The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1888-06-21

ever harmless her Occ&lpatlOn might De,
it was scarcely dignified position for
stout, middle-aged matron to be
climbing on the top of some walls, and
she did not care to be seen.
.'Nonsenser" Letty's clear, sweet
voice rang out. He never asked that
of me. He might know would never
put up with fussy old mother-in-law
If any man asks me to accept his home
and his heart, | must have clear field. >
"But she thinks deal of you, Lefty, y
demonstrated Miss Dixon, the village
school-mistress. ''Pve always thought
So"
s'More than / do of her." retorted
Lefty. Gracious me, Matte, don't
you know that young folks and old
fogies can't get along togetherP 1t
isn't in the nature of things"
Its hard on a mother, though, isn't
itP'
THAT doesn't signify" said Lefty,
indifferently. II tell you-as mean
to tell him-no interfering old mother
in-law for me-"
A thrill of gay, sweet laughter fol-
lowed her words, and then the voices
of the speakers died away in the leafy
distance, and Mrs, Carson, with a
scared, pale countenance, scramSled
down from the stone wall, with her
trophies of scarlet berries clasped tight
ly to her breast.
HAS it come to thatp" she asked her.
self; ''has he proposed already to that
girl? And 1 brought it on myself,
Heaven forgive me! Am to be turned
out of the old home where I've been
mistress for thirty years? Not but what
Gil is true and faithful to his old mother,
but-but what is a mothers influence
against wife's will?"
She turned homeward with a vague
uncertain step, still clutching the clus-
ters of berries. But she had forgotten
the tea party at Mrs. Rickarts', and
lame Lucy's fondness for vivid colors;
her heart was full of far other things.
Evidently Gilbert did not expect her
yet. He was standing before the fire,
watching the leap and crackle of the
flames round the old back log, and in
his hand there was little brown glove,
four-buttoned, and scented family with
rose-leaves. Mrs. Carson's heart sank
within her.
t'Motherm cried the young man,
turning quickly round, as her footstep
sounded on the threshold.
you've asked her, Gil?' gasped the
poor woman. her eyes brimming with
tears.
Eyes, mother; I've asked her, aud she
has answered me 'Yesr"
Mrs. Carson sat down and began to
tremble.
'.Oh, Gilbertr' she sobbed; s'and what
is to become of me?"
''You are to live with us mother,
DEAR" said the young man, putting his
arm fondly around her still trim waist.
''She stipulated for that herself. You
are always to keep your own room and
your old corner by the tireside. She
has no mother, poor dear, and she will
feel now as if she had gained one"
''Gilberti" cried Mrs. Carson, with a
great start, as she looked up at her
sons face, ''who are youtalking about?
Lefty Moorman? Because
NO" said Gilbert. Even if l could
bring myself to care for her, didn't you
know that she was engaged, only this
morning, to Peter Fanshawe? At least
so Doctor Morrison tells me-"
''And pity Peter Fanshawe from my
heart" said Mrs. Carson, clasping her
hands. "But, Gil"
''It's Nellie Harwood, mother" said
her son. ''Try and make the best of it,
dear, for feel that never can be hap
py with anyone else."
.'The best of itr' exclaimed Mrs.
Carson. why, it's all best. There
isn't any worst to it. l never was so
glad of anything in my life."
Gilbert looked at her in some sur
prise.
you didn't talk so this morning,
mother" he said.
But one changes ones mind, YOU
know" cried Mrs. Carson, incoherent-
ly. where's my bonnet? l must
go and see Nellie at once, and tell her
how rejoiced 1 shall be to welcome her
here"
And it was not until the old bedtime
hour, in which, true to the traditions
of his childhood, Gilbert Carson always
came and sat beside his mothers arm
chair for awhile, that the old lady told
him what she had heard from her covert
among the berries.
And Gilbert Carson's mother never
regretted her sons choice.