El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-14
Il REUNION.

sem blance to one another evidently moth
| er and son. From the moment took my
seat these two filed me with interest.
The young man spoke to me, and
recognized him some one l had met
| once or twice, but he did not offer to
introduce me to his companion, in whom
he was completely absorbed.
The conversation between mother and
son was so animated that one could not
choose but hear, and as they were per-
fectly oblivious of all save each other,
listened with undisguised interest to the
exchange of confidence which proved
how well each knew the other, how COM
pletely each trusted, how deep was the
devotion existing between them.
1t was very beautiful to see, this per-
feet confidence between mother and son,
and felt that there was no need to fear
for that boys future life. The memory
of his mothers love would grow forever
in his heart long after she should be gone
from him, keeping out evil and fostering
good.
He had evidently finished his first year
in the university, and she had gone to
Paris to meet and accompany him home.
"How glad your father will be to see
you again. she said. HE will not be
at the station, as his knee is hurting him
again, but he will go as far as the gate.
1 will wager that he is there already.
And Jeanne and Claudine, too, all eager
to see you. All, my boy, we have missed
you sorely. Madeline will be there, too,
most likely"
At the mention of this last name the
boys eyes left his mothers face for the
first time, and he looked out of the win
dow without replying. This did not es-
cape the mother, and a faint, troubled
look crossed her face. She changed the
subject.
And did you pass your examinations
well. Jean?
Fairly well, mother" replied the boy,
bringing his gaze back to her again
81 suppose we ought to begin to plan
for your future. Every advantage we
can give you you shall have. and it is our
hope that you will take up a profession.
Do you think you would care to study
medicine?"
"Not as well as something else. How
would you like to have me an engineer"
Anything you like, dear, is sure to
suit me-
They talked on, planning details of
study and work for the next few years.
Suddenly the mother said:
81 am happy to have you again, Jean,
and yet this talk of your future fills me
with something like sadness and fear.
You know every mother is jealous of her
place in her boys heart and anxious that,
if she should ever be displaced by an
other, that other should be worthy. Just
now we spoke of Madeline, and 1 saw
change in you that made my heart con-
tract with a sudden little spasm Of fool
ish jealousy
The boys face flushed painfully, but
his eyes remained steadfaStly fixed on
hers while she continued:
eff you ever love. and you are sure to,
my hope and prayer are that she may be
good and true, loving you as you love her,
that you may taste to its full the cup of
happiness found in the marriage of two
congenial souls. With that I will con-
tent myself when 1 am no longer first in
your affection"
The boy leaned forward and took her
hand.
'No one shall ever take your place." he
said. eff there should ever be any one
else, she will have to make new one
and occupy that"
Both laughed, the woman's eyes moist,
and the conversation flowed on happily
again.
AS evening drew on the train stopped
at a little station where we three were
the only ones to alisht, and where 1 hop
ed to make connections with another
train I found we were two hours late.
and my train had not waited. 1 would
have to remain there in the little station
for three hours. 1 was greatly annoyed
and asked the guard if there was a cafe
in the town.
The young man, who had overheard
our talk, approached me and begged me
that 1 accept his mothers invitation to
go home with them to dinner. e
81 cannot let you wait here three long
hours" she said kindly. 'If you will
come with us and partake of a simple
family dinner, we shall be very glad to
have YOU
I accepted gladly. and together we
walked along the country road.
At the gate of the pretty little house. |
as the mother had predicted, stood the
father. Beside him were three young
girls, two of whom dashed through the |
gate and down the path as we came in |
sight.
1 was forgotten in the first greetings |
between brother and sisters, father and |
son. When Jean turned to the figure in |
white standing little apart, the mother |
Dered me, and l was introduced to |
the others.
Never have l enjoyed dinner as 1 did |
that one. The repast was simple, the |
lining room cool and fragrant with flow |
ers, and the faces gathered about the |
snowy cloth radiant with happiness. |
Jean sat next to Madeline, and l saw !
that the mothers suspicious were well |
founded by the glances the young people |
exchanged. Well might she be content |
with her sons choice, thought I, for a |
'weeter, more womanly face 1 never saw |
han that of the young girl opposite me.
My three hours flew by, and 1 took |
cave of the family, thanking them heart |
ly for their kindness to me.
AS 1 walked along the road to the sta |
ion the stars were coming out in the |
pale sky and an utter peace seemed to |
descend over all nature, whose spirit per-
7aded my being. L felt refreshed,
by the atmosphere of fam
ly love in which 1 had so recently been
.nveloped.
"And they form but one of many" l |