The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1897-01-22

VI
She kissed his brotp.
ton was not quite so perfect as that, I
think.
81 knew Michael was in the city, be-
cause I got letter from him..
(Which you answered by personal
advertisement.
Elbow did you know that?"
"He told me so. :"
The climax CT the old lady's amaze
ment had been reached. John had
thought it would be best to break his
great news to her gradually, Or at least
to bring her by degrees to state in
which it would not shock her too severe
ly, as he had an indefinite but strong
impression that women, when greatly
excited, were apt to go into Mysteries, Of
which he had a horror. But now he
deemed her prepared for his disclosures
and lost no more time in making them.
Beginning with his encountering Nc
Caffrey's name in the newspaper ON the
train, he gave her detailed account Of
his arduous nights work, ending his re-
cital with the triumphant exhibition Of
the old man s WI. 4 en- confession and the
long concealed agreement.
The widow heard his story through
without interruption, but demonstrating
by her attitude Of breathless eagerness
and the expression Of strained attention
in her countenance her intense interest
in his revelations. When all had been
told, she closed her eyes while she offer
ed up fervent prayer Of thanksgiving
to him whose justice is sure, but whose
mercy endureth forever. Then her graft.
tnde' to- John as his agent broke forth
Tears Of Joy stood IN Ter eyes, and her
voice quavered as, clasping his head be-
tween her hands, she repeatedly kissed
his brow and murmured:
"My son! My sonl did not know
how kind God was in sending you to
mep'
When she had regained control over
her emotion, John, with little hest
fancy, ventuTcd an inquiry after Adele
"She is we'll, ''replieor The mother.
with a smile, ''but says she does net
wish to see you. -
'Well, it is pretty late, or early" re-
piled John, with good natured obtuse-
ness
"But that is irrespective of the hour. "
'Eh? How so? Why that?'
''She took note to your house on the
day received McCaffrey' s letter asking
you to come up here as soon as you re-
turned, but did not leave it.
"No? Why not?"
"She will no doubt make that clear
to you when she sees you. She deems
her reason good. "
81 wish 1 could see her," he said,
with evidently innocent bewilderment.
The mothers keen eyes lad read hon.
esty in his countenance palmer than
words could have vouched for it, and it
was with happy confidence that she
called at the foot of the little staircase:
"Addie, come down. Mr.. Latham is
here"
In o few moments, taking a little
time that it might not be suspected how
very ready she had long been to answer
such summons, the consciously ag-
grieved maiden, very erect and frigid
in manner, entered the parlor.
N'OOo ihOlilluS,, BLU
said stiffiy and took seat as far from
him as the contracted dimensions of
the room would permit.
Her lover was stupefied by surprise.
Mrs. Halls eyes twinkled as she said:
"Mr Latham wants to know, Addie,
why you did not leave that letter for
him"
"Mr. Latham will probably not find
it difficult to surmise the reason when
he knows that called in person for the
purpose.
"Mr. Latham never was farther from
surmising anything in his life," ex-
claimed the young man very earnestly.
Addie flushed to her hair, but forced
herself to speak.
ct did not think" she said, latter
the discovery inadvertently made con-
corning your-your domestic arrange
ments, sir, that I had any right to
further obtrude my family affairs upon
you"
"My domestic arrangementsP You
had no rightp What in the world do
you mean, Adder We are strangely at
cross purposes it seems to me-"
"What is the use in you two beating
about the bush?" interposed the straight
forward widow. "Why don't you come
to the point at once? Who was that yell