The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1905-12-23

One cold night in December a carriage
stopped before house in the most select por-
ton of the most exclusive avenue in the city.
The footman, enveloped in a rich far cape,
opened the door as young man with elastic
step alghted. Looking back into the car.
riage, he said: "Wrap your furs we'll around
you, mother. 1t is bitter cold" Extending
his hand he assisted handsome woman from
the vehicle and carefully helped her over the
icy pavement and up the marble steps till
safely within the welcome glow Of the hall
lamp The warmth of the house, contrasting
with the bitter weather outside, sent smile
Of appreciation to the face of the young man,
and his eyes were bright with some hidden
thoueat as he handed his coat and hat to the
waiting butler.
"Come s:nto the back room, Harold" OBJ.
served the Sady "It is smaller and warmer.
l told James IS serve supper for US there"
Entering u1osaent later in the softened
light Of this charming room, Harold was
struck by the wonderful beauty of his mother,
then just in the prime Of life. She had re.
moved her wraps and stood in the mellow
light of the ruby lamps and the glow of the
gas logs. Her rich dress OF black velvet
adorned with lace and diamonds seemed to
set off her commanding figure and increase
her matronly beauty. She bore the staHsp er
the aristocrat and degree of dignity which
made it impossible for even her most intimate
acquaintance to forget that she was the lead
er of her set. CHANGING up from the gas logs
over which she was warming her hands, she
caught the look of admiration in the eyes of
her son and smiled, thereby illuminating a
countenance otherwise little austere.
well, my son. holding out her hand,
4'have [ hypnotized you ?''
Harold advanced eagerly and, taking both
i.s. hands in his, exclaimed: "You are a
queen among women, mother You are so
beautiful tonight! Won't you be kind as you
are beautiful and crown my happiness with
your cousentY
A look OF cold displeasure swept over her
face, and Mrs. Chesney slowly withdrew her
hands from the clasp of her son. Drawing
herself to her fGll height, she crossed to the
opposite side of the room. In a voice almost
hard with pride and dignity she said:
81 thought had made myself clear to you,
my SON.
The eager face of the suppiant was clouded
as he looked at his mother, bat with gentle
voice he urged
Mother, love knows no such barrier. Ahne
and 1 can only be happy as husband and
wife? l do not wish to wound you or to
marry without your consent.
That you will never get. No social in
ferior will ever be welcome as my daughter"
"You have no daughter now, mother.
Would you not like one to cheer you in your
cstd age p
A sudden spasm of pain crossed the face of
this cold woman for moment, rendering 1t
almost haggared in its misery, as she remem.
bered the one passion of her life, her little
dead Helen, whose four short years had alb
sorbed the heart of the mother, now deaf to
the pleading of her only living child.
Harold Chesuey was bitterly grieved at his
mothers attitaSe. but never for moment did
he waver in his loyalty to the woman he loved.
schooIteacher whose ministrations in the
church among the poor had won the admlra-
ton of MANY. His mother was narrow in her
views of class distinction and was determined
in her opposition to this marriage. Seeing
that all effort to induce her to sanction the
step he meant to take would be useless, he
rose as though about to CO.
"I am very sorry, mother" he said, 'but
YOU leave me no choice. l must fulfill my
promise. Tomorrow l marry the woman to
whom am pledged, aud had at least hoped
for your blessing"
"Never communicate with me again after
you take such step?" was the passionate re-
tort. II have no son from that moment"
Just as the sound of the closing door came
to the ears of this stern woman midnight
chimed from the clock in the hall, and slowly
she sank into chair with sort of shiver.
She had forgotten the day. Simultaneously
with the last stroke of II the butler entered to
C. ose up for the night and respectfully said:
at is Christmas morning, ma'am. May 1
wIssh you happy day
~'Thank you, James. You may go now. l
wilt put out the light.
Alone, the naughty, seemingly heartless
woman dropped her mask and. burying her
face in the cushions, gave way to bitter grief.
When at last she arose her face was aged as if
by years. Stretching her arms toward the
portrait of beautiful child, she cried. "Oh,
my little darling. why did you leave me alone?