The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1900-07-26

locket, fastened by a slender gold
chain. She opened it, showing him a
picture of himself.
1t is the portrait you gave Tom,
before before
u know know" whispered Tom,
huskily 1T means that-that you
are still faithful"
"As always, dear friend
And l, said Tom.
He seized her hand and kissed it
once, twice, thrice. Then she floated
away down the great hallway-and he
returned 10 his seat.
1t was not a long service. Dick
Morglinton's virtues had not been
many, and the rooms were cold. Tom
followed in the line that passed, ac-
cording to custom. about the coffin,
and there were tears in his eyes as he
looked upon the dissipation-marlled
face of the dead man-tears of sor-
row for what had been and what
might have perhaps, for what
might yet be.
He returned from the cemetery in
excellent spirits, albeit the cold had
nearly reached his marrow.
Here l am, mother" he cried. as he
opened the door; pretty stiff, but
still wigglin'"
Were there many out?" inquired
his mother. She was putting the din
ner on to the table.
Quite sprinklin', but mighty few
of 'em went to the graveyard. Hon.
est, if my whiskers had been any
other color 1 think they'd have froze
and snapped off up there"
1T must have been terrible hard on
Maria"
Yes, / reckon it must" He looked
searchingly into the old lady's face.
Mother, you said the otner day that
you'd be happier if 1 were married,
and had somebody to keep the home
goin' if-when-"
when 1 am gone" The old lady
spoke eagerly. Yes, Thomas, l did
And it's so. I amt long for this
world, dear boy I was So last June
hate to think of leavin' you here all
alone. But why? What's put the no.
ton into your head so sudden? You
amt"
"No, I amt. Only I was thinllin
that you mustn't let your mind dwell
on such things, mother. You're young.
er now than plenty of women who
haven't lived half the years. That's
all, mother
At the corner store that afternoon
he told cold-weather stories and
cracked jokes, while he nursed his
frozen nose and ears. But that night
after his mother had gone to bed, he
sat long before the fire, with letter
"a letter yellowed by age-in his
hand, reading and rereading.
Dearest Tom" it said, Il have been
thinking'of what you said last night
of staying by your mother. 1t does
you credit-yes, it is noble in you, but
dear, it hurts. 1 am not so good as
you. My parents are not so fortu.
nate in their child as your mother is
in you. Sometimes feel that could
defy the whole world, if by so doing
I could take you to myself-alone
But in my soberer moments l can see
that such thoughts are foolish. J
must do as father wishes, l presume
and sacrifice myself. 1t is hard-O, sc
hard-to marry one whom L neither
love nor respect. Perhaps, some
| time"
The letter ended at this point in a
great blot.
Perhaps - some time" repeated
Tom, slowly, wiping his eyes, per
haps-some time. She felt she had tc
break away from me, poor girl. She
couldn't help it. Her folks were crue
hard. I'm glad 1 told her the lie
about stickin' by mother; it sort Of
made it easier for her"
He pushed his chair back from the
fire and glanced at the door of his
mothers room.
TITS been for the best, I s'pose," he
murmured. 'Mother'd been alone else
or if she hadn't been alone maybe she
and Maria wouldn't have hitched
But, perhaps-some time
He raised his face and drew long
breath. Then glad look came into
his eyes.
Seems to me it's gettin' warmer
he said-PhiladelDhia Press