Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1901-10-18
The Return
OF Mary.
q VI. &. ROSE.

AaN ~ N1N hNAWNAh hAAA Nh NnE
early twilight when Mary Hamerton
opened the little garden gate and wont
swiftly down the path to her fathers
house. How familiar everything look
ed! How few changes 10 years had
wrought No doubt the greatest change
was to confront her within the old
home. She slipped through the I'M
locked doorway into the kitchen. There
was a young woman there, a young
woman who looked up with startled
eyes when Mary entered. But Mary
explained Ler presence In a few words,
aud the young woman. whose heart
was tender, listened with n suspicion
OF tears IN her Eyes and gladly second
ed her suggestions. And Mary learned
That the young woman was the daugh-
ter Of a nelghboring farmer. who had
come over 70 care for Gilbert Blair and
bis home. No: the old man was not. as
Mary had feared, in fuillng health. He
was feeble. Il was true. and kept to his
chair aud his reading more, but he was
not ~ Yes. he was In the sitting room
now In the old rocker by the fireplace.
In young woman had Just liked tIe
inrp for him. and he had taken up his
book Would Mary go to hin now7
No. Mary would wait n little.
AZ she looked about the familiar
room memories rushed upon her that
fllrd her eyes with tears-the gentle
wnthrr who had passed away when she
needed n mother most; the aunt whose
r'el rule had imhlttered the child's
lie, the father whose iron win had
found in her u will fully as strong and
Whose harsh words had driven her
irwin his door and into the great world
hrvuud Perhaps she had beer wrong
t. brave him MS she did. but her soul
rplt"llrd against The narrow limits of
her lie in the duh little hamlet. She
wanted knowledge; she wanted society,
There had been n wordy strife, and she
had gone forth.
Later on. when she had established
heySrif in thP city by the lake and tht
rr1"l dnvs Of the enrly struggle seemed
passed. she had writtea to him, but he
had not answered She wrote again
Her letter was returned. He was very
hard and very un~forgiving. Occasion
ally she heard OF him In indirect ways
Once she met n man from the neigh
borhood. and he told her that her IA
tlrr never spoke OF her and never per
United her name to be mentioned II
his hearing
And so the years passed. 10 Of them
and Then a great longing to see her IA
Their came TO her. 1t caIne to her afte
the death OF her child. And SO shI
was here.
Mary put q huge apron over her trav
cling dress and went to work. ShI
hnh not forgotten her cunning. TIL
abiding places Of the dishes came bacl
To her: the recipes OF long ago wer,
swiftly recalled. The young woma
watched her quick movements witt
Fascinated eyes. Mary wanted to pre-
pare the evening meal alone, and sh
had her way
Presently she glanced a little anx
iously NJ the clock. Then she smOothel
down her apron and went forward I
the sitting room door. The old ma
did not hear her approach. She locke
M him a moment before she spoke. No
he was not greatly chnnged-graye
and thinner: that was all.
Father" she said.
He looked around.
"why. It's Mary" he said. 81 wa
just dreaming OF you. I had fallel
asleep. SO you have come backr'
Mary did not move from the door
way
YES" she said. 81 have come back.
A whimsical smile luttered across he
facp 10 you want wheat cakes 70
supper tonight. faiher2'
The old man stared a little. The
he nodded and turned and looked close
NJ his prodigal daughter. But she di
not wait for him TO speak.
VERY we'll" she said and vanished.
She laughed as she came back to th
Kitchen There was a suspicion OF sad
ness IN her merriment. but she noddeI
ns II satisfied with her reception.
III * the right way" she said.
She was busy with her cakes when
slight noise In the doorway drew he
Hticution She turned and saw be
father looking az her.
~ dreamed just now that you cam
10 me and said you had come back,
hp cried IN a %Querulou1 tone.
Eyes. | have come back" returnet
Mary as she bent again over he
cakes.
"It's really you. Mary. Is 1T"
yes"
Muttering softly to himself. the Of
man turned from the doorway IN
sought his accustomed place by "a
hreside.
A. be seated himself a SMILE crer
over his features. II was a smile Q
triumph
When Mary bad the meal quit
rady she left Affairs 10 charge Of ID
Young woman and sought her father.
40 looked mp as she paused 10 th
way He had been nOdding at ID
Tne smile OF triumph stu III
slied on nla wrtnkled face-
30 you've come back. MayT b