Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1892-01-22

tain mist the factory chimney5 flung their
fiery banners Of smoke against the leaden
sly. a basso relieve that would have
made Rembrandt himself rejoice, and
the hum Of never -ceasing machinery in
the little town rose above the rush Of the
river, like the buzz Of gigantic insect.
Charles Emery, the day foreman in
the rolling mills, was just retiring to
his home, having beea relieved by john
Ener, the night oflieiai, aa1 as he walked
along, his feet sounding crisply on the
hard-frozen earth, lie whistled softly to
himself, as li.h.- hearted as a blrl.
You're going with us tonight,
Charley" cried a gay voice, and two or
three young men came by.
do you mean"
''l mean to the opera
For upoa taat especial evening there
was to be an opera in the little town OF
Crystalton, a genuine New York com
rauy with chorus, a full orchestra and
al the paraphernalia Of scenery and cos
tune which p-oy.ncial residents SO sell
dom enjoy, and the younger population
were on the qui viye Of delighted expec-
talion.
IL am going," said Nj Emery, SLOW
j.; "but not with YOU"
But you will change your mind,
though" said Harrison Vail, "when
YOU hear that Kate Marcy is to be of the
party. Kate Marcy AID the Miss Hal
lowells and Fanny Hewitt There are
eight of US going. We've kept seat
en- purpose for youl'
81 have engaged myself to another
lady," Emery replied, after a second or
50 of hesitation.
Vail laughed.
"Well, I'm sorry fcri " said lie, "but
Miss Marcy is not a girl who need pine
for a cavalier. Wen keep the seat for
you until quarter Of eight, in case you
should see fit to change your mind. Only
let me give you word Of warning, old
fellow Kate Marcy is a high spirited
girl-it won't 90 to triho too much with
her!"
Charles Emery went on his way ra.sssr
grayer and more self absorbed. lie had
asked his mother, the dag before, to 90
10 see "The Mascot, and his mothers
eyes had Frightened with genuine de-
light.
Your father often used to take nc,
Charley" she said, "when we were
young people and lived III New York.
But it's twenty years aad more since !
have been to an opera. Ani if yoa're
quite sure, dear, that there is no young
girl whom yoa would rather take"
GAS if any young girl in thc world
could be to me what my own darling
little mother isl replica Emery, smiling
across the table to her.
"Thcn | snall be 50 delighted to go,
said Mrs. Emery.
And her voice and eyes bore happy
witness to the truti Of her words.
But row that a regular party hal been
organized, aad Ka.e Marcy had promised
to join it, things looiel very diifreatly
to the young man. For moment he
almost regretted that he hui engaged
himself to take his mother.
..She would be as we'll pleased WITH
any concert, he said to himself, "aad l
should have the opportunity OF sitting
all the evening next to Kate Marcy. I'll
ask her to let me off this time. She
won't care"
But when he went into the little sit
ting room Of thsir hum Die domain, and
saw bis mother, with her silver gray
hair rolled into pulfs on either side OF
her almost unwrinkled brow, her best
black silk donLed, and the one opal
brooch which she oxnci pinned into the
white lace folds at her bosom, his heart
miseave him.
81 have been trimming my bonnet
over with some violet yelve: flowers,
said she, smiling, $50 as to do you NJ
lciscredit, Charley; and have a ney pai
Of violet kid gloves. And nov yol