Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1886-01-28
A STROKE OF POLICY.
BY GERALDINE FLEMING.

BY GERALDINE FLEMING.
81 do wish you would stay home to-
day, Tom Greys mother said lntreat-
ingly.
The young gentleman studiously
inspected hattering image of himself
reflected in the long mirror before he
vouchsafed the slightest attention to
the delicate woman, who was reclin-
ing on the worn sofa of the plain little
parlor.
81 dislike being quite alone, Tom,
when am so poorly, Mrs. Grey con
tinued, still more pleadingly.
''But you are always sick you know,
mother" Tom drawled inditferently,
as he adjusted the flower in his but
tonhele with another glance at that
gratifying reflection, all spruce and
fine from the crown of the immacu
late hat to the polished tips of the
pointed shoes" Somebody will drop
in, of course, and l can't stay home,
you know really can't, you See"
A half restrained sob came from
the fevered lips of the mother, as she
turned her gray head YEARLY upon
the uncomfortable cushions OF the
sofa.
1t was hard TO feel that this heed
less effected, idle fellow was the son
for whose sake she had lab0red and
boarded through so many joyless
years.
II do wish you would stay, Tom"
she sighed, "And you really cannot
ofpo,.1 CO ,,,tyob o,,vgnv,ta,t All ,,,v
savings are gone; you have no EN-
ployment; ard there are bills TO be
paid. am afraid this illness may be
serious, and If anything serious does
happen
She paused with a shudder, wonder
ing vaguely if her long life of toll and
sacrifice must only be recompensed at
last by q few feet of mold in that
dreary nook of Gods acre, set apart
for the unloved, the unyaled and the
indigent,
"There is no use preaching, moth
err Tom interrupted in his smooth
careless way. "A fellow can't NOPE
in the house, you know, even if there
were no pretty heiress to tempt ones
attentions
"a pretty heiressl" Mrs. Gray re-
pested inquiriugly.
"Ah, yes the lady whom | am to
escort on the excursion to-day. A
charming little girl, you see, Tom
explained complaceutly, 'as good as
gold-as good as fifty thousand dol
lars in solid cash, and have made
an impression in that quarter, you
know. She is a stranger in the city,
stopping with cousin or something,
and / can't afford to neglect her.
really. A rich wife isn'ta bad thing
for fellow to have, you know, and
little Fay Orielle is niue for the ask
ing"
II am sorry for the girl, " Mrs.
Grey sighed as he quilted the house.
'The remiSS son ever makes the neg
lectful husband y
And the remindess Of her son, her
only child, was exceedingly bitter TO
her that morning as she lay there
alone in her poor parlor, while the
fierce hot summer sunbeams gliSten-
ed on the parched naples outside and
the tiercer, hotter glow of fever
scorched within her veins.
Later in the morning, a slight girl
all IN white turned the corner iuto
the quiet street, walking huriedlv.
and glancing about her with g per-
picked expression, as if uncertain of
her way. Presently, she beheld a
gentleman coming down the steps of
q plain brick house; and with a little
cry of intense relief she fastened to.
ward him,
con, DR.. Hardy" she said; ~ am
very glad that have met you. l am
actually lost" she explained, with a
beautiful smile, that was half shy
and half mrthful. 81 came out for
something | wanted for the excursion
today, and in my haste mistook the
street, and ! shall miss my party uu
less get home directly" she painted
with glrhsh eagerneSS.
81 fear, Miss Fay, that you are too
late for the excursion already" the
gentleman returned, with provoking
lack Of sympathy in the expression OF
his handsome face and pleasant voice
'"The boat must have gone thirty
minutes ago
$50 it must she admitted, with q
rueful glance at her elegant little
watch.
"You have a number OF long block,
before you yet" her companion OBJ