Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1889-05-24


the lead in a matter which had
never been broached between them
Had he spoken a single word oil
marriage, she could have very
quickly set him right but he had
not done that, though ne had often
enough hinted at 1t.
"My dear mamma" 80 Ella
Mason had always called her dear
toster.mother, and had loved her
the same-"my dear mamma"
she said, as the widow returned to
her sitting room after the departure
OF Jack, 'does the scene which
have just witnessed give me falr
representation of the domestic and
loving characters OF your two sonsl
[ might call it their heart charac-
ters ~
"Ah ! Ella,' the widow replied,
with a sad and dubious shake of
the head, 81 can tell you nothing
new. You know my boys of old.
They have not changed"
"And is Jack always as good, as
pleasant, and as CHEEKY and willing
to help, as he appeared just now !"
"Jack 7 God bless him Yes,
Ella, since the day when that boy
first knew to choose the good from
the evil, he has never given to me
ar impatient nor an unkind word
not one. AS you have seen him
today, so is he all the time. But
let us not blame Henry too much.
He comes honestly by his quality
OF mind and heart. His father was
much like what lie is now but
his father was never so handsome.
Oh, Henry will grow to be a pop
ular man, am sure ; and l do
not believe he will ever descend to
bad habits or evil practices
That evening the two sons came
home to supper, and were greatly
surprised, as we'll as very much
pleased, upon beholding Ella.
"Bless me when did you Gomez
asked Henry, holding her hand
the while.
81 came by the express, and |
am just getting rested" she an
swered, promptly.
Now there were two express
trains during the day, and the
boys naturally took it that she had
come by the 4 p. m; and at that
let 1t pass.
They ate supper, and a pleasant
evening followed.
Several times Jack tried 10 hold
a scrap of conversation with Ella,
but Harry pushed him out OF the
way and more than once he did
it very unkindly.
At length, after chatting with
his mother for awhile, the poor
fellow left the room, and went away
to his own chamber.
"Poor Jack He's kind o. grum-
py, isn't he ?" laughed Henry,after
his brother had gone.
But no notice was taken OF the
unfeeling remark, and the matter
passed off.
And the evening passed.
"Well,D said Master Harry to
himself, when he had reached his
chamber, after the others had re-
tired. "I'll pluck this plum while 1t
is within my reach. Its about time
we had an understanding as to
when the event is to come of. I've
no doubt she's misunderstanding
for me to speak. Well, we'll finish
it up. She sha'n't wait any longer,
poor girl"
On the following day. during the
afternoon, Ella found Mrs. Steve ms
with traces OF tears on her cheeks,
and was tenderly eager TO know
the cause.
"Jack is going away"
"Jack-going away! For WHAT
"Ah Ella ); yOu should know
Poor boy ! he cannot endure it,
Oh, how he loves you how he
loves you : But he knows it must
ever he a One.sided love for him
lie will 90, and leave his brother
be happy. Ella" throwing he.
arms around the girls neck and
kissing her, "don't speak of this
Oh, do not let anybody know wha
have told you ~
"Hush You know you maI
trust me. But, mamma, answe
me a question, honestly and truly
IL you could have your way, and
you thought | would marry VIII
one OF your two boys, which o
them would you prefer that II
should bel"
CELIA I"
WAnswer me-whlch one ~
"Oh, Jack-Jack ! A thousanC
times-Jack J"
"Hush ! Not another word =
Go dry your eyes, and hold you
peace"
Later on that same Afternoon
Jack entered the cottage, hndinI
his mother in the kitchen.
He had come to toll her that h
had found a good lOdgIng-house
which he could take when h
pleased, and keep as long as D
pleased.
He was still speaking. Whe
Ella, with q light straw hat on he