The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1897-12-24
1T2iGcell;tuc0na
AN AWAKENING OF LOVE.
BIZ GERTRUDE SMITH.

II don't see, when tomorrow is your
wedding day, how you can find time
to sit there aud look out of that win
dow
"Ycu have done everything for me,
mother. l just want to be quiet and
enjoy my last afternoon with YOU"
with me. You've sat there for an
hour and haven't turned your head
or said q word
Il was thinking about father"
'Well, should think he'd be the
last one your mind would travel to to-
day"
Alice turned and looked at her
mother gr&vely for a moment, and
then, smiling, shook herahead.
YES, | know you've always been in
clined to take his part against me.
What he has ever done to hold your
faith i'll him don't know.
Mrs. Wheaton was sitting before the
wide open fire. Long yards of delicate
edging lay rolled in her lap, and the
tatting-shutt!e moved rapidly be-
tween her fingers
Mother, | want to talk to you
about father, but am not going to
tlame you. Ycu know stopped that
year ago.
Mrs.. Wheaton was sensitively CON
scious OF tie great change love had
wrought in Alice. The JOY shat
thrilled the GIRLS heart had complete
ly sIiiled her Inheritance Of i'll humor
Should the sprout of crab-tree some
bright May morning bear the bios
SONS OF the sweeting, the change
would not be more definite.
Mrs. Wheaton rested her work in
her lap. We'll, go on. What doyou
want to say!h
Alice looked down through the
white aisles of thu orchard and up at
the soft failing lakes of snow in the
sky. but could not speak.
When five stifl"d minutes had pass
ed she got UP and crossed the room
and looked out OF the front window.
She could see the line Of the country
road FOR half uiie. The snow
ploughs had been through, but the
track had almost filled in again.
Very soon Earnest would come in
sight where the great Oak-tree grew
in the center of the road, and there
would not be auO' ger chance before
she was married have this talk
with her mother.
The nearuess {, her lovers presence
quieted the fea III beating of her
heart.
She went softly and stood behind
her mother cher, and stopping, kiss
ed her. Il love you. That's the first
thing | want to say"
You say your lesson very well.n
Alice laughed. You nean Earnest
taught Inc to say it? Yes, he did. .
She put her arms around her mother
neck. But haven't you felt lately
that | do love you more than used
tor
1t was several moments before Mrs.
| Wheaton answered. Yes, l have,
and | realize who has brought it
| about"
Alice had never heard the quality
of her mothers tone so gentle. She
drew /. deep breath for strength.
| Father likes Earnest as well as you
| do. They are friends
Mrs. Wheaton pushed aside the
| loving arms. Have you been there
with him."
| :'Oh, Earnest knew father long be
| fore he knew US. He took me there
| 1t was because lie liked father so well
| that he was first interested TO know
me. He understands aim better than
we ever did,
There isn't anything about him &c
understand
Earnest thinks there is. He thinks
he is one of the best men he ever
| knew
Il never said he WASH t a good man
| but that's exactly as far as he goes
| What would have become of us if
hadn't happened to have means, 70
like to know? He was never capable
of supporting US. There, I'm not 90
ing to talk about it"
He has worked since he went away
mother. He owns his own home anC
three hundred acres of land"
''He doesn't own that place where
he lives?'
Eyes, he does 1t is the rretties
little house inside | ever saw. GoI
should see the flowers he has. VIII,
mother, he has six rooms and they arr
just filled with flowers. He says he al
ways gives them away for Christina
gifts, and this year he raised doubl,
quantity, so could have all | wanted
for my wedding. We are going owe
there tonight after them
Mrs. Wheaton's lips were parted
Her eyes haG the look of one Sudden
ly Weakened from a deep sleep.
"Oh, mother, he says he loves you
and that he only went away becaus
he loved you and wanted to show yor
what he could DO Some time, he says
he is coming 20 tell you. But, mother
tomorrow is Christmas, and IL.
wedding day. Oh, wish
We'll, you nasdu' { wish, Ter 1t won
do any good, Alice
There wis silence between them 70