The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1899-12-08

that his mother was miles away and
could not possibly hear what he had to
shy.
pered, and II light broke from his timid
eyes.
rs Mr.: Mrs: Damman gcins to remain
is right here in town." he answered.
with her aunt, and see her every day"
Il am glad OF that" l said. "Perhaps
your mother will come around and ask
her to come back again."
He shook his hend hopelessly. "She
doesn't even want to hear her name
spoken" he answered sadly, and /
Keeping. My wife Is sorry now for what
has happened, but she is miserably
afraid of my mother"
What are YOU going to do about it ?"
He seemed SO boyish and fearful of con-
sequences that could not help getting
out of patience with him. If he had had
Il little more ehergy, felt sure the tvs
women would not have become separat
ed. He shrugged his shoulders. Il
as things are now, l am glad to be-
n abs to be with my wife without being
You must bring them together" ad-
munished. 1T Is your duty. TRY to
make an end of this unsatisfactory state
raised my hat and walked on. Two
promenadiug in the park. :Ah,",I said,
ION your why home at Instr
"Fred's going there, bnt not H. an
swered the young wife shyly; holding
out her hand to me.
THAT'S more than can understand"
l said somewhat dryy; the wife be-
longs III her husbands home"
You know how things are with us
she insisted. with sob
Yes, know. You are afraid Of
your mother-in-law, who has good
heart, but is unusually obstinate. And
YOU turning to her husband, "have not
the, energy to bring these two womrn to-
gether. You, my dear Mrs. Damlnah,
went out Of your own free will. and of
your own free will you must go back
When l saw that my words had made
deep impression on the two young peo-
pie. l continued: You had better go
home right now and become reconciled to
your mother-in-law."
Mother is away from home this even,
ing said Fred.
"All the BETTER 1 suggested. LET
your wife prepare the tea, and when she
comes back from the theatcr everything
will be lovely
l told them to follow me, and, to my
Joy, saw. that they had agreed to do as
| babe them. l entered the house about
five minutes before they could possibly
reach it, for they had perceptibly fallen
behind. Once within. [ discovered that
Fred was in error about his mother S
absence. The sewing machine was rat
an idea crossed my mind. l fingered
around my vest pocket, and from its
depths pulled scrap Of paper. 1t was
Mrs. Damman's welcome to her daugh-
ter-in-aw on the night of her arrival "a
Il bride. Quick as a flash l pinned 1t to
the door and then withdrew, to my own
apartm Mt to await tile appearance of
husband and wife.
The young wife's joyous cry startled
eyes fell on the piece of paper on the
door. And then she read aloud sentence
after sentence. alternately Sobbng and
laughing: Dear children: God bless
your home coming. l love you both.
dear daughter and beloved son: | could
the theater. Your MOTHER
Fred, Fred" she sohbej, "your moth
er wants ME to come back again. She
has forgiven me-dear mother!'
The door flew open, and the girl wife
rushed in. With sob she threw her
self into the elder woman's arms. For
give me, mother, forgive me! Oh, how
glad l am to be at home again with you"
stood motionless at my door. What
next? Mrs. Damman has not opened her
mouth. What if she were still obstinate
and would drive again from home the
penitent girl? But no, l heard her voice
now.
My dear child" she said softly. $50
you are sorry? 1t you had said so on
that miserable day all would have been
we'll. | love you: you are my child just
as much as he isl
"Oh, MOTHER she sobhed anew, Il
never knew how good you are. Scold
me, do what you will with me; you are
my darling mother anyhow
And they were reconciled. They called
me to witness their joy, and had hard
work to make Fred understand that l
had placed the scrap of paper on the
door that had brought about peace and
harmony in the little household. 1t was
an innocent deception, and if he ever
had the courage to confess it to his wife
l never heard it.-St. Louis Republic.