The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-07-07
BELMoaTS PRIDE.

rho clock on the little bracket had 3nst
struck l. Through half-ciosed blinds sh0ne
the light OF fast waning moon; the eandls
had burned low and the hrelogs resolved
themselves into ashes; but 10 a luxurious
armchair sat DIR. Belmont shinkinz OF tie
woman be so Dadly loved. IL was only
few hours since he had placed his fate ID
Viola Bernard's keeping. and she had ae'
eepsed the trust As yet il all seemed neY
and strange TO him. She was well born and
wealthy. and he-a vision rose before him
from the dim past lie could offer Ylo,a a
home In every way ssostliy of her; but she
must know nothing of those bygone days
when Ee, little barefooted lad. had run
about his mothers cottage while she slowly
earned the dollars, one by enc, that had
given him the education be SO lenged fer.
BE had been very successful. far beyond
bis most ambitious honess and The dear
mother who had so patisntiy toiled. where
was she? Why was il that tonight her
csreworn. wrinkled face drove Viola Ber-
naTd's beauty from4his vision? IL Is true
= kept her supplied win III comforts; she
no longer toiied for bread; and she daily
prayed fer toe boy who Mas so generous to
his mother. but whose fault was il that be
never found az hour to gladden. Der with his
presenter He Thought OF Viola Bernard as
his wife Viola. with her hfgh-bred Ways
Viola. " no lived in such dstfel ent sphere
could IL be possible that ms was ashamed of
bis mother, With her primitive manners and
oid-time id6ss2
His candle had died out Ions ago, the
wood was white as ashes now; the. moon
bad sunk and the clock chimed 2. but hot
flush burned Cd Doctor Bslmons's check as
he rose to find his way to his room and bed
Fer three long hours be sought sleep in
vain; and when st last II came and bis
tired eyes closed Il was only TO dream Of
the dear old mother just Awakening in the
far-off home-the mother who had all night
SO persiskeutiy haunted his thoughts.
In the little cottage sill WAS sstir, for
Mrs. Belmont mad determined 10 give her
son q surprise. lt Nns long journey TO
New YORK. aud the train started early 1t
would be almost dark when she arrived /:
out how glad Ernest would be to see her!
He had never proposed her coming. because
Re had thought the undertaking beyond her
strength, but what would she not do for bis
dear sake, Der noble boyp She was almost
sorry now she had not allowed the village
aTessmaksr TO maze Up the handsome black
ils he bad sent her, bnt che hated 10 dis
tn1b its soft. iusgreus folds, AID then she
would seem more natural TO Ernest IN her
neat wool dress. She had often pictured
hlm "a bis lonely home, and hoped he might
Dc out when she arrived. that she could take
OF her outer garments and don her white
cap, anu be seated knitting quietly on his
return.
During all the journey her mind was
busy oiLh these happy thought and more
than oGe person Glanced kindly al the sinil-
Ing old face, while something tugged 81 their
heartstrlngs and brought moisture to their
SScs.
There had been delay, and Il was quite
ate when Mrs Belmont a. last reached the
clsy. For the first time she felt rather
tm.d, but easily succeeded in finding a cab
CAD to take her 10 the address she gave hn.
1T must De 4 mistake; he has brought
me TO the wrong place." she thought, as the
n n Pae4y vi hcFf ture
house Ia an aTistocTatie neighboThood.
Bus ne insisted that be 8as right, and she
s0en found herself surrounded by her boxes
sro bundles. facing .he formidable gentle
saBB" who opened the door. Save for tie
suspicious shortness OF certain portions Of
BIS attire. which reached only TO his knees.
where they were met by stiff leather leg
EiDEs, the worthy woman would have
dropped him courtesy.
Past the doctors Office hours, q am -
ne said, IL raspou Sc % her timId appe
IT'S as mnea as my place is worth TO take
in your card.
''But l b no card. Ee'a see me. Pm
She did not finish the sentence. onfy
stepped inside the hall, and .ood asasr $50
full glare Of the light CT The lamps. The
man looked doubtfuliY at the Singular appa-
rition: her hat vas crushed and bent Ter
dress bore evidence OF the dust Of travel,
and n her hand was huge bandbox con-
tanning the bonnet which was 20 astonIsh
The New Workers.
Indeed. am" he began.
Bot the cid lady walked steadily en- 20
the door beneath whose threshold she espiei
q stream of light.
The flush lad gone from Dr. Beimont's
chesk. The morning had dissipated the
foolish fa1cies Of the night. His duties OF
the day were over, and he WAS free TO see
Viola. whose wonderful eyes would light up
81 his entrance and whose selTety lips
would be offered for his earesses. he
spTang to his feet as the door softly opened.
and-c1uld ii be dream, coDjured up by
last nights faueies, or did he see his mother?
Close behind was the wholly wondering
half apologetie face of his servant.
i took him minute 10 realize IL was no
dream, than an overwhelming tenderness
swept away ali other feelings. and with .
glad cry Of AAotherl" he clasped her TO
his heart
Boz when she had grown celmer and be-
gan TO look around aud admire bis belong
ines, Q feeling of annoyance made itself felt.
Why had she come? Had he not arranged
everything comfortably for her at home
Here she would be constrained. Hnnatural
And Vioial He could picture the aston
ished look which would creep into her eyes
xhsn he said 70 her, "thls is my mother"
Nay, be feared the naughty carve which
might gather around her mouth, so ripe and
sweet. Presently the question at his heart
found words.
'AessRer why did you not let me know
yon were COMING -
's0h, / meant 10 surprise my boy. I have
not done wrong ?" she anxiolsly asked.
enc. not hs hastily replied. "come,
you must ear and go TO bed
But long after he had hidden her good
nigh. be SAT and thought His mother had
Gene to make her home with him; this was
eiesT. Ii be told her be wilied it otherwise
she would obey him; but could he DO this 2
90 her, and then Viola need never know of
the pist1s humble little woman. who had
Dot hesifEted to toll with ner own hands
tnat las mighi be those OF gentleman. Oh
shaHssI Gould he ever wash them clean Of
ihe thuughtg No; Viola should know the
ruth BE could bear her seorr. but his
nsottei E1ast share his hefe ana heart 20
ths end
zass. lapsl5 aid makbssis
- Be went ppefaiEs. AL Retltly apeuinn tne
eeskS lie room n which she alert xsftIe
- lied ti- hEd and kisssa tile wrfukIas
ss.slsstd fsssfsntly She ss.ried AZ with :
IS Boy 81 bel gou 80 AK glad
& sxe 1853 So M
III 81 ~ zseS sIsl Z dozen asgn-anc1s g.
foye. and wondered Why bis own heart felt
50 iiznt !. as shs fell ssleep with his hand
Gu did not come las. Might" said Miss
sefnara TO her betroihed. when next morn-
lag ne sogSht her presence
,ed 20 y '9 20; p answered. II am here
mother came TO me. Nay. de not start--jt
was 20 visitation from the spirit land.
lave never tod yon Of my mother Think
OF tia man 30 blessed. and yet 4nu,,f a +
Der life she toiIel 10 poverty t.iat she might
soncate her son. God prospered him. and
hs sook the burden from her Shoulders and
sssoagns ne nao done his duty, He fed the
she came 70 me- For 4 moment nv wiek Ell
pride Eebeiied. Think of ii. Viola-taaf
cruel pride which would bring IA a mani
cheek blush for the woman who bore him
tnougnt 81 yous with your pretty. 4 airfy
Ways, ana Of her SO plain and homelv' I
s nav you coald nfyer meet on common