Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1902-07-03

ing effect. Sne nad put on al her
scant 6nery, amplifying and beauti-
flying it with surprising success. She
even had flowers in her hair and a
little bunch at her belt. But best OF
all was the pretty light in her eyes
and the smiles that brought out for
gotten, unused dimples in her cheeks.
She was young for once in her life at
last-Mary Ann TOOker, 9years old.
Over her arm she had her mothers
best dress, freshly bedecked with lace
ruchings in neck and sleeves.
"Put it on, mother. Put it on
quick We mustn't lose minutes
This is Independence day"
All, the secret was out 1t was In
dependence day at Orr's Mills, at STRAIT
ford, the world over and in Mary
Tooker's soul.
Mrs. Tooker made feeble protest
81 hadn't ought to, Mary. 1t amt
right"
But Mary's fingers, smoothing the
thin, straight white hair, strayed out
to the wrinkled forehead and lightly
rested on it. Then Mary Ann ToOker
leaned over and kissed her mother.
Dear land alive Mary dressed her,
Mrs. Tooker meekly submitting now.
Mary fastened few flowers over her
mothers thin breast.
"There now mother, you look beau
tiful |" she said briskly. I'm going
to set you in the parlOr in the hair
cloth rocker out Of the sun. You're
my company"
"Mary-why, Mary
eyes, you're my company. I'm
going to open jar of preserves for
your supper and cut the fruit cake
hush, you needn't say word ! |
guess can entertain my own mother
on the Fourth of-on Independence
day." she corrected herself quickly.
81 guess SO I'm going to see if you
and cant celebrate too"
"But, Mary
81 was going to get bunch of fire.
crackers down to the store last night.
Yes, ! was Father didn't give me
any money, so I couldn't, and maybe
| shouldn't have dared to fire EN- of.
But fruit cake and preserves and our
best dressesll do"
She sat opposite her mother, stifiiy
upright on the slippery sofa. Her
face shone. Mother, / don't know
but this is the way it feels to be young.
| like it,
Her voice was wistful, earnest.
Her mother stopped rocking and
looked over into her face almost anx-
iously.
All at once Mary went to the win
dow.
There's John Tracy. mother, driv-
ing past, she said quietly. I'm 60
ing to invite him in to supper too"
"Mary-dear land-Mary
But Mary was gone. At the front
door she stood under the tangle OF
vines and called clearly: John !
John II
At supper they drank tea again
staidly out Of the best china teacups.
The fruit cake appealed in mute dis
appreciation to Mrs. Tooker, but she
took the second piece when Mary
pressed her unhinchiugly. What
would Adam say?
Adam Tookers day had been full
of unalloyed pleasure. He had had
SO long to think on the drive to town,
and perversely, persistently, the dis
joiDted fragments of Mary's last nights
talk with her mother had rung in bis
ears. He had heard them as be came
in from milking. He had heard them
all night. He was hearing them to-
day between the booms of cannon and
the sharp, intermittent pops Of the
boys frecrackers. They ran on in bis
mind with troublesome reiteration, al
ways in Mary's shrill, indignant voice
with it's wistful undertones.
Confound it Were they going to
spoil his whole day? Couldn't man
take bit of pleasuriug without being
pestered to death2
The day wore on slowly to Adam
Tooker, however fast and Joyous to
the bau6y faced families around him
taking their holiday together
Boom Boom Was it that, or was
it the jolt and stir Of fhurrying feet and
the clatter Of high, excited voices that
Jared from its sheath Of selfshDess
the core of human tenderness en-
tombed in Adam Tooksr's soul7 Or
was it the echo of Mary's voice crying
out brayely to him7