Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-06-26
A MOTHERS TRIUMPH.

knew right along that Maurice was
in the habit of paying court to every
other woman of his acquaintance pro-
vided she was pretty, and irrespective
of the fact whether she was married or
betrothed or not. The boy seemed to pay
no attention whatever to details but it
never occurred to me to be jealous, ex-
cept in the case of this Juliette.
His gallaEt adventures, his conquests
among theatrical ladies and young
women of all sorts-SShat were they to
me2 Pah, it all struck me as rather
amusing. Indeed, felt a sort OF pride
seeing that emancipated as well as
strictly proper girls ran into his nets
like huttering larks attracted by the
glamour of his young fame, by his en-
chanting disposition and his correct
manners.
And if you consider things rightly,
did not his success reflect credit upon
myself too? This artist who had become
famous in a night, whose past was the
promise Of q most brilliant future, was
he not flesh of my flesh, blood of my
blood? became a widow soon after his
birth and never entertained any other
wish but to find consolation in his love-
Because had gladly relinquished every
tb;E M order to save the means for his
fZ--Jatioh. the development of his tai
ehts, his glory was as fully -ly. work as
his personal beauty. At least thought
SO, and think so still. Unlike other
mothers, had recognized his genius
from the start, and had nurtured and
helped expand it; therefore was 1 not
entitled to share in his greatness?
And such a grateful child he was;
full of tenderness for his old mother,
this sweetheartNof an artist, this artist
in the realms Of foge Even before per-
feet strangers he used to call me dear
est mamma" A big, boy he was, and
still eager to do my biddings at all
hours, to fulfill my slightest wishes
Yet none of his teachers hadN ever sue
ceeded in subduing his independent
spirits They might run after him ever
so long, these ladies, boasting Of his
acquaintance. knew it well-he used
them only to kill time, changing sweet
hearts as often as the horses from the
7 livery stable which he rode in the Bots
The only woman that had any influence
, upon his life his adviser, his conf
tedant, she that filled his heart, was his
; mother
He met this Juliette in middle class
society-that society which inclines to
think itself of the first water and likes
to ''coquet" with artists, because the
great of this world honor them with in
vitations. She was no longer a young
girl, had been flirting a good deal and
had stood several times ON the very
threshold of the altar. 1 hated her at
first sight but must admit she was
pretty. The hair of the red Of English
mahogany, her complexion was of that
dull whiteness and was so excessively
delicate one might be afraid to spoil il
by a kiss. Add to this eyes of a very
peculiar, very dark, very moist green
ish tint, the color Of alga seaweed. Like
the rest of them, she fell i'll love with
! Maurice, and my boy was equally in
fatuated with her, for every time he
finds a new love he imagines, for the
first six weeks at least, that it is the
great passion. AS for me, looked Oh
without shadow of alarm. The great
passion indeed He had enjoyed half 9
dozen of the sort since Christmas. Still,
when Maurice painted Juliette's por.
trait her moist, cold, alga eyes began
to make me uneasy l read in them
of that admiration, that limit,
nr-ess devotion, which other women paid
to and felt for my boy.
Maurice seemed to be in q state Of
disquietude. He was nervous, excited,
disinclined for work. True, he told me
funny little stories as usual and tried
to appear unconcerned, but his hear
was not in it.
Three times he began the portrait
anew, and as often it turned out fail.
ure, Juliette telling him so plainly. All,
that girl knew not moderation in any.
thing-not even toward my Maurice.
Summer came. She was to leave for the
country. 81 will try fourth time, u
said Maurice. maybe that am more
fortunate in the quietude of rural life .
Juliette's parents, you must know
have a chateau in the Touraine, and in
vited Maurice to spend few week.
with them. Of course, he had to wal
some time after Juliette's departure fol
propriety's sake But, oh, how the sep
aration affected the boy His spirits al
ways depressed and his love of work en-
= tirely gone, his creative genius seemed
i1 0sso have taken flight. kS for me. suf
esident as much, for, pde' py, he refused
nd treasurerhis ssh. -ae. 1t was thu
We committee, F. II The name o.
xnap, G. w. Divoll, dis lips, and wheI
Alexander, G. W. Blae4- NQnyaTsetion upoI
reyious to the meeting 10 all for their frienus
party had flag rails 90 1 nov sn STf ops 10
+ years ago being util- 80 A. ]. 6
ute speech by Judge L. MR.. Al