Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1896-05-15

curiosity when Joseph Lawrence's
sister.in-law aud her daughter
came down to the old place from
the city to keep house for him.
There had long been a rumOr
current that Lawrence was not as
generouly disposed toward his rel
atiyes as his circumstances would
permit. and his sudden relenting
was a matter for much snrmlslng.
But all guessing invariably ended
in Lebanon society cOngratnlating
itself upon the acquisition OF a
valuable addition to its ranks in
the person OF Joseph Lawrence's
Il ece, who was remarkably pretty
glrl, and who. it was limited, would
inherit the majDr portion Of the
politically acquired property. Mrs.
Osgood was the only one who
viewed the new cOmers with alarm.
Sne had never objected to the
strong attachment existing be-
tween her son and the rejected
slltOr, but when it dawned upon
her that the affection was becOm-
ing family affair in which the
niece was receiving all the homage
naturally due her from an earnest
romantic young man, her fond
mothers heart ached with an ln-
defnable dread and she trembled
at the thought of another woman
reigniDg supreme in her boys life.
Just after Lprain was 2l the
decisive blow came. LOrain him
self WAS the one to strike It.
M pther," he cried, and he drew
the trim figure up close beside him,
"Fve news tor yOu-gloriods news, ,
Tn to be married, mother, SOON"
She id not cry out. She even
G, as Il to ole, but she did not
answer.
"Why don't yOu say something,
motaeI!' he laughed, raising her
pale, drawn face and kissing her.
"Areu'c you elad2'
Tue joy that quivered in every
line of his bO,iSh face touched her
heart aud for his sake she tried to
conceal the pam.
Il had hoped | shOnld not hear
that news for many a year." she
whispered, "but your happiness
has always been NINE, yOn know"
Dear mother he murmured,
iondly, "of course you know whom
she is-Irene Lawrence. Her peO .
pie are more than delighted with
the match. The old man is es.
peciaIly elated. The fact is. mother,
[ thlnk he has been the prime
moyerin assisting me to win her."
Mrs O-good's memory took a
Sudden leap back ward.
"Ah, yes" she sighed, reflect
lively, VI should've wonder
They were married in the early
summer and went away for a
short tour through the west. The
Sunday after the wedding Joseph
Lawrence, protected by a double
plate amor OF self assurance, made
his second call on Mrs. OsgOOd. HI e
sound her sitting near .the san e
window against whose light htI
wholesome beauty had been
silhouelted on the occasion OF hls
Grst proposal. His heart was less
llurried than oO the first day, but
his method of treating the errand
on which he had come was hardly
/ 50 abrupt.
"NIrs. OsgoOd," he said, "do you
remember little conversation We
had in this self'same place SIX
years ago"
Great sobs lodged IN her throat
and she cOughed reply. His owl
memory was very ac. i've then ahc
her words: (Which time, please
Heaven, will never come while
liye,D thundered in his ears anf
pronounced him guilty OF wreck
ing a mothers happiness. The,
had tainted him IA good many
times In the last few months, bui
never so loudly as then. But th'
politician had ground his Ak all bu
he finishing touches and he didn
intend to let the grindstone rest a
that te day.
"Perhaps you'll recoilect," he
continued, cautiously, "that attha
time you told ne could broach
C rtaln subject again after YOU
son married. LOraln has gone"-
she looked out toward the gardel
where her boy had worked tht
summer day six years before, AM
her tears fell fast. Mrs. Osgood.
aud his voice was very gentle ant
tender then, "are you still ayers'
to a second marrlagei"
She looked around on tn
empty house and empty garde
and then her eyes rested ol