Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-07-22

uanced In the names and glowing Goals.
Whether you were looking into the
fercest fire or upon banks of dull, cold
cinders, ii has always been the same;
the home you long for has been ever
II, Joe, how | wish you had Ii.
Joe" she resumed, after a short ST.
lence, the girls are married now and
off your hands. / am the only one left.
1t isn't right that you should waste
more precious years of your life on
me. You are past 80 Ii Is time for
your dreaming to end and the reality
to begin. / am old and crippled and
worthless. Don't let me be a burden
TO you any longer. Put me away some
place and let the home making COM
mence."
Mother" The reproach in his voice
thrilled and startled her, and she
turned her face away. why, mother,
how can you talk like that to me? Put
you away? Don't hurt me by suggest
ing such thing. / wouldn't give you
up for all the women in the world Who
said you were a burden to me? Let's
brush the old picture of home away,
mother and paint another"
mo, no, Joe; not yet" and she nes-
tied closer to his side; lis there-any-
body-in Particular
Joe's face turned deeper crimson
and he looked around in alright as If
he would fain seek refuge in flight
sfIc tbara che porcictad
He nodded
who is she? Tell me. | have a
right to know, haven't /, Joe?"
Oh, how his heart throbbed and how
his great. strong hands trembled.
THE alto singer in the church
choir" he said, weakly.
joe" she asked, at length, have
you told her about it?'
I've limited at it.
And what did she say?"
Nothing. Didn't seem to under
stand"
you mustn't hint any longer. She's
all the world to you, isn't she, Joe?"
He tried to say yes" The monosyl-
liable somehow lost it's identity, and
reached her ears in the guise of
cough, but the mother understood.
And she has been just that, dear,
Yes" more clearly that time.
Then you must go to her tomorrow
night and tell her all about it. 1t will
come easier now that you and / under
stand each other. Put me in the
background. She will object to me, I'm
sure. / know all her arguments; your
wages are not large enough to support
two women, and the house that would
hold two families has never been built.
That is all true, too. She wouldn't
be genuine woman If she didn't look
at it in that way. But you must over
come these objections. Tell her am
very meek and humble; that / won't
cost you much; that I'll be content
with one little room; that I'll love her
dearly, and that l can't last much lon
ger, anyway. Oh she must make you
happy, Joe, you deserve il so. Will
you go, tomorrow"
'Yes, tomorrow. Please God the
dream may come true"
He drew his couch around so he
could see the freight from the open
stove falling fitfully on the motto and
the composition, and his dreams that
night had an added significance. The
next day when attending the furnace
his ideal home seemed very near. The
fantastic figures in the flames took on
the semblance of his beloved dream
family, and the kissing of the fiery
tongues was resolved into the merry
cries Of children.
His mother watched him proudly
that night, when, attired in his new
black suit-the first tailor made suit
he had ever owned-he tipped and tilt
ed the little mirror in the vain endeav-
or to catch a full length view of his
tall figure.
You look handsome, Joe" she said,
with a quavering laugh. MAY success
be with you"
She did not expect him to return I'M
til late, and was surprised when, lit
tie past 8, she heard his familiar step
on the board walk in front of the cot
tage. Her crippled limbs seemed en-
dowed with new life as she advanced to
meet him.
my dear, dear boy" she cried, lis it
well with you? Has the dream come
true?"
The look Of hopeless misery that had
settled over his haggard face was her
answer She glanced toward the boy
ish composition hanging on the wall
and sobbed piteously.
There, there, mother" he said, soft
ly, don't cry. It'll be all right. Well
dream OF something else