Northwest enterprise. [volume] (Anacortes, Wash. Ter.) 1882-1887, 1883-02-24

Mary motioned her to keep her seat.
What is you name?" said she
pleasantly.
Louise NARROW, miss"
"Marlow? That is an unusual
name, isn't it?" said Mary Clairmont,
coloring in spite of herself.
We're English, miss" said the old
woman, struggling bravely with her
asthma. There amt many of us IN
this country. I've a son, miss, IN the
law business, as any mother might
we'll be proud OF"
"A SON" echoed Mrs. Cunningham,
land you in the almshouse?"
Not that it's his fault the old
creature made haste to explain. My
son is to be married to fine, proud
young lady, as is fit for any Prince
in all the land, and of course he
can't be expected to burden himself
with a helpless old woman like me-
He says I'm to write and let him
know how l get along, ana If I'm
sick or anything, he'll try to see me
sewed carpets until the asthma got
hold of me, and supported myself
comfortably. But of course l couldn't
lay up anything for rany day
who could? And Harry couldn't
help me for he's getting ready to be
married, poor lad. So l went to DIR.
Merton. and asked him did he know
of any decent place where an old
woman like me could end her days
in peace. And he gave me a card to
come here, and some money to pay
nv travelling expenses--Heaven bless
him!-and here l am"
Mary Clairmont had listened quiet
ly to the garrulous tale, but the color
had varied in her cheeks more than
once as she stood there.
lis your sons name Harry Mar
low?" she said slowly and thought
fully. -.
Yes, miss, at your service" said
the old woman with duck of her
white capped head, which was meant
to do duty in place of the impossible
courtesy.
rs he like this?" said DIR. Mary,
taking photograph from her pocket.
The old woman with trembling
hands fitted ON her iron trimmed
spectacles and looked at the picture,
uttering little cry of recognition.
Sure, miss, it's his own self" she
cried. YOU'RE acquainted with him
then?"
Somewhat" said DIR. Mary, com
posedly, as she returned the photo
graph to its place.
perhaps you know the young lady
my son is to marry"
YES" said DIR. Mary, writing
something in her prescription book
Il have seen her"
perhaps MISS" faltered the old
woman, 'you would give her my
humble duty, and tell her would
lust like to see her once, and see
what she is like. There's no fear 81
my troubling her miss, for | mean tt
end my days here But would like
to see her just once, miss. Would
you please write to my son and tel
him where am? for | am no scholar
myself, and I'm his mother, after all
And if it wouldn't be asking toe
much
"Tll write to him." said DR.. Mary
quietly, and so she went away.
II never see lady doctor afore,
said old Mrs. NARROW, with long
) sigh; "but she's pretty creetur, ane
it seem good to have her around.
hope she'll come again soon."
"You may be very sure of that,
said the matron, brusquely. ''Dr
Clairmont amt one to neglect pool
people because they are poor
That evening Aunt 10, frying
crullers over the kitchen fire, was
surprised by visit from her niece
who came in all wrapped in furs
with her cheeks crimsoned with the
frosty wintry air.
"Bless mel this amt your saio
Aunt 10, peering over the rims o.
her spectacles.
IL drove over TO see you, Aunt 10,
said Mary, ''to tell you that you were
right. The metal was counterfeit"
"Eh?" said Aunt 10, mechanical.
landing out the brown curly crullers
although she did not look at what sh'
was doing.
Il have written to Harry NARROW
canceling our engagement" said DR.
Mary calmly, albeit her voice falteret
little. The man who will heart
lessly let his poor old mother go int
an almshouse, sooner than take tn
trouble to maintain her, can be n,
fit husband for any woman"
And then she sat down by the fir
and told Aunt 10 everything, fol
grabbed. crusty old Aunt 10 had
been like mother TO her, and the
girls heart was full to overfowing
When she had ceased speaking
Aunt 10 nodded her head.
"You have done well and wisely,
said she.
Old Mrs. NARROW died that white
in Aldenbury almshouse, with hel
head on DR.. Mary Clairmonts ARM
and never knew that her garrulou
confession had deprived her son o
his promised wife.
And Mary says, quietly and reso
lutely, that her profession m ust bt
husband and home to her hencefor
ward.
RAD ADVICE.