,
conscious that something had offended
the girl-he couldn't not tell what-and
Kate walked home on the ether side of
Bessie's mother; for they passed Kate's
house.
Doesn't Mrs. Raynor ever go out?"
asked Mrs. Birch, unconscious of the
sting in the question. at seems as if
she would enjoy these meetings. You
see, Bessie won't go anywhere without
mother and so we enjoy all the good
things together"
With these words sounding in her
ears, Kate reached her home and went
in. 1t had seemed rather odd to be
without Johnny, but she respected her
monplace, even silly remarks, and his
often-recurring laugh.
Her mother had evidently been asleep,
and it smote the girls newly awakened
conscience to meet the weary,s smile.
II never tho't how lonesome you would
be-" she said, with kiss so tender that
it thrilled the achiug heart.
O-well-Mrs. Grace was here lit
tie whlle," said her mother.
Deliver me from her society" laugh
ed Kate. Nobody escapes her merci-
less tongue"
81 didn't expect you so soon, or I'd
have had little chocolate. Did-who
came home with you?"
Bessie and her beau," said Kate, de-
murely.
Bessie and who?" asked her mother.
81 didn's know any young man waited
upon Bessie"
"Ah, you don't know everythingl Bes-
sic has the incest beau you ever saw
perfectly devoted to her, and I'm going
to have just such another. have done
with Johnny"
well, you astonish me-" said Mrs.
Raynor. 81 didn't know as should ev-
er be curious again. How long has it
been? l never saw her with any one
but her mother"
And that just what 1 meanp said
Kate, her eyes dancing. Mother" We
been asleep this long, long while, and
I've just walked up to realize what I've
been dreaming about, and to feel sorry
for it. Do you know that am ashamed
of myself, because have neglected and
forgotten you. You are ever so much
younger and prettier than Bessie's moth
er, and if you will accept the Office,
will have you instead of Johnny, here
after, for companion. I've walked up
to realize that nobody does, or ever will,
love me as mother does"
"Oh, my dear childT exclaimed her
mother, with a sob, taking her in her
arms, "this repays me for all the past. l
have sometimes-not often-felt little
neglected and lonesome since your faith
- ,.-rInk II ly1
what plans 1 used to make against the
time you should be- my companion as
well as my daughter. And when I've
seen Bessie and her mother"
"Well, no matter. shall never feel,
never think, that again, for the good
Father has granted nay prayer and CIV
en- my darling back 10 mel"