The Penn's Grove record., 1894-06-15

widow" .
She leaned forward and ucmRlei mor'
| than ever as Marcus's voice SOUNDED, IL
perturbed accents.
"Dlriiug," co said, 81 don't knoH
how I'm goiag to tell yoa, but-3dt LIE
afraid our marriage will hsgc to be put
OF. I've just had e letter from M
mother. 1t seem; she has closed the
house and is coming TO New York
probably TO me. 1t mast be that tnoss
Tallahassee bonds have proved a failure
1 never quite liked them. Sac told nj
she was going to sell them. bat she cant
have done SO, Or"
His husky voice failed him. a mo
ment's silence eusu2i, during which Mrs
Wilde stood more immovab!e than ever,
her ears strained to their utmost listen
ing capacity.
; "Now I shall know" she murnured
to herself. =,
"Then OF course, Marx, you aud
must watt" said the sweet, thrush'iiks
voice. az know you love me, but YOU
first duty is to your mother. Don't you
remember the old Scotch ballad. deari
"rTrue loves ys may has moaJ an oSa
.. But mithers, ne'er anttherE"
"Bat, Alice" protested the lover
1--WE we're planning to be married in thi
spring"
ave must wait, Mark. We are young,
and dearly as 1 love you, ] can but feel
| that she --your mother-has the first
claim. Oh, Mark, don't you understand
that | eau comprehend how a mother
feels when SONG outsider steals away ,
portion Of her sons hearth There's nc
sacrifice that I can make great enough
to atone for the mischief I have invol.
unfairly wrought herI"
"But," urged Marcus, tive might bt
married, and she could come to live with
us. Couldn't it be arranged so2"
"0h, if it only might, how glad and
willing I should bel' breathed the soft
voice. "But she would not consent to
that, AID she has the first right to her
sons home. Aud perhaps in time l a
manage to make her love me q little, SO
that We can all be happy together"
"Alice," exclaimed the young man,
off you could only go to her and tell
her this with your own lips! But shf
won't see you" ~
"Wait, dearest-wait" sobbed the
girl. GAN will come right in good time.
Remember she is your mother"
Mrs. Wilde's hands were tightly
tears were running down her
cheeks.
She opened the door and passed out
into the hall, knocking urgently at the
adjoining portal.
"Children," she said, her voice
choked with emotion, "you needn't
wait; I've heard it all. Ii won't stand
in the way of your happiness. Pm a
base conspirator. l only wrote that let.
ter to try Marcus's love and Alice's 10y
atty. l did shut up the house, but only
for a little while. The Tallahassee
bonds have sold at a premium, and I'm
going hoIe to make the old house pretty
for your bridal trip. Kiss me, Alicei I
know FIN a wretchel eavesiropper, but
my heart did ache SO to to be sure that
Marcus's sweetheart was worthy of hi
love-"
"And you're satisfied now, motherln
Marcus's eyes were oil alight with
pride and joy.
Mrs. Wilde was holding the fair
haired young girl close to her breast,
looking lovingly into the b~luaness of her
soft eyes like one vino drinks from O
deep, deep spring.
ayes, I'm satisfied, Marcus" said she.
"The girl who was willing to postpone
her " young happiness, SO that the
old mother might have a chance-there
can't be much wrong with her head.
Kiss me again, daughter Alice"
ooh, mother-may I call you by that
name1" faltered Alice Hooper, tears
brimming into her eyes.
"Tll never let you call me- by any
other,f said Mrs. Wilde. "oI, here's
Maria Stayner with a cup of tea! You
see, I've introduced myself to this young
woman, Mrs. Stayner."
"Well, l couldn't think where you'd
gone to-" said Mrs. stayaer, with a deep
sigh of relief.
Mrs. Wilde stayed a week with Miss
Hooper, and helped select the wedding
dress before she went home.
"lm sure shall like my new daugh-
ter, -" said she, in her positive way.
Aud an adTs, Warmly adlel Mrs,
itayner, ''she'H like you"
Mrs. Wilde shrugged her shoulders.
"Pe-haps she will" said she-"aer.
,aps not"