Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-04-07

cd as she heard her lew acquaintance
~cautoning the man. "Bo careful,
young fellow. with that basket. It's
full OF home cookies and preserves for
my boy, John Pierce. Is nc here7s
Eve turned ana watched her. John
Pierce her SON! So this was the little
mother he had told her of-the mother
who had efaced herself that her son
might have his wishl
After dinner Eve sat on the porch
alone. Soon she became conscious Of
q couple pausing near. with a throb-
bling heart she recognized Pierce's
voice.
"Hilda," he was saying, surely, l
misunderstood you! You are angry"-
Angry. Endeedr' The answering
voice was well m%odulated, but there
was a hardness that robbed II OF pleas
ing. II persuaded mother to come
here In order to be with you. / sacrl-
feed a week at Newport and for
what7 To be shamed by that wom-
an
"Hildar' Plerce's voice n with
a new quality that compelled Miss
Chauncey to pause. Eve longed " slip
away, but It was impossible without
disclosing her presence. Besides the
others would no doubt resume their
walk. Pierce continued:
when you wrote me OF your coming
l did not expect my mother. Her APP
p%earance was a surprise. I've tried ut
times to persuade her to visit ne. but
hitherto she has seemed rooted TO the
soil. Now that she Is here / purpose
giving her the holiday Of her life"
what about mo7"
Your Dear girl, when you know my
mother you will forget her rough man
ner, as you forgave mine, and remem-
Der only her true heart. l made no Sc
cret Of my life or antecedents. l told
you all. BE kind! She will not trouble
you often. 1t is the first time in thirty
years that she has left the farm. But
on such occasions my wife must re-
member that she Is m mother"
absurd, John. l marry you, not your
family. You have ability, ambition; l,
position and money. l can help you. /
have aided you already" Eve shrank
farther into the shadow of her chair
and thrust her fingers to her ears. If
they would only go! Plerce's voice
came TO her as from n distance. LET us
end this unworthy discussion! / offer
you the service mud the devotion Of my
life. Do you accept the obligations of
my wife7"
"No, no, II 1t means lowering myself
to the association Of your family-no."
There is my mother-no one else"
You have my answer" Miss Chaun-
cey thrust n chair aside, and the swish
of her silken skirts trailed over the
porch. There was a silence, broken
presently by a mans sigh Of infinite re-
lief. Then came the sharp striking Of n
match, and by its light John Pierce and
Eve looked into each others face.
Pierce threw away his unllghted cigar
and blocked her path. "You heard
"Yes; l am sorry-she is angry now
tomorrow
Eve. tomorrow holds always the
promise Of something new. There is
no going back-I would not IL 1 could.
l must speak
Not now-not herel" Eve shrank q
little from him. 1T is late. l am leaV-
ing In the morning.
"You are right-not now. I am a
brute to have thought Of II. 1t won't
DO the same when you are gone, but It
is only for a week. Eve. l shall come
to you at your home. Give me a word
that l may hope
Eve raised her head, and her eyes
shone.
when you come, say what you will"
And she was gone.
Say what l Will" repeated Pierce
beneath his breath. And to think 1
had so nearly thrown away the right"