Smyrna times., 1901-07-17
The Return
Of Mary.
BY W. z. ROSE.

Tho air was growing chill In the
o.rlv twilight when Mary Hamerton
ononed the little garden gate and went
sriftlv down the path to her fathers
bouse How familiar everything look
odr How few changes 10 years had
,rouebt! No doubt the greatest change
,ros to confront her within the old
home. She slipped through the un-
lacked doorway into the kitchen. There
was a Young woman there, a young
woman who looked up with startled
ovas when Mary entered. But Mary
aynlained her presence in a few words,
and the young woman, whose heart
was tender, listened with a suspicion
Of tears in her eyes and gladly second
Cd her suggestions. And Mary learned
that the yclng woman was the daugh-
ter of a neighbOring farmer, who had
come over to care for Gilbert Blair and
his home. No; the old man was not, as
Mary had feared, in failing health. He
was feeble, 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
now in the old rocker by the fireplace.
The young woman had just fixed the
lamp for him, and he had taken up his
book. Would Mary go to him now?
No, Mary would wait II little.
As she looked about the familiar
room memories rushed upon her that
filed her eyes with tears-the gentle
mother who had passed away when she
needed a mother most; the aunt whose
rigid rule had imbittered the child's
life; the father 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 dull little hamlet. She
wanted knowledge; she wanted society.
There had been a wOrdy 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 a man from the neigh
bOrhoOd, and he told her that her ia
ther never spoke Of her and never per
mitted her name to be mentioned II
his hearing
And so the years passed, 10 of them
and then a great longing to see her fa
ther came to her. 1t came to her afte
the death Of her child. And so sh,
was here.
Mary put huge apron over her trav
cling dress and went to work. Sh
had not forgotten her cunning. Tn
abiding places Of the dishes came bacl
to her; the recipes Of long ago wer
swiftly recalled. The young woma
watched her quick movements wit
fascinated eyes. Mary wanted to pre-
pare the evening meal alone, and sh
had her way.
Presently she glanced a little any
iOusly at the clock. Then she smOOthc
down her apron and went forward
the sitting room door. The old ma
did not hear her approach. She locke
al him moment before she spoke. NJ
he was not greatly changed-grayC
and thinner; that was all.
Father" she said.
He looked around.
Why, it's Mary" he said. 81 wa
Just dreaming Of you. 1 had falle
asleep. So you have come back"
Mary did not move from the doc
way.
Yes" she said, 81 have come back
whimsical smile fluttered across b.
iace DO you want wheat cakes f
supper tonight, father?
Inc old man stared a little. The
ne nodded and turned and looked clos
a' his prodigal daughter. But she d
not wait for him to speak.
Very WELL" she said and vanished
she laughed as she came back to I
Ai'chen. There was a suspicion of sa
ness in her merrlment, but she nodd
os Il satisfied with her reception.
II Is the right way" she said.
one was busy with her cakes when
ansnt noise in the doorway drew t
i auehtlon. She turned and saw /
'alher looking at her.
dreamed just now that you cal
me and said you had come bacl
'e cried in a querulous tone.
les have come back" return
nary as she bent again over |
cakes.
''Yes."
huttering softly to himself, the
man turned from the doorway @
sought his accustomed place by
as he seated himself a smile or
vser . bis features. 1t was a smile
.. "nen Mary had the meal ql
auy' roy' she left affairs in charge of
Iuus u woman and sought her faith