Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1886-04-29

AAH 1Al4
well-bred. weli-kept-looking lady-is
seated by . small table on the other.
So like. yet 50 unlike, this mother and
son!
Some unpleasant subject is evidently
under discussion. A shade Of disturb
ance over the features of the mother,
the nervous folding and unfolding Of
the shapely hands In her lap, the tap
ping OF the foot on the soft rug, and the
two quick rise and fall Of the flowers
which the young fellow has just kissed
into place on her bosom, show the pres
ence of an emotion not happy.
"You cannot fail TO note, mother,
that Mabel and i were never cut out for
each other. She bores me terribly, and
nothing I can say or do seems TO give
her any pleasure. honestly believe
myself the girl is devoid Of the sense Of
pleasure. Ivow / never" Z
"Silence, my sonl Remember you
speak of your promised wife. Your en-
Igagement alone should curb even such
thoughts as theseW
He has risen, and Is standing respect
fully by her side.
"You must not be angry with me,
mother-indeed, you will not-when ]
tell you that Mabel and have already
broken our engagement, and she, to-
night, Is as free as am from bonds we
should never have worn. Hugh Cam
eron will please her every bit as well as
/, aud he, / assure YOU, is quite charm
ed with her-indeed, for this ] intro
duced them. I'have arranged to relieve
us all of embarrassment he continued,
his voice deepening with the manful
earnestness of his resolution, "by ac-
lcepting very fine position with San
Francisco house, for whom ] shall trav-
el until / show myself worthy Of some
thing better. Within ten days Ihope
to start for there.
Surprise, anger, modification, grief,
quickly chase one another over the pale
face Of the lady. Whatever feelings she
may have of the truth of her sons ar
Igument, or admiration for his startling
independence of character, is wholly
concealed by the naughty dignity Of
her manner and the icy tone of the re-
fproaches that fall upon his ear, as, for
the first time in her life. she withdraws
from the touch of her idolized son.
'There is no other course left to me,
mother,n he said. II trust you will see
later that it is the wisest. 1t is what
you yourself would have me do. Moth
Ter, you know me and you know her.
Can you blame me?'
He gently strokes the shining black
braids with the soft, magnetic touch
which has conquered every woman
who ever felt it-save 6ne- and drawing
her face toward him raises it and kisses
her on the lips. "Dear mother, let your
blessing go with me as | leave you.n
Her heart is melted, and like every
other woman save one regardless
alike of pride, ambition, consequences.
present or future, she turns her eyes to
his, and with all the mother in the cry,
20, my darling sonp she throws her
arms around him and sobs out her
grief on his breast.
It is chilly, for San Francisco, and in
an elegant room Of one of the best
hotels splendid young fellow is smok-
ing In front Of q huge fire, one arm
through it's accustomed path. He is
less boyish-looking, shade heavier,
perhaps, but with the same bonnie
debonnair grace Of person and manner
as when, over year ago, he started out
for the San Francisco house.
He has since travelled over most Of
the Western country, giving the very
best Of his splendid talents to the sue
cess Of his business concerns, till the
firm, not slow to discover the enterprise
and ability Of the "young drummer
from Illinois, called him off the road
into the house, where he speedily rose,
till now he is the junior partner Of one
Of the richest mercantile houses in the
country.
But, all through his travels and sue
cesses, there ever lived with him the
sad memory Of shabby little room
with its scanty furnishing, and the sad,
stricken figure on the poor little hard
lounge, with all her great wealth Of
beauty and love for Eim; for with all
his varied experience with women Of
all kinds, classes, and degrees, never
does he find such wealth Of love, snch
passionate worship, such unselfish
devotion as that which fell at his feet
with its piteous appeal Of word and
look that bitter night overa year ago;
and as the memory oft grows and
brightens, 90 enormous does the selfish
cruelty OF his conduct become in his
eyes. that many time he wishes to be
somebody else, that he may soundly
horsewhip himself for shame Of it.
Daily stronger grows the desire to
know what has become Of her. Dead
perhaps, perhaps married "a sharp