The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-01-09
HIS MOTHER.
A Devoted Son and a Sensible
Sweetheart

A Devoted Son and a Sensible
Sweetheart
The cold-gray shadows of the wintrv
twilight had developed tree and
meadow and sluggish forest streams in
their uncertain mist, and factory Chin
neys flung their fiery banners of
smoke against the leaden sky, a basso
relieve that would have made Rem
brandt himself rejoice, and the hum of
never-ceasing machinery in the little
town rose above the rush of the river,
like the buzz of a gigantic insect
Charles Emery, the day foreman in
the rolling-mills, vas just retiring to
his home, having been relieved by
John Filter, the night official, and as he
walked along, his feet sounding crisply
on the hard-frozen earth, he whistled
softly to himself, as light-hearted as a
bird.
You're going with us tonight,
Cnarley?" cried a gay voice, and two or
three young uen came by.
do you mean"
al mean to the OPERA"
For upon that especial evening
there was to be an opera in the little
town of Crystalton, a genuine New
York company with a chorus, a full
orchestra and all the paraphernalia of
scenery and costume which provincial
residents so seldom enjoy, and the
younger population were on the qui
viye of delighted expectation
II am going" said Mr.. Emery, slow
", but not with you"
But you will change your mind,
though" said Harrison Vail, when
you heal that Kate Marcy is to be of
the party. Kate Marcy and the Miss
Hallowells and Fa my Hewitt There
are eight of us gong. We've kept a
seat on purpose for you"
Il have engaged myself TO another
lady," Emery replied, after a second or
So of hesitation
Vail laughed.
We'll, I'm sorry for it." said he.
but Miss Marcy is not a girl who need
pine for a cavalier. Well keep the seat
for you until a quarter of eight, in case
you should see fit TO change your mind
Only let me give o a word of warn
ing, old fellow, Kate Marcy is a high
spirited girl; it won't do to trife too
much with her."
Charles Emery went on his way
rather grave and more self-absorbed.
He had asked his mother the day be-
fore to go to see The Mascot" and
his mothers eyes had frightened with
genuine delight.
Your father often used to take me,
Charley" she said, when we were
Young people and lived in New York.
But it's twenty years and more since
] have been to an opera And If you're
quite sure, deal that there is no young
girl whom you would rather take"
"As if any young girl in the world
could be to me what my own darling
little mother isl replied Emery, smil-
ing across the table to her.
Then | shall be so delighted to CO."
said Mrs. Emery.
And her voice and eyes bore happy
witness to the truth of her words.
But now that a regular party had been
organized, and Kate Marcy had prom
Used to join it, things looked very diff
fercntly to the young man. For a mo-
ment he almost regretted that he had
engaged himself to take his mother.
She would be as well pleased with
any concert" he said to himself, land
! should have the opportunity of sit
ting all the evening next to Kate
Marcy. I'll ask her to let me off this
time. She won't care"
When he went into the little sitting
room of their humble domain, and saw
his mother, with her silver-gray hair
rolled into puffs on either side of her
almost unwrinkled brow, her best
black silk donned. and the one opal
brooch which she owned pinned into
the white lace folds at her bosom, his
heart misgave him.
Il nave been trimming my bonnet
over with some violet-velvet flowers"
said she, smiling, 80 as to do you no
discredit, Charley; and l have a new
pair of violet kid gloves. And now
you must drink your tea. I've made
some Of your favorite cream biscuit,
and the kettle is nearly at the boil.
Oh. Charley, you'll laugh at me, I'm
afraid, but / feel exactly like a lit
tie girl going - hsr Arst children's
party. It's so ssl6sa. ysu know, that
a bit of pleasure es0ss n my way
And then Charles Emery made up
his mind that his mother was more to
him, in her helpless old age and sweet,
affectionate dependence, than any
blooming damsel whose eyes shone
lilo et,re and vphoSa cbaaGc riyaled
the September peach
Going with some one elser' said
Kate Marcy, rather surprised and not
exactly pleased.
She was a tall, beautiful maiden, the
belle of C~rystalton, and rather an
heiress in her own right, with all the
rest She certainly liked Charles
Emery, and she rather surmised that
he liked her also. And when she had
been studying up her toilet for the
opera. she had selected a blue dress.
with blue corn flowers for her hair and
ornaments of turquoise, because she
had once heard Mr.. Emery say that
blue was his favorite color.
Going with some n else?" she re-
peated. We'll of course he has a
right to suit himself"
And she kept within her own soul
the fevered fire of girlish~ resentment,
the gnawing pangs of jealousy that dis
turbed her all the while hat she was
sitting waiting for the great green cur
tain to be drawn up.
Until, of a sudden, there was a
slight hustle on the row of seats be-
yond, and Mr.. Emery entered with his
mother.
And then Hates overgloomed face
grew bright again She drew a long
breath of relief and turned to the
stage: it was as if the myriad gas
lights had all of a sudden been turned
up; as if all the mimic world of the
opera house had grown radiant
Never was voice sweeter in her cars
than the somewhat thin and exhausted
MARBLE of Mile. Rosalie de Vigue, the |
prima donna; never did scenery glow
with such natural tints or footiights
shine morc softly. Kate Marcy de-
clared that the opera was ''perfec-
ton"
..YeS lint said merit little Nina Gum |