Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-10-20

| years ana years Oh lie DN1bEE htA hNN
she did love John so, and might have
made him so happy, if it had not been
for this
And If she loved John, did not his
mother love him, too? And how she
must love him-that quiet, undemon-
stratiye woman, whose feelings ran
deep. And there was grandma, whose
life was torn up by the roots in her old
/ age-and 1t is so hard for old roots TO
set themselves in new soil. And-why,
that was what had happened to Johns
mother, too-her life had been torn up
/ by the Tootsi
When Ellie arose she had forgotten
herself and her griefs. She was think
ing of two lonely old women down
stairs, the width of the dining room
between them, each breeding over her
own sorrow
Never mind about me- Ellie was
saying to herself, as she bathed away
the tears from her eyes, 4 will try 10
make them happy"
When she came down. after little,
she was Juggling large white sack,
stuffed to bursting.
Look what l found In the closet in
my room. grandma! she cried, cheer
lily. "All this sack of Ceraps!"
Those are for the rag-man, said
Johns mother, briefly Perhaps she
had been thinking. too, for her voice
had lost a little Of its coldness.
Grandma was already lingering the
scraps wistfully.
They'd make mighty pretty quilt,
she said. Il used to make quilts all
the time-scraps Of The childrens
clothes, from their baby-clothes on up.
Ellie don't know anything about IT,
That was before her day They've sort
o. gone out Of fashion now"
She had spoken rather at than to
Johns mother, as though with a timid
little desire to conciliate her
How I'd like to have one Of those
old quilts!" cried Ellie, with tender in
terest. Made with scraps Of my old
dresses, grandma-and maybe some Of
Johns baby dresses, Inother-and a
piece Of my wedding dress right in the
middle That would be something
John and | could keep always
These nd make a mighty nice nine
piece, said grandma refiectiyely She
was still regarding the ODDS and en1s
of cloth that lay across her lap.
Johns mother had approached in
sensibly.
4 used to make quilts" she said,
with something that was almost like
softness in her voice 1T was years
ago-I knew them all-N.Ee- Piece and
Irish Chain and Chariot Wheel and
Bloom-and ! could find
scraps Of Johns little clothes. I'll show
you some Of his little dresses, Elinor-
you'd never think he was ever that
small, looking at him now"
Ellie's arms were around her-the
pretty young face was laughing tear
fully up at her The very idea Of see
ing Johns cunning little baby clothes! |
And ii was Johns mother who had |
kept them all these years!
1--WE could do the quilting in Johns
old playroom Ibis mother was melt
Ing more and more-"I haven't had /
much time TO sew. Maybe it'll help |
me TO sit down a little"
I'D like to make quilts again" said
old Mrs. Vedder, looking up wistfully |
over her glasses.
Mrs Mayfield had arisen to go on
some errand. but she sat down again.
ELLIE" she said, III you'll look in
he machine drawers you'll find
needles and thimbles and things-and
bring the gold thimble for your grand
ma. John gave that to me when he /
was II years old )"
Ellie's face was aglow with delight
Il am so glad that john loves his /
she cried from her heart,
And then Johns mother surrendered |
he last trace Of the GOODNESS and hard
hess she had kept in store
Johns always been a good son to |
nc. my dear" she said: "and boy
hats done that can't help making a
good husband. Hand me that piece OF /
Ellie. and your grandma
an cut a pattern for both of us to go
,y"