The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-03-31


THE AIR was growing chill in
the early twilight when Mary
Hammerton opened the little gar
den gate and Went swiftly down the
path to her fathers house How famil-
lar everything looked. How few
changes fifteen years had wrought No
doubt the greatest change was to con-
front her within the old home. She,
slipped through the unlocked 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 her
presence in a few words. and the young
woman, whose heart was tender. list
ened with a suspicion of tears in her
eyes and gladly seconded her sugges-
lions. And Mary learned that the
young woman was the daughter of d
neighboring farmer, who had come over
to care Tor Gilbert Blair and his home.
No, the old man was not as Mary had
feared, in failing health. He was fee
BILE, it was true, and kept TO his chair
and his reading more. but he was not
i'll. Yes. he WAS in the sitting room
The young woman had just fixed the
lamp for him and he had taken up his
book. Would Mary go TO him now?
Nc, Mary would wait a little.
room memories rushed upon her that
filled her eyes with tears. The gentle
mother who had passed away when
she needed "a mother most. the aunt
whose rigid rule had eI1bittered the
child's life; the fal1er whose iron will
had found in her a will fully as strong.
and whose harsh words had driven her
from his door and into the great world
beyond. Perhaps she had been wrong
to brave him as she did. but her soul
rebelled against the narrow limits of
her life in the dun little hamlet; she
wanted knowledge, she wanted society.
There had been a worldly strife. and she
had gone forth.
Later on. when She had established
herself in the city by the lake, and the
cruel days of the early struggle seemed
passed, she had written to him. but he
had not answered. She wrote again
Her letter was returned. He was very
hard and very unforgiving. Occasion
ally she heard OF him in Indirect ways
Once she met ii man from the neigh
borhoOd, and he told her that her faith
er never spoke of her and never per
mitted her name to be mentioned in
his hearing.
And so the years passed, fifteen Of
them and then a great longing to see
her father came to her, II came to her
after the death of her child And so
she was here.
Mary put q huge apron over her trav-
cling dress and went to work She
had not forgotten her cunning. The
biding places of-the dishes came back
to her. The recipes of long ago were
swiftly recalled. The young woman
watched her quick movements with
fascinated eyes. Mary wanted to pre-
pare the evening meal alone, and she
had her way.
Presently she glanced little anx-
iously at the clock Then she smoothed
down her apron and went forward to
the sitting room door, The old man
did not hear her approach. She looked
at rim a moment before she spoke.
NO, he was not greatly changed. Gray
CT and thinner, that was all.
Father she said.
He looked around.
Why, it's Mary" he said Il was
just dreaming of you. I had fallen
asleep. So you have come back?"
Mary dii not move from the doorway
Yes, She said, 4 have come
back whimsical smile ffuttered
cakes for supper tonight, father2"
The old man started little. Then he
! nodded and turned and looked closer al
his prodigal daughter. But she did not
wait for him to speak.
Very we'll. she said, and vanished
She laughed as she came back TO the
! Kitchen. There was "A suspicion of sad.
ness in her merriment. but she nodded
as il satisfied with her reception.
1T is the right way" she said
one WAS pussy WIN ne1 cakes Wne0 4
slight noise IN the doorway drew her
attention. She turned and saw her
father looking at her
4 dreamed just now that you came
to me and said YOU had come back, .
he cried, in querulOuS tone.
Yes, l have come back" returned
Mary, as she bent again over heI
, cakes.
IT'S really you, Mary, is it?"
Yea
Muttering softly to himself the old
man turned from the doorway and
sought his accustomed place by the
AS he seated himself smile crept
over his features, It was q smile OF
trium0h.
When Mary had she meal quite ready
she left affairs in charge of the young
woman and sought her father.
He looked uD as she paused in tine
doorway. He had been nodding at the
fire. The smile of triumph still fingered
on his wrinlSled face.
so you've come back, Nary" he
said again. as if he loved the sound OF
the words.
Yes. father
Il knew you would. cried the old
man, Il knew you would. told you
you'd be glad to come back
Il am glad to come back. father
The old man nodded as II with sat
isfacticn.
Its bitter world. Mary. A bitter
world for those that disobey. and rise
against their elders and fiaunt their
The world Is very much what we
make OF i. father"
And what have you made of it
Marv?P