The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-26
'Twixt Love and DUTY.

mother. Every one who knew OF his de-
votion declared that he was a model son.
She was his only sweetheart, and she had
herself declared that her love for him
compensated for all things. When he had
laughingly announced his intention of
never marrying while she was spared TO
him. the neighbors as laughingly replied
that he would remain fine old bachelor.
Tom did not care. at least not much.
until he had met Margaret Storrow. and
then he realized that there was another
kind of love far different from what he
had been experiencing That which he
entertained for his mother suffered no
diminution. 1t being true. pure and flial
to perfection; but the emotion engender-
ed by Margaret was of an entirely differ
ent character; II was g. steady, consum-
ing fame that burned ceaselessly-burn-
Ing almost too hercely-with desire.
1t did not take Tom long TO ascertain
that his affection for Margaret was re-
ciprocaL She was what is known as a
pretty girl. good dresser and CONVEX
sationalist, supposed to possess a kind
heart. and always especially attractive
when Tom was In the neighborhood. Like
many other girls. she was little bit of
coquette, her only visible !nperrection be-
ing an air of imperiousness which at times
was decided unpleasant
Well. Tom had told her of-his plans In
fact. the two had talked the matter over
many times. He had told her of his
mother, had taken Margaret to see the
dear old lady. had told tho girl of his
choice that they must wait. Margaret
promised that she would be patient, al
though it was evident that she chafed at
all this consideration Tom was showing
for his mother.
II wish you had more decision. Tom"
said Margaret one day; you know girl
will not walt forever. Here I am vast
ing the best part of my life with you For
m part 1 am thoroughly dissatisfied with
this protracted state OF affairs
The young man started as though he
had received a blow.
Wasted! Wasted, Margaret!' he said
We'll. perhaps you are right. l may not
deserve to have any girl wait for me. But
L love you dearly, Notwithstanding what
you have Just said in a moment of vex-
alton. [ would be willing to wait for you
indefinitely, II I thought eventually the
happy time would come when you would
truly be mine. Think, dear, mother il
old and III. To leave her now would be
cruel l cannot do 1t, even for you and
my selfish happiness. I would not bring
you into the same house with her. for that
is her home, and she is mistress OF IT,
Can you not wait little while longer,
dear. year only, perhaps not so long,
until am able to see my way clearly and
get prepared to make you mistress Of a
home Of your own?'
He placed his arms about her tenderly,
but she broke away from him with an
angry gesture.
Enough Of this sentimentI' she cried
cit is simply a case of your mother. Are
you to sacrifice everything-sacrifce me
or her? Once and for all this matter shall
be decided now. Take your choice-choose
now between your mother and me-"
Toms face was pale. His breast was
heaving convulsively. He shivered as
though facing fearful ordeal, but he
never wavered.
BE it as you say" he answered. "I
will take my choice. 1t is this: 1 will
never desert my mother! To do that |
would be for me to make myself cow
ard, an migrate. Margaret, you have re-
fused to be just, refused even to be gen. |
erous. With angry words you reply to |
my pleadings. You say choose and
do. My mother-hrst, last and always"
A moment later he was alone. The girl |
filled with rage, had rushed from his pres |
ence. The knowledge of the futility Of her |
efforts to conquer him maddened her. |
Signing heavily, Tom turned away from |
the trysting place, and went back to his |
home and-his mother.
He found her unusually I'll, and for days |
afterward his anxiety as to her condition !
prevented his having any intercourse with !
Margaret True he often thought of her; |
he could not help ddoing that, but some |
how or other these latter thoughts were /
not as the tender blissful musings TO |
which he was once accustomed. And she. |
feeling that her love had been scorned, |
kept wholly to herself, feeling bitterly to-
ward him.
eff she would show a little considera-
ton" thought Tom. Even now she |
knows that mother is Ill, and yet not
word of interest or sympathy. All, Mar
garrett I thought you loved me; but this
treatment is nothing short of exquisite
cruelty"
The days wore on. Margaret Storrow
had gone away. Reports were circulatSd
that she and Tom had quarreled. THIS
report was followed with the announce
ment that she had 9 'ri~&cted a. ani7rce
with a man of wealth. man old enough
TO be her father-which announcement
was srbstantiated when neatly engraved
wedding invitations were received. One
of these was sent TO Tom, and with 1t
Margaret wrote: 81 do not love the man
I am about to marry. 1t is not too late for
me to tell him SO. Write 20 me. Tom, for
I hunger for a word from you. Your 81
lence is something awful"
But Tom did not trust himself 70 reT'ly
Margaret had sown the seed; che must
reap the harvest. No word would she re-
ceive from him. On the day OF her we'd
ding Tsm laid his mother to rest. With
no regret of his self-denial and n repn-
ing for the girl that was now forever lost
to him, with barred head he stood by that
mothers newly made grave and sad:
II have tried 10 do my duty. Boston
Post.