Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1896-05-28
She nodded,

A'O heAs 49, ~NA taAA4iJ ivy Woo WIZ
smiling rejoinder. But don't think Of
that improbable event. 1t belongs
strictly to the far-away future"
That ended the politicians courtship
of Mrs. Osgood, and gradually the affec-
ton which he had always cherished for
the mother seemed to be withdrawn
from her shrine and deposited at the
feet of the son. Lorain Osgood was pos
sessed Of his mothers ardent DISPOSE
ton, 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 dex-
trous stroke. He took young Osgood
into his confidence.
"Lorain," he said, one night, looking
at the young man sadly, 1--WE made
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 1t, my boy, and if 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, "Iguess not. Find
me some one to love, and l will do the
rest. half believe you are right, Mr..
Lawrence. Early marriages are un-
doubtedly to be commended" !
Lebanon was beside itself with curl
osity when Joseph Lawrcnce'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
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 valuable addition to its
ranks in the person of Joseph Law
rence's niece, who was remarkably
pretty girl, and who, it was limited,
would inherit the major portion of the
politically-acquired property. Mrs. o.
good was the only one who viewed the
newcomers with alarm. She had never
objected Ito the strong attachment ex-
listing between her son and the re-
jected sutton, but when it dawned upon
her that the affection was becoming q
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 indefnable dread and she trem-
bled at the thought of another woman
reigning supreme in her boys life. il
just after Lorain was 21 the decisive
blow came. Lorain himself was the one
to strike it.
"Mother," he cried, and he drew the
trim figure up close beside him, I've
news for you-glorious news. I'm to
he married, mother, soon."
She did not cry out. She even ceased
to tremble, but she did not answer.
"Why don'tyou say something, moth
err" he laughed, raising her pale, drawn
face and kissing her. "Aren't you
glad?"
The joy that quivered in every line
OF his boysh face touched her heart
and for his sake she tried to conceal the
pain.
II had hoped I should not hear that
news for many year." she whispered,
"but your happiness has always been
mine, you know"
Dear mother" he murmured, fond
", "of course you know whom she is
Irene Lawrence. Her people are more
than delighted with the match. The old
man is especially clated. The fact is,
mother, | think he has been the prime
mover in assisting me to win her"
MIS-. 0sgood's memory took sudden
leap backward
"Ah, yes" she sighed, refectively, IT
shouldn't wonder"
They were married in the early sum-
mer and went away for a short tour
through the west The Sunday after
the wedding Joseph Lawrence, pro-
tected by 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 Hurried than on tho
first day, but his method of treating
the errand on which he had come was
hardly less abrupt.
"Nlrs. Osgood" he said, do you re-
member little conversation we had
in this self-same place six years ago."
Great sobs lodged in her throat and
she coughed reply. His own memory
was very active then and her words:
(which time, please Heaven, will never
come while | live" Numbered in his
ears and pronounced nm guii1y Oh
wrecking a mothers happiness. They
bad tainted 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.