The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1890-10-22

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young girl going into public places unat-
tended by mairon.
1t the end of year Ralph told her
Of his love. Surprised and flattered at
the preference of so elegant gentleman
-one, also, who had numbered SO many
more years than herself-Chrisii accept
ed him, feeling only giriish liking for
him, and knowing nothing Of the passion
OF love Ralph was too eager 4 lover to
consent to delay, 50 afler quiet wedding
at Christie's country home, they were
soon settled down in coy happiness in
Ralph's own house.
His mother was beautiful old lady,
whose dignifed demeanor was softened
by eyes whose brilliance had not
been marred by age-coming, as it did,
from heart whose CHEEKY kindness and
cheerfulness time and trouble had not
been able 10 destroy.
She met Christie with q mothers vel
come, and for time all was pleasant and
happy within the pretty home. But old
Mrs. Maylie's superior qualities Of mind
and person proved the rock upon which
Christie's future foundered.
After a time she grew to love Ralph
with worshipping fondness equal to his
love for her, and with the passion Of love
came also the twin-sister-jeaIousy. The
words she had heard Ralph speak so We
hemently on the evening our story begins
kept running through her mind She
tried to Danish them, bat still they re-
turned with singular persisteEce-~ if
either left it would be the newcomer"
Alas she.herself was the newcomer.
1t went on for some time, until Ralph
noticed that she was unhappy. Once ne
came home unexpectedly, and found her
crying in her room. With some difficult
ty he drew from her the cause of her
trouble.
Did he love her as well as he did his
mother2"
Sudden as was the pain that shot
through his heart at discovering that flaw
in his girl wife, whom he had fonily
thought superior to the faults Of woman
kind, he could not bat draw the golden
head 10 his brsss. and kiss the tears from
her heavy eyes. He had taken her for
better or for worse, and no matter
how deep his own disappointment and
suffering might be, she should be happy
Ny darling he said at last, if you
are not satisfied, things shall be changed.
My mother has teo much fondness for
me to be willing 70 make my little wife
unhappy. Only do not let her know
that you 10 not love her. II would be
such bitter disappointment. We will
shut up the house for the season, and
you can board in some pleasant summer
retreat, where l can come to yen once
week. Mother has often expressed a
wish to make her brother, whose home
is in Ohio, visit Maybe it will prove
so pleasant that she will wish to remain
there"
Christie looked up at him through her
tears.
"But YOU will hate me for driving your
mother away. Oh, Ralph, feel so small
and Insignificant beside her. Ifshe were
common, and homely, and stupid,
should not feel So
Ralph smiled sadly.
Even to please nay Christie. could
not wish my mother anything different
from what she Is.
The proposed plan was carried ont at
once. Old Mrs Maybe spent her sum
mer at her brothers no ne. and Christie
went to the Cat skills.
Not once through the summer did
Ralph mention his mothers name to his
wife. Just before it was time 70 again
kindle the fire upon theirox household
altar, Ralph received a letter from bis
uncle. pleading that Mrs. Maylie's visit
might be prolonged through another
year.
Ralph read it With a sigh of relief. He
need not wound that tender heart which
had, from babyhood, cherished him IS
an idol, for still another interval,
When Christie returned home, she
found herself the sole mistress. No men,
ton being made of her mothers return,
and months passing without seeing her.
she concluded that Ralph had made ar
rangements for her permanent absence.
How he must love me-" she thought.
8 If had been asked to give up my dear
old mother, I cold not have done II.
Poor Ralph, and poor motherw
Remember that this little, inconsistent
Christie was but a child, with ali the dig
mites of woman's most holy estate press
ing upon her girlish brow, ana judge her
accordingly, gentle reader-
Secure in Ralph's lose, she began to
miss the kindly, helpful ways of his ban
ished mother, and after time she stole
to her husbands side in the gloom Of
twilight before the lamps were lit. Her
cheeks burned With bushes, which were
hidden by the friendly dusk, as she
whispered precious secret in his ear.
"And, Ralph,- she continued. ~our
happiness needs bu. one thing more 70
Ta4ke it complete, and that is. the pres
ence Of your dsarold mother in or home