The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-01-17
MY MOTHERS SECRET,
BY NARY KILE DALLAS.

BY MARY KILE DALLAS,
Mother and father had been nothing
rut names to me since could remember
anything, l'had been educated at DR..
>:irtain's school and from thence had
gone to college. There had never been
any lack Of money and good clothes, but
| never went home for the HOLIDAYS.
md no one ever came to see me. On my
18th birthday a watch was sent to me,
with "From your loving Mother" en-
,raved in the case, and then said to
Or. Sartain:'
"Nhen am to see my parents? This
Gems AS though my mother loved me?
Does she never care to see me?"
DR.. Sartain answered.:
"Iour mother is very fond of you,
and an excellent mother, but your faith
er is compelled to remain absent from
| home."'
supposed from this both my parents
were abroad, and asked no more Ques-
ions.
Four years after this the news was
| sent to me that my father was dead,
but there was no alteration in my posi-
lion. | went to- college, chose my pro-
fession-the law-and finally entered
INTO the office of Gay 4 Brothers, with
every prospect OF success in my career.
| had but ono anxiety-my strange DO.
silion.
My parents, it appeared to me, must
| be wealthy. If they were also respect
| able, why had my fl Their never sent for
me' Why did my mother never give me
any token Of her desire to see her son?
l was man now. had right TO ask
the question and to be answered. But
| feared the answer, and delayed. Ny
acqaintanccs were many; my friends
fcnr-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 wac good old woman, straight
and thin, but strong and hearty. She
had t.ken s'the boys things" to wash
ever since can remember. A boy drove
q little donkey cart to the door with the
great baskets ON it, but she came once a
week to bring her bills and get her
money, l suppose; and the doctors wife
made much of her, and tod her a. out
the children's doings, and the boys were
pleased to see her round little face. She
had taken q special fancy to Roger
Wharton and to me. and our linen al
ways came home mended and our stock
ings darned. OF course, she took my
washing home, now that l lived inde-
pendently, and the moderation of her
prices was novelty in the laundry
world.
You ask too little," sometimes said.
But che always answered.:
II charge quite enough-quite enough
Mr.. Arthur"
She kept up her interest in my stu
dies still, admired my law books, and
wondered at my knowledge. Was more
pleased to see Aunt Betsy come into my
room than was to see many a fine &C.
Quaintance whose recognition was an
honor. l shall always be glad to remem-
Der that.
l confided in her little, and one day
she looked at me solemnly, shook her
head, and said:
"Ah, boys need a mother. Do you
ever think of yours. lad?'
"More than she does of me-" said I.
Don't say that, lad," answered the
old woman. "Your mother is sore
hearted to be parted from you like this"
'How do you known 1cried, starting
"Do you know my mother, Aunt Bet
sey?"
at me asIance.
whatever know I keep to myself"
oh H. h,k
loves you, always has, and always will.
Remember that" And she went her
way.
That evening thought her words
over until could bear it no longer, and
putting on my rat, went to DR.. Sar-
tain's house, determined to ask him who
and what my parents we're.
The doctor and Mrs. Sartain sat to-
gether in his study, and took his chair
which was offered me, and
drew 1t between them.
IL have come to ask you some Ques-
tions," questions that l have
right to ask; Will you promise to an
swer them?"
promise, my love" said Mrs. sArtain.
81 will decide when have heard the
questions" replied the doctor.
.They are simple" l answered.
"Who was my father? Who is my mo-
ther? WI" have never seen my par
ents? Where does my mother live?''
paused for reply. The doctor put
"Your father was named, like your
self, Arthur Varley. Your mother was
his lawfully welded wife, Elizabeth
now his widow. When you were five
years old your father was obliged to
leave the country, and your mother con.
fided you to our care. She has since, as
you know, amply supplied your wants.
She is one of the most excellent women
know. There has never been blot
upon her character. She has forbidden
me to tell you where to find her."
"For some reason she bates me-" I
said.
"She loves yeu," he answered.
'"Then why will she not see me?"
''For your own good" said the doctor.
ut is mistaken idea," cried the doc
tors wife.
"At first it was, Since the thing has
gone on so long, nothing can nSw be
done," replied the doctor. 1T is your
mothers fixed determination that YOU
shonld never see her. She has no other
child and is not poor. Her will is made
in your favor: I have no right to tell
you MORE"
"But your" 1cried turning to Mrs.
Sartain.
Neither have I any right" said the
lady. ''But say to you, find out fol
yourself. 1t is your duty. know you
better than your mother knows you"
looked at the doctor. He avoided
my glance, and said nothing.
But how was. l to discover this mother
of mine, who hid herself from me, yet,
who. they said, loved me.
BY that Christmas tide had fallen in
love. The object of my alteration was
. beautiful girl, of very good family. I
saw that she was not displeased her faith.
era wealthy client Of our firm, did not Oh
iect to my pretentions. In tact, We were