The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1907-08-23

er in that humble room, told what she
knew. She spoke of the ministers
Bible class, the young mems league
be had inaugurated, the sermons ht
preached, the souls he had converted
the calls be made, the friends he held
and his kindness to the sick and weak
and afflicted.
The old mother sat and listened
losing not a word. Her wrinkle6
hands were clasped together, her head
bent forward.
"It's just as | knew it would be-
she answered dreamily. "Malcolm
was always such blessing to bis
mother. And be writes me such let
ters and tells me how he longs to see
me. don't tell him how my heart
hungers for hint would grieve
him, so far away. My boy still, my
little boy that l used to rock to sleep
whose prayers l used to listen to-
Oh, if l could gather him in my arms
again! And to think my little lad is
out in the world helping people. Oh.
I am glad, like Hannah of old, that I
had him to give to the Lord. 1t is
all right, My the separation is hard.'
And then as she looked into the
strong, old face, with its lines of char
acter and kindness, the richest par
ishioner knew whence had come the
minister's religion and what goodly
Inheritance was his.
"Hew alike they are," she mused,
"and how | wish he might see her"
And then the thought came to her,
why not-why not.'
"Kate,' her husband had said to
her at parting an get tickets for
two this time, and then if anyone of
your friends want to came back with
you just bring her along"
"But there will be nobody" Ralph.
she answered, "at this season of the
year."
"Never mind" he had said. can
extra ticket won't come amiss, and
we can afford to be generous. "Take
it," And 80 the matter had ended.
Kate Percival thought of 1t now.
She thought, too, of the overworked
pastor with his growing brood, of the
salary not large enough for all their
needs, and of his look as he told her
of his mother-the deep love reflected
in the patient, spiritual face. Why
shouldn't people who have money use
it for those who have not?
"Mrs Mcdonald" she said sudden
ly, 81 have brought an extra ticket in
case l wanted to bring back a friend.
Aunt Katherine here won't use it,
and will-you? | am going on to my
journeys end, but in two weeks l
will be back to take you home with
me-"
The strong old face opposite sud.
denly melted into tears.
"Me!" she cried.
"Why not-you must see your sons
church and the parsonage and the
baby-and the son himself"
Kate Percival had risen and taken
hold of the wrinkled hand. "Yoa
will come, will you not?" she entreat-
ed gently, "for his sake-he loves you
so."
And so it came that the son who
could not 60 to see his mother had his
mother brought to him."
An Eastern train two weeks later
steamed into the little Western sta
ton. Among the passengers were
two people, one woman, young and
beautiful, with an older one, wrinkled
and white-haired, yet with command
ing grace and dignity all her own.
A man, tall and pale, with eager
eyes, was waiting. AS she came down
the steps of the car the old woman
saw him.
"Mother!" he cried, striding toward
her and folding her In his arms.
cob, mother, mother"
"My son." she whispered in chok
ed voice.
He dropped his head upon her
breast and the two stood quite still,
wrapped in each others arms. The
richest parishioner had turned away,
but the next moment the minister
grasped her by the hand.
"Let me thank you," he cried,
brokenly.
"Don't," she entreated, smilingly.
"Don't for if you do, warn you, |
shall"--and then the beautiful lips
uuivered. ~ have no mother, she
died two years ago. Can you not see
how pleas ed-wlat privilege |
deemed il to bring YOU VOurs!"