Abilene weekly reflector., 1902-09-18
BECAUSE NE LOVED HER 50

H@0A N4nueflng0 mother W.
one Of the sweetest Nttle women imag
Unable. and one ceuld but wonder VIII!
she was Able to exercise 20 little ilflu
ence over her cherished son. Not tha
be was lscking in filial affection or re
spect and esteem. But be failed d
carry out bis parents desire to devotI
plenty Of time to study, to equip him
oelf thoroughly to battle with life'l
difficult problems. "
Time and again had h. been repri
manded. In - gentlea manner a. pos
dble, II b true, about bis shortcom
ings In this respect, but with display
Of endearng affection he laughed bill
mothers fears away, and then thu
matter would be dropped for the time
being.
Tutors had been engaged, but left
In disgust having accomplished moth.
Ing In the way Of instilling learning In
young Harold's head, which was filled
with much natural intelligence, II he
would but exert sufficient energy ia
do a little earnest studying.
As a last resort Mrs. Mannering de-
cided to try an experiment, having
thought out a clever Idea, which
seemed just suited to this particular
case, and caused her many laugh in
the privacy Of her apartments.
Some time after this, Harold, who
was now nearing his twentieth year,
was informed that bis mother had
|. made up her mind to engage as com.
panlon young lady by the name Of
Ethel Grey, the daughter Of an old
friend Of hers, who until now had de-
voted her spare time to teaching, AZ
she was In straitened circumstances
and was eager to accept this new 20
sition as less arduous and more agree
able and lucrative.
Harold expressed his delight by
saying: "Oh, mother, how jolly! Now
can borrow Miss Grey occasionally.
10 she can help amuse me, for l am
tired Of doing that for myself"
To which Mrs. Mannering replied:
"Oh, fe, one would think she Is com.
ing here for your sole benefit, you
spoiled boy" at the same time wink.
ing slyly at Mr.. Mannering, whQ
shared her secret ~
Shortly after Miss Grey had been
installed in her new position, Harold
was found to be much more studious,
and inquiry Of the former, who had
become acquainted with the facts in
the case, proved her a fine ally, as she
had positively refused to accompany
Harold anywhere or devote any time
at all to him unless be was willing
that they study together, and finally,
in self-defense, he agreed to her
plans.
To Mr.. and Mrs. Mannering's great
joy the change IN their son was soon
apparent to all who met him fire.
quently, and much commented upon,
so that when Harold approached
them a year later they were well pre-
pared and eager for the glad tidings
he had in store for them, which came
about In this way.
Miss Grey, or rather Ethel as Har-
old now took pleasure in calling her,
said to him one day, as had been
agreed upon by the trio: II shall soon
be far away; your mother no longer
needs me, and as you are competent
to enter college now, you, also, have
no further use for my services, which
have been solicited elsewhere, and
though Il regret exceedingly to leave
you ALL who have been such good and
true friends to me, that. Is my only
course"
Vehemently Harold had interrupted
Ethel several times but had been re-
pulsed until she had had her say,when
he exclaimed impatlently Ethel. dear,
can you imagine for moment that |
would let you go? You, little one, who
have accomplished so much In teach
Ing me the past year? | desire to have
you take me as a pupil all your life.
While learning invaluable lessons
through your kind indulgence, have
succeeded in learning those of love al
30, than which no sweeter task exists;
and now, sweetheart, tell me, do
Plead in vain-and now that you have
aroused the noblest impulses within
me, that were apparently dormant,
would you run away without complet-
Ing your duty?" A dropping of Ethels
golden head was the sole answer, and
none other was needed, as looking in
to the eyes, now uplifted gently, her
lover read his answer there.
Entering their beautiful home, Har-
old went to his mothers boudoir, and,
taking Ethel's hand in his, exclaimed
"Oh, mother, dear, have
learned much from this dear little girl,
Of which | know you approve ana
have noticed with pleasure, but one
lesson have learned more thoroughly
than all others, and that Is the mean
Ing Of the verb to love. now only
ask my loved ones consent to our
marriage, which | feel have al
ready"
MY dear boy" exclaimed Mrs.
Mannerlng. Both Ethel and you
have received our blessing weeks ago,
when we noticed with the greatest de-
light your fondness for one another,