The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1896-03-28
She nodded.

take il, there will be no harm done
IL I bring up this matter AGAIN."
"No harm, certainly not" was the
smiling rejoinder. "But don't think oi
that improbable event. 1t belongs
strictly to the far-away future"
That ended the politicians courtshiT
of Mrs. Osgood. and gradually the affec'
ton which he had always cherished fol
the mother seemed to be withdrawn
from her shrine and deposited at the
feet of the son. Lorain Osgood was pos
se5sed of his mothers ardent DISPOSE
ton, untempered by her reserve, and
be 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 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 il 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, 81 guess not. Find
me some one to love, and will do the
rest I half believe you are right, Mr..
Lawrence. Early marriages are un-
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-
NIT, and his sudden relenting was
matter for much surmising. But all
guessing invariably ended in Lebanon
society congratulating itself upon the
of valuable addition to it's
ranks in the person of Joseph Law
rence's niece, who was n remarkably
pretty girl, and who, it was limited,
would inherit the major portion of the
property. Mrs. Os-
good was the only one who viewed the
with alarm. She had never
to the strong attachment ex-
sting between her son and the re-
ected sutton, but when it dawned upon
her that the affection was becoming
family affair in which the niece was re-
,eiving all the homage naturally due
her from, an earnest, romantic young |
nan, her fond mothers heart ached |
With an indefinable dread and she trem-
,led at the thought of another woman |
supreme in her boys life.
just after Lorain was 81 the decisive
blow came. Lorain himself was the one
to strike it.
Mother" he cried, and he drew the
rim figure up close beside him, 1--WE
news for you-glorious news. I'm to
he married. mother, SOON"
She did not cry out. She even ceased |
70 tremble, but she did not answer,
"Why don't you say something, moth
,r?" he laughed, raising her pale, drawn
face and kissing her. aren't you
yIad?"
The joy that quivered in every line
II his boyish face touched her heart |
md for his sake she tried to conceal the |
pain.
II had hoped should not hear that
Jews for many n year." she whispered,
but your happiness has always been
nine, you know"
Dear mother" he murmured, fond |
y, of course you know whom she is
irene Lawrence. Her people are more |
han delighted with the match The old |
nan is especially clated. The fact is,
mother, think he has been the prime |
mover in assisting me to win her"
Mrs. Osgoods memory took sudden |
cap backward.
"Ah, yes" she sighed, refectively, 81
shouldn't wonder"
TheyNwere married in the early sum-
ner and went away for n short tour
through the west. The Sunday after |
the wedding Joseph Lawrence, pro-
tected by double-plate armor of self |
made his second call on Mrs.
osgood. He found her sitting near the |
same window against whose light her
beauty had been silhouetted |
IN the occasion of his first proposal. |
His heart was less Hurried 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.
little conversation we had
IN this self-same place six years ago."
Great sobs lodged in her throat and
ehe coughed reply. His own memory
vas very active then and her words:
Which time, please Heaven, will never
come while / live" Numbered in his
Ears and pronounced him guilty of
wrecking mothers happiness. They
,ad tainted him a good many times in