The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-02-16
MY MOTHERS SECRET.
BY MARY KYLE DALLAS.


Mother and father had been nothing to
me since could remember anything.
had been educated at DIR. Sartain's
school, and from thence had gone to col
Iege. There had never been any lack of
money. The bills had been paid
promptly I had pocket money and
good clothes, but never went home for
the holidays, and no one ever came to
see me. On my thirteenth birthday a
watch was sent to me, with "From your
loving mother" engraved on the case,
and then said to DR.. Sartain:
"When am to see my parents? This
seems as though my mother loved me.
Does she ever care to see me?"
DR.. Sartain answered:
"Your mother is very fond of you, and
an excellent mother, but your father is
compelled to remain absent from home"
supposed from this that both my
parents We're abroad, and asked no more
questions.
Four years after this the news was
sent me that my father was dead, but
there was no alteration in my position. I
went to college, chose my profession
the law-and finally entered into the
office of Gay & Brothers, with every
prospect of success in my career. l
had but one anxiety-my strange posi-
ton.
My parents, it appeared to me, must
be wealthy. If they were also re-
spectacle, why had my father never sent
for me? Why did my mother never give
me any token of her desire to see her
son? 1 was man now. had the right
70 ask the question and to be answered.
But feared the answer, and delayed.
My acquaintance were many; my
friends four-the doctor, his wife, my
old fellow pupil at his school, Roger
Wharton, and my laundress.
Yes, the laundress, Aunt Betsy, as
every one called her, humble though
she was, was one of my friends. and not
the least valued of them.
She was rosy old woman, straight
and thin, but strong and hearty. She
had taken ''the boys things" to wash
ever since I could remember. A boy
drove little donkey cart to the door,
with the great baskets upon it, but she
came once a week, to bring her bills and
get her money, I suppose; and the doc
tors wife made much of her, and told
her about the children's doipgs, and the
UOYS were DlodScu W occ AOk iOuAQ AAttAO
face. She had taken q special fancy to
Roger Wharton and to me, and our linen
always came home mended and our
stockings darned. OF course she took
my washing home, now that I lived in
Adependently, and the moderation OF her
prices was novelty in the laundry
world.
sYou ask too little" I sometimes
said. But she always answered:
81 charge quite enough-quite enough,
Mr.. Arthur"
She kept up her interest in my studies
still, she admired my law books, and
wondered at my knowledge. Twas more
pleased to see Aunt Betsy come into my
room than was to see many q fine &C.
quaintance whose recognition was an
honor. I shall always be glad to re-
member that.
1 confided in her little, and one day
she looked at me solemnly, shook her
head and said:
s'Ah, boys need . mother. Do you
ever think Of yours, lad2"
IT think more of her than she does of
me-" said.
'iDon't dare to say that, lad" replied
che old woman. "Your mother is sore
hearted to b parted from You in this
Uay."
s'How do You know9'' cried, star ting
up. ..Do you know my mother, Aunt
Betsy"
She gathered up her basket, looking ct
ms askance.
"whstsvsr / know kssp to myself"
~sl,s said: but remember your mother
loves you. always has, and always viii.
Remember that" And then she went
hae Wy.
That evening / thought her words
h. over until / could bsar il no longer, and
putting on my hat, went TO DR.. 6ar-
6nin's house, and asked who and whore
ny parents we're.
Tie doctor and Mrs. Sartain eat to-
ep4her in his study, and l took the chair
which was od'bssd ne, and drew it b.
tuoon theirs.
II have eoms 10 ask you some ques-
tSooa." sid I--''questions which ! have
: riekt 70 60 Win yoa proniss % an
~ thsmf"
sPrniss my love-" said Mn. saF
e IN dssils vhsa ! hevs hssrd u
~nnss>iena. |" ~ deeos se1sIsd'