Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1895-04-26
CUATTEE III.
MOTHER AND SON.

k:trcss stood before his naughty moVncr'
CUATTEH III.
MOTHER AND SON.
When Ralph entered the boudor OF his
mother, that lady showed few traces OF
the detection which she had cxhio tel
while alone. Her expression was serious,
almost severe, as with the majestic grace
that distinguished her she invited her son
to take seat by her side.
81 desire to talk to you on matter
that gives me good deal of annoyance,
she began. "Thore seems to be an a0-
surd rumor afoat which brings your
name into connection with a woman-an
actress. or something of that sort Of
course, this gossip is without founda-
ton; am aware Of that But cannot
something be done to prevent any fur
ther annoyance?"
Ralph had sustained without flinchng
the sharp, inqusitorial glance OF those
cold rrav ewes. Yet he hcsitatcd o lltt.c
before he answered.
"If you refer to my relations with MISS
Lyon, mamma" he replied at last, you
are mistaken. RumOr, in this case,
speaks the truth, and l came here with
the intention of telling you that l shall
marry that lady,"
Mrs. Warringham grew pale. Her
sons firm manner and determined words
told her that his purpose was settled
Yet she was resolved to try what her
influence could do to shake his frmness.
"ThIs is TO matter for cheap Wit
Ralph, " she said with an impatient toss
of hef head, while her eyebrows con-
tracted. "Let us talk seriously.
al am talking seriously, mamma
have declared my love to Miss Lyon, and
she has promised to become my wife. "
A look of fiery indignation met his
cves. Mrs. Warringham resembled
more than ever a wrathful goddess, as
she sat erect in her chair.
"And YOU dare tell your moth r that
you mean to make such creature her
daughter-in-law?"
81 dare tell her that / mean to marry
a lady who is in every respect worthy
! the regard and love of my mother
"Ralph, arc you lost TO all sense oil
honor?"
The young mans face grew dark, but
his determination was mistaken.
81 am acting strictly honorable in
marrying woman against whose char
acter not the slightest objection can be
raised-a woman, moreover, whom l
love with all my heart and who returns
my love with equal fervOr.
The young man had grown enthusias-
tic, as he always did when he was led to
talk of his love. But his mother was
the last person on earth to be impressed
with the youthful enthusiasm of lover
"You are too old to indulge in boyish
sentimentalties. You must sec that
such q marriage Is impossible.
"And why should it be imposSibe?"
"I must ask you second time to treat
this matter seriously. Have you for
gotten your position in society and that
of your family?"
81 do not see how my position in socl-
ETY. should be threatened by my marrying
lady who is worthy and able to BE- one
of society's greatest ornaments"
"RaIph, yo1 are fev1rishly excited
and hardly know what you are saying.
Tomorrow you will think differently
81 assure you, mamma, that it is my
fixed purpose to marry Miss Lyon.
MIS- Warringham now determined tc
try how far 1or authority would go. III
the severest tone at her command she
thus addressed her son:
"And | assure you that / shall never
give my consent to sach prepostcrou'
folly"
Ralph hesitated q moment before he
replicd. His mothers determination by
J no means rendered his own decision lc
/ irrcyo cable, but he desired to clOthe hi!
answer in words that would give her th(
least offense.
81 am very sorry, dear mamma" H.
rejoined, "to do anything that is at al
distastoful to you. But" And here
the generous fellow became again enthu
siastic. He seized his mothers hand
and his voice assumed pleading tone
at is the happiness of my life that is a
stake | could net live without th'
woman whom | love. ! know that m.
mother will not be averse to anything
that is necessary for her sons happiness.
Mrs. Warringham perceived that he
authority was of 10 avail in this case
But Ralph's emotion reminded her tina
she had another weapon which nigh
prove far more powerful 1t was he
last resource.
For q brief while there was silence
Mrs Warringham avoided the gaze O
her son, and turned her head as If t
look out Of the window. There wa
nothing to be seen outside but spcck
b'ue sky that was slowly being cOverc
with grayish clouds.
Ralph sat motionless, his bO1y lean
ing forward, his right hand, which stl
clasped that of his mother, resting 1
her lap When she turned her hea
again her eyes were moist
"Ralph, my dear son." she began
"you have always been my favoritC
When you were q little boy in knicker
bockers dreamed of the tire when yo
would be honorably settled in life, wit
a woman who was worthy of you at you
side, esteemed by everybody and upho'o
ing the splcndor and dignity OF you
family"
Mrs. Warringham's emotion, her sol
tones, th3 tears giStcning in her eye:
was such an extraordinary Occurrenc
Lat itcould not but make the dee pest i'm
rression uTon Rail- h. He lad never see
that naughty woman weep and the el
preston OF his face betrayed how deepl
he was touched
Mrs. Warrin ham saw her advantage
In the same appea ing tones she cor
t'nued:
"Are all these hopes to prove idle
Ralph? You know well that you car
not keep your position with wife VIII
has been an actress. Think of th
humiiat ons you would have to endur
when the houses in which you yoursel
are welcome are closed to your wife
when your friends would refuse to brin
their wives and daughters to your house