The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1897-03-20
THE POWER OF LOVE.
NY ANNA SHIELDS.

ny ANNA SHIELDS.
II ever a spoiled baby grew to a
spoiled child, and so TO a spoiled man,
that baby, boy and man arrived at the
aforementioned stage about the time
Clarence Parker reached his twenty
fifth year. TIs father left this scene OF
earthly change when Clarence was a
growing yoangster of two years, and
his mother, the weetest-tempered lit
tie woman to be found, Immediately
commenced a system of indulgence adj
rirabIy calculated TO make a milksop
c. her oEly son and the heir to his IA
theirs large estate.
That he did not grow up vicious was
probably due to the fact that he fair
" idolized his mother, and would not
have grieved her for any amount OF
seIf-gratifcation. Also, 1t must be con
fessed. because he was too indolent to
care to seek pleasure that did not fall
across his path.
lie had been educated by private tn-
tor till he entered college. had gradu-
afed there, and Travelled through Eu-
rope with his mother.
Mrs. Parker was little woman, a
mere mite beside her tall, staIwart son,
who called her by a thousand pet di-
minutiye names in half dozen Ian
guages. She was blue-eyed, fair-haired
and daintily pretty, neat to the extreme
OF nicely, gentle, low-Foieed, and eX-
uuisiteiy feminine, yet withai with a
weIl-stored mind and an intellect that
made her a charming companion, even
for her eollege-hedged son. Many a
sutton had tried to win her from her
one devotion, but in vain. MI her love
that was not her sons was buried in
his fathers grave, and she never put
OF the soft grays, puppies and neutral
tints of second mourning.
"When you are married, Claire, / will
buy one pink rose in honor of the occa-
sion," she would soy. But at Is Clar-
enee had never given her occasion TO
think of the pink rose.
l have said he was spoiled. and in a
certain sense he was. Without any vi
cious tendencies, he lacked the ambi-
ton and energy that are the attribute
o. true, manly nature. Tall, strong,
In perfect health, handsome as young
Apollo. he was content to dawdle
through life, spending his ample in
come upon dress, jewelry, opera tick
cts, well-appointed equipage, and the
means OF lazy, useless existence. And
his mother, proud Of his beauty, his pot
ished courtesy Of manner, his devotion
10 herself, asked no more.
But she was truly loving woman,
and when Clarence was rs was willing
10 conccde her throne in his affections
to a younger, stronger love, the love
that would brighten her sons life
with home happiness when her sceptcr
was in the coffin.
And half proudly, half regretfully.
she recognized the fact that the ideal of
womanhood he had founded upon her
example made him far too fastidious In
his intercourse With the girls of mod
ern society. A loud voice annoyed him.
a brusque manner Disguised him.
"When | find young lady as gentle.
refined and lovely as yourself, madro
mia he would say. 81 will move heav-
en- and earth to win her. Until then, let
me enjoy my liberty"
II was in the late spring. and Mrs
Parker Nas preparing for her annual re.
moval 10 her country seat Mt Chestnut
Hill. when q letter reached her from her
cousin and lifelong friend In Ohio. beg.
cling her to take charge Of his ONLY
daughter for few months. while he was
absent upon trip TO the far west. lie
wrote.
you have so ofton urged me 10 sIlov
Myra 10 pay you visit that do not hest
tate now TO ask your hospitality for her
] cannot we'll take her with me. as we arr
q party Of nine men upon n prospecting
jaunt I DO not Ike TO leave her here
alone. VIII you add to your Kindness hy
using the inclosed check for her dress
We have lived IN this lonely secmsion SO
long that ! do not doubt her whole az.
tire will be startllngly primitive, and she
has no friends here to help her select
finery."
There was much more, read aloud 10
Clarence, with this explanation.
"My Cousin john became hermit
when his wife died. ten years ago. lie
is wealthy. and a man of learning. but
he has buried himself for years upon
lonely farm. / have urged him often Il
send Myra to good school, and let her
make her home with me. but he said the
child was his only comfort, and be
lieve they have been inscparable from
l. l.. L. LEI 1.
must be 10"
Clarence made n grimace.
"Whcn does she come p he asked.
Thursday. We shall be at Chestnut
Hill, but sou can come into the city 20
meet her"
Certainly"
Aud az the appointed time in n fault
less suit Of summer gray. Mr., Clarence
Parker drove his carriage and coal