Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1897-04-15

had risen from her seat and como up |
to him putting trembling hand on |
his shoulder, silently pleading. Y
effort! BourguelI, suddenly renem-
berlng that he was a Roman, had
again poured forth msledictions and
his formidable "never.,'
Ard on this lovely Easter morning
lie IS more than usually sad and i'll
tempered - this strong minded old
mason. He teels very nervous: he
has cut his chin twice while shaving.
OF, no; he will not be weak enough
to pay an income to his undutiful son.
Would old Brutus have relented? OF
course not. And last night he was on
the point Of yielding! That is what
comes OF listening to women. They
haven't energy for two sous, the
women haven't. Bourguell Is frmer
than ever in his resolutions as he puts
on white shirt and his gray holiday
suit. He goes into the parlor, that
cozy. pretty parlor he was SO proud
Of when things had still some interest
for him, and looks at the clock. 1t is
only IL o'clock. and Bourgueil, who
has fine appetite this morning, feels
cross at the thought Of eating only at
II. Soon Mother Bourgueil returns
from church with large bunch Of box
plant. She places it on a little side
table, and suddenly the whole room is
filled with the strong, fresh odor.
Bourgueil Is no poet he has not
very refined nature. Yet he is i'm
presslonable for all that-like you or
me-and the sight of the green
branches recalls far of memories
| While the old woman is busy taking
apart the twigs to decorate the rooms
with them, the penetrating perfume
affects his old heart. He remembers
certain Easter morning-ah,so SO long,
long ago-when he was still work
man, and his young wife a dress
makers apprentice. 1t was their
! honeymoon, for they had married a
few days before Lent. Then, too. she
had returned from church with fra
grant burden and made their only
room bright and festive. How pretty
/ she lookedl and how he loved her
] And by rapid effort Of Imagination
| he recalls in an instant their long
years of married life; she has ever
/ been SO Industrious, SO thrifty, so de.
voted. And now he tortures her
this good, brave woman-he makes
| her suffer on account Of his wicked
| son.
But is Edward really so wicked as
all that? OF course fellow oaght to
j l,onoI a:a i2tler all m4t141. -
me. s.,ev en- lhpt. tis1-,.,-are 80 IL
faalsno Re sae4z,ss Mother G1ftg ~-a<-s
y.t1 r9e5st eye. "a stl2 Goas 10 place
a spray of box above Edward 3 pic
ture on the wall-a picture OF their
boy in his college suit, when they felt
SO proud of him and of his studies
"What is the NATTER The old
mason hardly knows what he is about.
His head swims; 1t is that strong odor
of the plant, doubtles. But his heart
fills with something that seems very
much like mercy and pardon. He
goes ND to his wife, takes her @hands,
and, looking at the picture, mutters.
his rough voice grown strangely soft
"Sav, Clemence, shall we-forelve
him?" All; the cry Of JOY that bursts
from the mothers lips! And be has
called her "Clemence," just as IN their
Young days. He has not given her
that name for more than fifteen years
And she understands that he loves hel
s1ill-her husband, her old com
, panlon.
She throws herself in his arms ant
kisses him frantically, all over hi
; face, takes his head in both of he
hands, and whispers IN his ear. Th
other day-she couldn't help 1t
reallv-she went to see their boy. II
!, IS SO unhappy to have offended them
e And if he has not come hundre
# times TO beg their forgiveness, it
II simply because he did not dare. "1o
e know" she adds-and her voice be
e comes soft and caressing-"y
It know have seen his wife, and yo
r. really cannot blame him for lovln
Of her, she IS SO sweet. and as fresh as
rose. She just worships our Edwar
IL -one can see that at once and si
ID keeps their little home III such apple
|, PIE order
Id Bourgueil feels oppressed-he
al choking. Putting trembling ting'
is or his wife's lips: THAT will do -
n says. "Send for q cab. Let Us tai
an some Of these sprays to them III sig
u OF peace, and bring them home VII
at us -
at And while the Old mother, stunnt
be with JOY, falls sohbing on her m
A bands SHOULDER, urgueil-the Il
man, the old Brutus-beglns to CT
re softly, ike child.
nc
Easier thoughts.