The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1888-10-27
MOTHER AND AUNT.

anu tllclt > III tuu vi III ~tltt
Marius Gray, letting his hand fall des-
paiiingly on the table.
IAN end Of wliat?" asked Harold
Morse. his rocm-mate and companion.
who had been smoking meditative
pipe by the fire.
''Of my three years work" Gray
answered .'of all that I've been toll
ing and striving for So long"
ut must make difference. Hal
You don't mean." said his friend.
''tliat You would let this make any diff
ference with your plansp'
Thrust make difference. Hail.
''And in the name of common-sensc,
what diffcrenccp"
Don't YOU sccp Now thatmy grand
father is dead. I've got To makc home
for my mother. I've got To see that
life Is made easy for her in her old
age.
"Oh. scc." said Morse. Struggling
his shoulders. "Alicc won't relish the
idea Of mother-in-low--is that it?"
II shall not ask her. Hal. My first
dsty Is 20 ms another"
but tho little house you've bought.
and the furniture you've been select
luz piece " ulctc-s
I'll hopo my mother will enjoy them,
Hal, said Gray. with something like a
culver on his lip. "But once heard
Alice make some laughing jest about
the terrors Ola mothcr-in-law. Itwasn't
much don't think she attached any
particular Importance 90 IT, but still il
has stuck To my memory. In the recol-
lection Of that, can't ask her to share
any divided empire in my house"
''Oh. hang i'll" cried Morse. ilinging
his paper on the table. What do
women want To be so cranky for? I'll
40 bail Alice Ardley would 90 through
fire and water for her own mother.
Why should she feel differently toward
The mother Of the man she loyesP''
There Is all the difference in the
world. said Gray sadly.
And SO bc went TO bed to pondcrov over
this new complication OF events; and
when be fell asleep lac dreamed that he
had just brought u bride home 10 the
little cottage where the white muslin
curtains rusllcd la the wind. and the
moss rose-bush was In full blossom.
and somehow Alice Ardley's blooming
face was friIlcd around with cap-bord-
rrs. and decorated with an immense
pair of silver spectaclcs.
To Marius Gray's credit be il spoken
that he never for an instant hesitated
as to what decision to make.
He wrnte an aiiectionatc letter to his
mother. telling her Of the little home
which was now mt her disposal. aud Of
fclibg To bring her thithcr at any time
which She should fix.
He went 10 see Alice that very even
ing. She WIS music-teachcr. and
lived IN one OF those gcntccl comfort
less boarding houses which afford so
poor substitute for real homes, and
she came down into the parlor. where
the gas was economically lowered and
the scent If the vegetable soup that had
been served for dinner still fingered.
'Oh. Mnrinsi" she said. with little
gurgle ia her voice. 1--WE bccn want
ing TO see You so much.
Have YOU. AliccP"
He stood holding both her hands in
his OVID.
I've got sncn a favor to ask Of YOU.
Maiius-~and oh. don't know how To
do ". after all the hateful things I've
said about NOTWITHSTANDING. and that
sort Of thing" faltcred she.
He stood still listening. and after
short pause Alice went hurricdly ON;
'Its my Aunt Alcthca. I've got 10
take her home and take care OF her,
for her cousin who has supported her
all these years cant do II any more;
and oh Marius. we can't be- married
unlcss---nnless you will be very good
and kind. and let old Aunt Alethca
como and live with us.
Marius Gray's face lighted up.
Alice forgive me" he said. ssYou
have shown greater confidence In me
than have done In you. As far rs
am concerned. your aunt will be most
welcome In my homo that you and
are 10 share together. But Alice. /
had come here 90 ask you 10 release me
from our engagement"
Alice gave n little start.
s'Marius! Oh. Marius. you don't
mean itP''
For the reason" he went on 'that
IL is now incumbent on me 10 support
my mother. who has hitherto lived Will,
her father. didn't like 10 ask you.
dear. knpwing .'our opin'pa OF -