Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1895-02-07
CHAPTER VII.

and he hOuSeh Id sunk into quleGneSs.
Then, Bells Jardine, knocking at his
door, had Teen greeted with frater-
nal grOwl; and the traytul OF iood
which, according to the family faith
that the way to the heart is through
the stomach she brought up to him,
was left Untasted on the door-mat.
Let me alone; will SEQ you all at
breakfast, were the only words that
could be got out of him Angry, sor-
rowful, and utterly worn cut in body
as we'll us mind he threw him .elf on
the bed in the cold freless room
evidently he hal not been expected 50
soon-rolled himself up in bearskin
rug, watch he had bought at Neucha-
tel, in planning that ncver'to-b for
gotten daJ at Lausanne, and slept for
many hours, Slept so heavily that
when he awoke, long after midday, he
was surprised to find the fire lighted
and d dainty little breakfast standing
beside it, also his feet, stretching out
side the rig, we carefully wrapped
up In one OF his mother shawls.
She had been in his room, then max
him comfortable, as was her habit to
do as much a. she cou,d-perhaps
gi ing him, unfelt, the kiss that he
might not have cared for, the tear
which would only have veXed him.
Poor mother! And he was her own,
her only son,
Roderick was toGched. When he
came down stairs the first thing he
did was to look for her q over the
house, and when they net he kissed
her atfectionately.
Forgive my being so rude US to go
to bed at once; but | was very tired.
And YOU You have been up, spite Of
your fatigues, aud looking after me as
usual | did so enjoy my nice bre6&-
fast! Thank you, mother. ~
Ee kissed her again, and then SIT
down, not knowing what else to say.
Would she speak hrst, or must he, on
the sub ,ect which never left his mind
for moment?
"Yes, you were quite wearied out with
your long journey, my dear boy, said
Mrs. Jardine. you must have
travelled night and day, to have got
back so soon.
"Could do otherwise, thinking you
were il, mother? and naturally was
E. meWhat astOnished -"
ITO find us in the middle Of u ball?"
broke in Bella, who sat surrounded by
u heap of wedding fnery 1T must
have been a little per. licking. But we
thought that frightening telegram was
the best way to bring you home"
Roderick drew back, flushing
angrily.
Hold your tongue, Bella" said tho
mother. But my dear Rody, never
said | was i'll; only said | was not
well which was quite true How
could it be otherwise after your
letter."
You did get my letter, then my
two letters?"
"Yes, both" And there ensued an
awkward silence
The critical moment passed., seized,
unhappily, by neither side, for Rod
erick, excessively irritated, walked in
stantly out of the room and out OF the
house.
u Is astonishing how long clever
people and she was decidedly clever
woman in her way, was Mrs. Jardine-
can shirk dii1.c Guilty, or avoid an UNI
pleasant thing. lie hardly knew how
it came about, but Roderick had actu-
ally been two whole days at home,
taking his place at the foot of his
mothers sumptuous table, and enter
tanning with gentle courtesy and we'll
disgui ed WEAKNESS, her endless
guests, falling back into old ways so
completely that he sometimes asked
himself If the last two months were
not merely morning dream; yet not
q syllable had been breathed of his
intended marriage or of Mile. Jardine.
1t was not till the third day after his
return, which, being the day before
the wedding, was OF necessity kept
free from visitors, that Roderick sue
ceeded in finding his mother alone.
Coming into her "boudoir," as she
called it, the little room Off the draw
ing-room, which she made her place
of refuge when she was not in suif-
GENTLY grand toilet for visitors, he
saw her sitting there, for five quiet
minutes.
Mother, you ought to rest; you will
be i'll IL you don't, said her son, going
up to her with honest anxiety.
"Ill'rest by and by" she answered,
when to morrow is over. Oh, these
weddings! It's all very we'll for the
young folks; but-the parents How
ever, this is the last enc. have no
more girls to marry"
No, mother" said Roderick, sitting
down by her, both out of real tender
ness and because he felt that now was
the golden moment which must not be
let pass by--for there was kind look
in her eye and tremor in her voice,
such as had not greeted him ever since
he came home; mo, mother, your
daughters are all safely disposed of.
And when your son marries he will
faithfully promise that his wedding
shall give you no trouble"
Mrs. Jardine drew back, then looked
at the door, as II feeling herself caught
in the tolls and anxious to esca, @; but
ROderick held her hand fast; ay, he
put his arm round her waist in q ten
der, filial way; he was determined to
have it out, as people say, with her;
but he wished all to be done in the
gentlest and mo kindly fashion.
~Yes, mother, as told you, there
will, trust, be another marriage in
the family. but
Blu not yet. Not for very long
time. u l couldn't stand it--indeed 1
could not. Don't let us talk about that.
/ am very busy, you see."
"Nay, mother, we must talk about it.
/ have been waiting to speak to you
ever since | came home. You are the