The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1896-05-09
She nodded.
She nodded.
"And when your son marries, then,
/ take it, there will be no harm done
;f 4 l1r;nr NY, tbis matter arair ?"

| take it, there will be no harm done
If bring up this matter again"
mo harm, certainly not" was the
smiling rejoinder. "But don't think OF
that improbable event. 1t belongs
strictly to the far-away future"
That ended the politicians courtship
of Mrs. Osgood, and gradually the affec-
ton which he had always cherished for
the mother seemed to be withdrawn
from her shrine and deposited at the
feet of the son. Lorain Osgood was pos
sessed of his mothers ardent disposi-
ton, untempered by her reserve, and
he returned the proffered friendship in |
good measure. The boys 10th birthday
and four succeeding ones came ana
went, making great red-letter days IN
.Joseph Lawrence's calendar. When the
Younger man was 20 some of the native
acuteness which Lawrence had partial
ly repressed since his retirement from
politics again cropped out, and ne oe-
cjded that it was time to make dex-
trous stroke. He took young Osgood
into his confidence.
"Lorain," he said, one night, looking
at the young man sadly, "I've made a
good many mistakes in my life, but the
greatest of all was my neglecting to
marry in my early days. There's moth
ing so conducive to happiness and pros
| perity as an early marriage. THINK
over it, my boy. and if you find face
and character that please you and that
| give promise of making you happy,
font mock fate by throwing your
chance to the four winds. You wouldn't
mind marrying by the time you are OF
age, would you, Lorain?"
Lorain laughed.
"No," he returned, II guess not. Flnd
me some one to love, and l will do the
rest. half believe you are right, Mr..
Lawrence. Early marriages are I'M
doubtedly to be commended"
Lebanon was beside itself with curl
osity wher Joseph Lawrence's sister
in-law and her daughter came down to
the old place from the city to keep
house for him. There had long been
rumor current that Lawrence was hot
: as generously disposed toward his rel
atives as his circumstances would + r
: nit, and his sudden relenting was
matter for much surmising. But al
guessing invariably ended in Lebanon
society congratulating itself upon thu
ACQUISITION of a valuable addition to it,
: ranks in the person of Joseph Law
+ rence's niece, who was remarkabl,
pretty girl, and who, it was limited
:, would inherit the major portion OF tn
politically-acquired property. Mrs. Os
good was the only one who viewed tn
newcomers with alarm. She had neve
objected to the strong attachment ex
2 isting between her son and the re
iected sutton, but when it dawned upo
: her that the affection was becoming
e family affair in which the niece was re
! ceiving all the homage naturally du
C her from an earnest, romantic yotn
& man. her fond mothers heart ache
e with an indeiinable dread and she tren
S bled at the thought of another woma
+ reigning supreme in her boys life.
6 Just after Lorain was Fl the decisiy
IL bloy came. Lorain himself was the on
IS to strike it.
II "Mother," he cried, and he drew til
is trim figure up close beside him, "I'
re news for you-glorious news. I'm
t. he married, mother, soon."
81 She did not cry out. She even cease
at TO tremble, but she did not answer
m '.Why don't you say something, mot
ii err" he laughed, raising her pale, draw
Vi face and kissing her. Aren't "
he glad?"
lie The Joy that quivered in every Iii
Of his boyish face touched her hea
h. and for his sake she tried to conceal t
it pain.
on 81 had hoped should not hear tn
III news for many year," she whispert
,rs sbut your happiness has always be
q mine, you know"
ee. "Dear mother" he murmured, for
er, IN, "of course you know whom she il
be- Irene Lawrence. Her people are mt
re- than delighted with the match. The
do nan is especially elated. The fact
mother, think he has been the pri
, a mover in assisting me to win her.
no. Mrs. Osgood's memory took sudo
leap backward.
ed "Ah. yes," she sighed, refiectively,
ery shouldn't wop3er."
de- They were maf11ed IN Snc carry d
pht mer and went away for s. short t
2 q through the west. The Sunday al
to the wedding Joseph Lawrence, I
mi tected by double-plate armor OF 8
div assurance, made his second call on
res Osgood. He found her sitting near
in same window against whose light
ar - wholesome beauty had been silhouet
ted ON the occasion of his first propo
His heart was less Hurried than on
hat first day. but his method of treat
,y;ll the errand on which he had come
hardly less abrupt.
,aze "Mrs. Osgood," he said, do you
,v.. member a little conversation we
ord in this self-same place six years ago
Great sobs lodged in her throat
Ia she coughed reply. His own men
49, was very active then and her wo
(which time, please Heaven, will N
ons come while / live" Numbered in
81 ears and pronounced him guilty
nan wrecking a mothers happiness. ]
'ion had tainted him good many tim'
easo the last few months, but never SO To-
NV, as then. But the politician had gre
y " his AK all but the finishing touches
he didn't intend to let the grinds
ions rest at that late day.
-