Graham guardian., 1896-03-06

turned aside Mrs. Grcgory's illusions to
his overworking himself by telling her
that he was tough and strinRy."
She never caught him mapping but
once; in September, after spell of bad
weather, he had come to the house one
night utterly done up, had eaten his
supper in more than usual silence and
retired to his own room very early.
Mrs. Gregory, remembering some little
matter she wanted to speak about,
went to his room and knocked, hut re
cciving no reply opened the door, and
seeing him stretched out in his big
homemade chair, went in. John was
SO dead dtircd that he had thrown him
self back in his chair, and fallen into a
dreamy rcveric SO profound that he had
neither heard Mrs. Gregorys knock or
entrance.
Mrs. Gregory was not an old woman,
counting years, but sorrow had left its
nnfadling marks upon face and form;
She both looked and felt an old woman.
AS she stood over the .dozing young
man, in the relaxation of utter cXhaus.
tion, her heart went out to the man,
who was i'll such large measure the pos
SCISSOR of that rareSt of all virtues, graft
tudc. and her conscience smote her as
she knew that they had not truly ap
prcciatcl the goodness of the man who
was giving the strength of his days to
their service. AS she looked at him
with her own face working, and her
eyes brilnming, he moved uncasIy and
muttered some words. She caught the
word; Mother" and in q moment it be-
came clear as sunlight to her that this
man was indeed a son TO her. She
leaned over ami kissed him on the fore
head. John came to with start, and
She put her hand on his shoulder and
said, SO tenderly that it brought the
tears to his eyes!
MY poor boy, to think of you working
yourself to death for two poor creatures.
7 must try to be mother To you in
deed, and look after you closely, or you
will kill yourself"
He looked at the kind loving face, so
changed since he had first known it,
and vet the same, and rs he softly
stroked the thin hand, he spoke from a
full heart:
81 was dreaming little, and in the
dream my mother came to me. and told
me not to be discouraged and all would
come right, and then ! awolSe."
Mrs Gregory had for the time for
gotten her errand.
"John, why are you so good to us?
You are not of our blood, you have
splendid capacity and could carve out
fortune for yourself Why do you tie
Yourself down to two helpless women
who have no claims on you"
John made an effort, steadied his voice
and replied in a voice that Mrs. Gregory
had never heard from him:
Mrs. Gregory am surprised at you.
Have you forgotten the poor, homeless
waif to whom you gave food and
shelter and affection? / have not, and
have not forgotten that the last word
promise to care for you, if God spared
me-"
He had risen as he spoke as if to repel
the insinuation in her statement that
he might better his condition else
where. She answered by putting her
arms around his neck my son, my
son, feel as truly that you are my son
as if you had been born TO me-"
The young man tenderly supported
her as he replied: Mother, Will in
deed try TO he good son to You. and
thus was ratified a compact between
TWO true souls, which was never
broken. Henceforth it was Mother
| and Son"