The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1882-01-14


vet perfectly free frem fawning-to come
to his home and be convinced that Mamie
had made, not nlarred, his happiness.
Mrs. Ruslington was conquered by the
letter-by the sweet news that always
touches a true woman's heart.
Almost all those long months, since hel
darling had gone from her house to be the
delight of another loving woman's life, she
had been wearying for him, and daily
hourly regretting that she had said such
cruel things to him,
Within an hour she was with her son at
his Office, the first time she had seen him
since the day he had told her Mamie Nor
gan was his wife, and this proud woman
sobbed out her true heartfulness on hel
sons breast.
1T was wrong in me, Ernest, III admit
it. | will endeayor to atone by going at
once to your wife But, my boy, # | can
love her as / would ike to do, you mustn
blame me, will you? III try for your own
and your baby's sake.
Ernest smiled confidently.
You won't have TO try, mother. You L
find the dearest little woman in the world
glad to receive you, and waiting to love you
as a dear child should. Go to herat once.
She did go, and was shown into the par
lor by the maid without giving her name
merely requesting the girl TO tell her mis-
tress that a lady desired to see her.
There came into the room a slight, grace
full. girlish creature with beautiful violet
blue eyes, and hair of soft lustrous brown,
that was erimped slightly from the parting
and gathered into thick Grecian knot at
the back of the classic little head. She
wore wrapper of gray serge, with Pock-
cts. collar and buttons Of brown silk. There
was dainty linen collar and bright blue
ribbon bow ali the neck, and linen cuffs at
the small round wrists.
There were no earrings or jewclry of ans
kind, and Mrs. Ruslington Judgment gave
thrill Of approval-even under protest
from pride-as this girlishly-woman crea-
ture came forward with an ease end gra-
ciousness that never could have been ae-
quired.
am glad YOU have come. Lay of year
cloak and hat, please, and We will 60 into
the nursery. | have all my drcssmaking
done there now. 50 that ! can keep an eye
to baby, YOU know,
Mus. Ruslington liked the voice much.
but hardly the popularity Of address
In the Dursery, Mrs RuSlington. eer-
tainly would be glad to see the baby.
You will see plenty of her. Mrs Er-
nest laughed. before | am done with you.
Oh. did you bring the polonaise pattern
Mrs.-there / told my husband | never
could remember the dressmaker's name he
said he would send-Mrs-oh, yes-Mrs,
Abercrombiel Did you bring the polo
naise pattern
Mrs Ruslington, senior, understood It
all in fash. Her danghter-in-law, whom
she had finally condescended TO visit, mrs
took her for the dressmaker.
Mrs, Ruslington, junior, was iuwsrdly
astonished to see such digni6ed, we'll
dressed lady come to make up her black
silk. and, while Mamie was absent = mo
ment in response TO liftlc nesting cry from
Baby Helen. Grandmamma Helen sudden
" began to enjoy the situation. and when
Mamie came back, sid
Il have forgotten the pattern, Mrs. Rus.
linst0n, but | think We can make the skiri
first. and leave the poleuaise until to-mor-
row. And Mrs Helen Berwyn Rushing.
ton. or Mrs. Ross Ruslington, as her eards
read, actually cut out and bas;ed the brcadths
in her despised daughter-in-law black silk
She contrived the trimming, and made
stylish suggestions that Mamie congratalat-
ed herself on her acquisition.
And the while, there was not a look, a
word, gesture of the young wife's that
escaped the eyes Of the deit- handed masque-
raider. She watched the tender, womanly
way she cared for her little one the scnsi.
bic. economical mode Of her housekeeping
arrangements the plain, palatable lunch
the dignity of the young mistress to heI
one servant her intelligent industriousneSs
and her sewing while baby slept her pa
tience, her amiability, and her beautiful un-
conscious alteration Of her husband that be
trayed itself at every turn.
Il was not Yet O'Clock Of that memcra-
bic day before Mrs. Ross Ruslington had
thoroughly made up her mind that hen
sons wife was far superior to Geneyieve
Wallace, and that Ernest had shown his
accustomed foresight, judgment and taste
in choosing between the tive.
IF only can get her to talk about me,
thought she, as she raade side-plaiting
thoroughly enjoying the excitement of the
occasion
A while later she purpcsely introduced
the subject.
"Your baby has an uncommon name
Helen. Is it fancy name T.
's0h, no ! it's for my husbands mother
Isn't it beautiful name p
Mamie stroked the soft little hand lying
doubled up on her bosom while the child
slept
VERY pretty So old Mrs. Ruslington'
name is Helen, is it? Do YOU know
never had much of an opinion of her
They saw she is hanghty, unfortunate ana
obstinate.
40h, no, Mrs. Abercrombie; my mother
in-law is one of the most perfect ladies you
can imagine She may be haughty-rich
people are apt to be-and she-may be-is
unforgiving where she feels she has been
ill-used. Any one would be, would they
not? But obstinate-no, I'm quite sure
not
''You are well acquainted with her; You
should know
Mamie's fair cheek flushed.
Il am not acquainted with her at all.
have never seen her, for she was so disap-
pointed when her son married me that she
refuses to know me If she only would,
am sure | would make her love me.
would give baby into her arms, and let her
see she is Ernest all over again. would
tell her how / had called her after her,
hoping my child would make as noble a
woman as reared my husband. I"
And just as Mrs. Ruslington dashed
down the plating her trembling hands
could no longer hold, just as she was going
to snatch Mamie to her well-won heart, the
door opened, and her son, handsome, cherry.
gay, came in.
This is splendid Mother, dear, this
is all my home needed-to sec you here
Mamie how natural and coy it all is
Why-what ?"
Mamie had risen from her chair, bewil-
dered, pale; and Mrs. ''Abercrombie' stood