The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1886-08-26
MOTHERS CHOICE.

Maria J. Hammond, in ST. Nicholas.
-
A MOTHERS CHOICE.
so you'll give me up, g, your said
Walter Merevale. "A pretty specimen
of constancy you are. Ju."
'But can't help it, said Judith Jay,
| hanging down her head. Il know Wal
ter dear, that l am not good enough
| for you. Your mother is quite right
when she says / am an insignificant
country girl with no accomplishments
at all"
But it isn't my mother, so far as l
am aware, who is going to marry
you," said Walter with imperturbable
gravity.
That don't signify" said poor Ju-
dith, swallowing the big lump in her
throat, not without difficulty. II have
resolved not to be the bone of conten-
ton between mother and son. Dear,
dear Walter, it breaks my heart to give
you up, but"
".For richer, for poorer, for better,
| for worse, -" repeats Merevale. Don't
| that include the mother-in-law question,
Ju?'
but have not yet taken those awful
! VOWS upon me, Walter" said Judith,
with an awe-stricken expression of
| countenance.
"And you VIII give me upP"
Eyes, Walter" in very low voice.
Suppose decline to be given up?"
"Oh, Walterr'
Suppose [ sue you for breach of
promisepn
| "But you never would do that
'But you love me, Ju, don't youp"
''lf | didn't Walter, / could never
| place your welfare before my own hap
piness, as | am doing now," sighed
| Judith.
Il don't want any such appalling
heroism as this said the unromantic
| lover. My mother is all very well,
but how an old lady who has had her
own youth and her own love-making
| can reconcile 1t to her conscience to 90
meddling with the young peoples con-
| Germs"
"Oh, hush, Walterr' said Judith, put
! ting her soft little pink palm over his
| rebellious mouth. Remember what
the Bible says-'Honor thy father and
| thy mothern "
Now, look here Judith" said Wal
ter, ''do you really wish to give me
upP"
YES, | do" Judith answered after a
| second or so of hesitation.
VERY WELL" said Merevale. 1T isn't
polite to contradict a lady. Hencefor-
ward | consider myself-given up! If
I'm to be dutiful son, I'll be duti-
| ful son with a vengeance. My mother
| Chal1 I1int- rrifo 70 c,1it har
| self!'
He walked off, whistling, with both
hands in his pockets. And poor little
Judith ran back into the house, and
began to cry after q very unheroine-
! like fashion.
But have done my duty" she wall
| ed. Il have done my duty! There is
| always that to remember
While Mr.. Mereyale walked to The
| Place, an old gray-stone house in the
midst of whispering maple trees, and
! surrounded by one of those great ideal
New England farms which suggested
the Land of Plenty, where handsome
old lady sat knitting on the porch.
I've done it, mother" he said cool
| Done what, WalterP"
I've given up Judith Jay. Or, at
least, to adhere more strictly to the
truth, she gave me up! | hope you are
satisfied now"
Mrs. Merevale laid down her knitting
and crossed her mittened hands piously
on her lap.
q am thankful for that, Walter" she
said. ''But as you know how pain
| fully anxious | am to see you married
''All right, mother" interrupted this
irreverent young man. go ahead!
Pick out any incumbent you please! Ju-
dith is determined that | shall marry to
suit you, and it would be pity to
thwart her! Just name the young wo-
man, and I'll go on my knees to her at
| oncei'
MY dear Walter, are you crazy?"
mo, only dutiful."
Then" said Mrs. Merevale, with an
exultant heart, ''if you really mean
what you say, Miss Florella Winton is a
| young person of wealth, accomplish
ment, and social standingn'
"All right. said Walter; "rll 90 and
propose to her at once. Only please
have list of second and third candi-
dates ready in case Number One says
| nor
My dear Walterr'
"It's better to have these things all
straight and shlp-shape," said Walter.
There's nothing like system, even in
love-making."
Miss Florelfa Winton, however, did
not say no" She said '.yes," and Mrs.
Mereyale's heart grew triumphant with
in her.
'.She will be daughter after my own
heart said the old lady Dear thing.
l love her already. She is coming up
next week to 90 over the house with me.
1t will be SO delightful to help her plan
all her housekeeping arrangements.
always felt sure that Walter would come
to his senses in time"
Miss Florella Winton came to The
Place "a cherry-cheeked, hazel-eyed
village beauty, dressed after the latest
city fashions, and not devoid of some OF
the airs and graces popularity supposed
to pertain to the girl of the period.
"a jolly old cavern" said she, look
ing round the parlor, ''but too dark.
Slash window through the north side,
Wally, and turn that turnip-patch into
! a tennis-court OF course you'll refur-
nish."
| '.My dear Florella," pleaded Mrs.
Merevale, 1.-THE furniture is very good
| still, and"
"Are you going to be mistress of the
| house, or am II" retorted Florella, turn.
ing short upon the old lady.
Y ~