The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-17
'TWIXT GAME And SALAD
BY cICELY ALLEN.

The game course was Just being
removed when the first message was
delivered The butler whispered 1t
to Harrison. their host. and Har-
rison leaned toward young Grant
with the Il hate-to-a larm-y -but-be-
prepared for the worst air.
What he said was. Something wrong
up at your mothers. Harry. and they
want you at once"
The pretty girl on his left murmured.
'.I'm sorry" and tried to gather her
chiffon gown out OF the way OF his feet,
which had suddenly turned heavy as
lead. Murmurs OF conventional sym
pathy rippled the length OF the rose-iit
table.
Young Grant turned in the doorway.
The pretty girl-her name was Ethel
Merrifleld-w playing with her salad
fork, and he thought there was just q
trace of anxiety In her face Was 1t
for him and his? .
No. he remembered as he bowed grave
ly TO Mrs, Harrison and slipped through
tho curtainsAhis feet had become tam
gled in her frock. Doubtless. he had
ripped the fraI fabric into shreds.
While he was pulling on his TOP coat
the second call came. He went 70 the
telephone in person.
glad to have reached you. They've been
telephoning all over town for You. some
thing wrong with your mother.
''Wlat?'' demanded Grant sharply.
Cant say. but they seem on edge
ia get hold OF YOU
Young Grant hung up tho receiver
grabbed his hat from tho hands OF the
man servant and dashed down ~ g steps.
At tho next corner was q cabslhna, Lie
oireredathe jchu mn extra dollar 70 l1laho
extra time, and the cabby took him up.
They plunged through the black mist
OF the rainy, fall night. The hanson
swayed and banged merollessiy. INC
cabby was making good his promise
The door OF tho hanson swung smut
with a vicious bang and caught Grants
finger, He pulled it away with an M
definite realization of pain. hen there
came to him suddenly mental picture
of his mothers slender figure, arHlca
bottle in hand.
'ro be sure, there had been times when
lie had resented being "babSed, put
there was always comfort IN tllal l,nlas are;
"Brave little man. the tonic employed
after the bnding-up process was over,
He leaned forward to see inc name OF
tho next street lamp, and the WlndoW
OF the hanson blew In. the framework
striking him full In the face, IL was an
ugly blow, and again he saw the motheT5
OF his hoyhood days.
There had been a nlght--the memory
returned vividly at this moment-Wheh
his mother had sat by his side throusH
the grim watches Of midnight and me
cold pulseless hours of dawn. never, re-
laxing the divine grip OF motherhood oil
the little life he had tried to snuT Loul
at premature Fourth Of July celepraT
ton,
The hanson stopped with jerk thar
nearly threw him through the door. fie
sped mp the steps, and was still llolalhs
the electric button with a nervous nFes-
sure when the astonished MAID Threw
open the door.
He pushed her aside and ran INTO tlle
dimly lighted hall, on course ms sister
must eccnomize but at time llko ms
why didn't She
He paused and drew in his breath
sharply.
There, In the narrow circle Of lamp.
light. In the small drawing ROOM SAT
his mother. her hands clasped on the
cover Of new magazine, her white
hair. piled in stately puffs and draped
with the familiar mantilla Of spanish