The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-11-17
44lAEA[B3G6i5 off f @ J: ~
by Edna Todd Bowers.

sIAi'''NN IN
ro,,-she could not recall a period In
hsr lie when an utter disregard of self
h.I not tsen demanded and In a meas
nra yIyen. "a childhood 1t had been the
dcprlyat,ou Of l,srt play lime. which ever
seemed converted into hours of ',~atch-
Iny sis,er.-the. .irl,some rolling Of the
hahy buggy 10 and down the long We
rsplay while other children played
"Elng william, in an adjoining yard, or
sot under the trees with their dolls. and
nI,cd her because She had sister to
nurse. 9 % 81
so +, Ind gradually become a matter
n course for her to give up natural
rIrlish frlvol.tics and luxurles for this
s,ms sister. who early in life expected
Iora to meet any selfish demands she
nIsh, impose-and that too. without
fear of rebuff. ~ t53 x V.
when she had married, some two
years before, 1t was Lora who had fur,
nIshed the dainty little. rousseau, DEEM
Irs II no hardship to wear for another
season her shabby wardrobe Of the past
year. 1t was the pretty bride had
driven away that she had said. only
mother rs left to me now and II a
thought Of her own future life and the
desire for 4 home had come to her. 1t
had been dismissed peremptorily.
since the days when she had first be-
run doing up" her long brown ciirls,
and, Milton Woodland was caressins his
first downy moustnche, she had Guilt
waited her greatest OF saerltlces-the
sacrifice Of her womanly love on the al
ter OF fllai duty. She was not only her
mothers only companion, but her one
means of support. With a score OF
music pupils Lora had made 1t possible
for the two to live comfortably. though
never luxunously. while the dainty lit
lie mothur. with her forty odd years Of
experience in life, placidly accepted the
idea she had conceived regarding Lora,
to the effect that she wasn't the mar
1 rying klnd-muslcians never were like
other people. and Lora always cared
more for her than for beaux. etc" OF
course this, conclusion was to Mrs. Rus
sell quite comforting, and. while per-
haps a trine selfish, she was not aware
Of the fact.
Yet some way all feelings,events and
plans seer, 10 have a tendency toward q
4 grand finale-a great closing tableau,
and on this, particular evening as Lora
sat waiting in the little parlor for Mil
ton woodard. she felt the climax of her
4 whole existence was at hand. She was
not woman to estimate lightly the gift
1 Of love. whether she be the recipient or
donor, and her love for Milton during
the past I'VE years had grown to be all
the sweeter, all the purer and stronger.
slnceHi 1t had ever been buried deep deep
In her heart, where the glare OF the
world, the scorn of the pessimist and the
wisdom, OF. the experienced had not sui
lied its Perfection. 1t had been sweet,
! hopeless love--a love that unfolded no
4 grllsh dreams Of the bridal veil. a we'd
J ding march or. love In a cottage, for she
had believed there could be no such fu-
ture for one like her. and had thought
4 herself contented to live for her mother
and her pleasures. until the previous
day something Milton had said-just a
word, coupled with intuition-and un-
rest had entered her soul. where but
yesterday peace had relgned.
Her love was rec!procated! She must
have known 1t all alongside could now
recall world OF tenderness in his very
words! and It was, oh! so sweet to feel
her love was returned-yet while her
breast responded. she could never ask
hlmto carry the burden OF responsible
y ty she felt incumbent on herself regard
Ing her mother: so there could be blu,
one outcome,tn their love. and that was
life long parting.
True, her mother was not old-she
could still lay claims to beauty. II no,
n to youth, but SO habitual had become
lora's condition OF martyrdom-thougt
she did not SO regard it-that the Idea
Other mother ever becoming self sup.
4 porting, or that she would ever cease tc
need her assistance. was 4 thought I'm.
n born.
But tonight. as she lost herself In re.
a lection, shn recalled a late peculiar
retloence on the part Of her mother. ant
SEVERAL times 1t had occurred to hel
that there was something in the moth,
4 ers heart the lips refused to reveal
4 There had never been anything strained
IN their relations, and she had marvelet
not little when on several occasion,
she had ,faltringly addressed her-thet
stopped In confusion. What could Il
all mean?" But rap on the dool
brought her out OF her reverle and Il
her feet, thence to the side OF the mar
che loved. ~,
How late your are, MIlton!"
Yes, Lorn. late and pensive, but hap.
by! Father has returned?" ,F
y And his health? Improved, 1 hope
All. yes, Lora, that Is the hest OF 4
a'' but since 1.-The. GLORIOUS golden west.
az he terms California, has restored hi
shattered nerves he has purchased q
nome In the beautiful Sacramento val
wy and will therefore not remain with
NE long
Then you will not 60. with him?"
q NO, dear" taking her hand in boti
% bis big strong ones. II shall remain
mere omake home for the dearest III
10 woman living.if she viii but con
a cent"
Oh. Milton. don't" was the unex
Nc'ed response, while her form wa,
suddenly shaken with the conflIct!nt