The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-04-17


sessed of his mothers ardent DISPOSE
tion, untempered by her reserve, and
he returned the proffered friendship in
good measure. The boys 10th birthday
and four succeeding ones came and
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 he de-
cided that it was time to make a 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 ii, my boy, and if you find face
and character that please you and that
give promise of making you happy,
don't 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, Il guess not. Find
me some one to love, and / will do the
rest. | half believe you are right, Mr..
Lawrence. Early marriages are un-
doubtedfy to be commended
Lebanon was beside itself with curl
osity when 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 a
rumor current that Lawrence was not
as generously disposed toward his rel
atives as his circumstances would per
init, and his sudden relenting was a
matter for much surmising. But all
guessing invariably ended in Lebanon
society congratulating itself upon the
acquisition of a valuable addition to its
ranks in the person of Joseph Law
rence's niece, who was a remarkably
pretty girl. and who, il was hinted
would inherit the ajor portion of the
politically acquired property. Mrs. Os-
good was the only one who viewed the
newcomers with alarm. She had never
objected to the strong attachment ex-
isting between her son and the re-
jected suitor, but when it dawned upon
her that the affection was becoming
family affair in which the niece was re-
ceiving all the homage naturally due
her from an earnest. romantic young
man, her fond mothers heart ached
with an indefinable dread and she tIem-
bled at the thought OF another woman
reigning supreme in her boys life
just after Lorain was 2l the decisive
blow came. Lorain himself was the one
to strike il.
Mother" he cried. and he drew the
trim figure up close beside him, I've
news for you-glorious news. I'm to
lie married, mother, soon
She did not cry out. She even ceased
TO tremble, but she did not answer
Why don't you say something, moth
er?' he laughed, raising her pale, drawn
face and kissing her. Aren't yoI
glad?"
The joy that quivered in every line
Of his boyish face touched her heart
and for his sake she tried to conceal the
pain.
Il had hoped l should not hear that
news for many a year" she whispered,
but your happiness has always been
mine. you know"
Dear mother" he murmured, fond
y, "of course yOu know whom she is
Irene Lawrence. Her people are more
than delighted with the match. The old
itdh Is
mother, 1 think he has been the prime
mover in assisting me to win her"
Mrs. Osgood's memory took a sudden
leap backward.
-'Ah, yes" she sighed, refiectively, II
shouldn't wonder"
They were married in the early sum-
mer and went away for a short tour
through the west. The Sunday after.
he
tected by a double-plate armor of self
assurance, made his second call on Mrs
| osgood. He found her sitting near the
same window against whose light her
wholesome beauty had been silhouetted
on the occasion of his first proposal
His heart was less flurried than on the
| first day. but his method of treating
the errand on which he had come was
hardly less abrupt.
Mrs. Osgood," he said. do you re
member a little conversation we had
| in this self-same place six years ago"
Great sobs lodged in her throat and
she coughed a reply. His own memory
was very active then and her words:
Which time, please Heaven, will never
come while L live" thundered in his
ears and pronounced him guilty of
wrecking a mothers happiness They
had tauBoed him good many times in
| the last few months. but never SO loudly
as then. But the politician had ground
| his AK all but the finishing touches and
he didn't intend To let the grindstone
rest at that late day
Perhaps you'll recollect," he con-
1 tinued, cautiously, that at that time
| YOU told me i could breach a certain
subject again after your son married
Lorain has gone"-she looked out
| toward the garden where her boy had
worked that summer day six years be
| fore, and her tears fell fast. Mrs. Os-
| good" and his voice was very gentle
and tender then, ARE you still ayerse
| to a second marriage2"
She looked around on the empty house
| and the empty garden and then her eyes
rested on Joseph Lawrence.
NO" she said. Il don't believe am"
Chicago News.
Some Husbands Compared
In talking with an American about
the different conditions of women in
Japan and the United Staes. Japanes.