Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1907-11-08
GEOFFREY'S MOTHER
BY ALLISON FINLEY
Copyright. by Daily Story Pub. Coz

spoke less than ever. He expected her,
she knew, to appear with him in pub
lie, and she did so tirelessly.
She was tired tonight, however, c1
her return homo. While waiting in the
hall for a moment she had heard a
mans voice saying, THE Beauty is
handsomer than ever, by Jove, and
cai ries herself better and better. She
made a good bargain when she mar
ried Darragh."
He made just as good a one," said
another man, 'he got the handsomest
woman of the season; he knew she
only wanted his money; he gave 1t to
her and she has given him son, so
guess they're quits"
Yes, but men get tired OF icebergs
| and Darragh's only human" and the
voice died away.
"Only human" she thought, and
held her head higher; she could not,
she knew, play the role of the desert
ed wife. She must do something II
only for Geoffrey's sake, he must hear
nothing more.
The next evening when she went to
bid him good night, she found her
husband there before her. Coming
along the hall, she could hear the boy
gravely telling him about the hand.
kerchief and explaining it to him.
Smell it, father, just smell it,
wouldn't you like one too?"
Yes, son. father would like one"
We'll, we'll tell mother when she
comes. Mother, father wants smelly
handkerchief like NINE"
Mrs. Darragh's eyes met her hus.
bands. do you?" she asked coldly.
He bowed and held out his hand for
the bit of lace she put into it.
Now, kiss me good night, mother
That's it. Now, kiss father, too"
Humoring him she bent over. mot
on his face mother, on his mouf where
you kiss me. Isn't it nice, father, isn't
it nice?"
Eyes, Geoffrey, good night, must
] CO." The mans voice was cold. He
was struggling to regain himself and
seemed sterner than ever.
"Geoffrey, do you love your mother
very, very much?" Mrs. Darragh
asked him, and there were tears in
her eyes.
Yes, mother, yes, very much, and
father very much, too. You smell just
as good as ever
Her fears were groundless,' she
thought, as she laid him down. He
noticed nothing; he was too little an6
had already forgotten his question oi
the night before.
On her way down stairs, she passed
the library door. A reflection in mir
ror made her pause breathless. Oar
ragh was sitting in chair, holding
her handkerchief out before him. Al
she looked, he crushed it in his hand
then let it fall on the table in from
of him and, with sob, put his head
down and buried his face in it. The
faint odor of the violets reached her
She stole quietly away with wet eyes
and great joy in her heart.
Two hours later a knock came a
the door of her dressing room ant
her husband entered
81 have brought you your handker
the boy, Edith" he laid it down on the
dressing table and turned to go.
She leaned forward little and sait
softly, John, would you like to keel
it?"
He started violently and turned
toward her again. She wondered tha
she had ever thought his eyes stern
Yes" he whispered.
You can have it, if" she falter
ed, all her pride gone.
Darragh gazed at her. scarcely be
lieving his eyes. "Yes?" he said agaiI
hoarsely.
IF you'll take me with it." she mur
INJURED.
His arms went round her. Edith
Edith, do you love me?" And as sh'
lifted her face to his. Sweetheart
sweetheart"
Later they went together to Geof
frey's room. He was lying on his side
one arm over his head. and under hi
cheek, the little handkerchief.
His mother kissed him gently ant
whispered. Dear little boy. dear httl'
boy"
HE guards his treasure WE'LL sait
the father softly, lust as 1 will guarc
mine"
Mrs. Darragh said nothing, but will
tears in her eyes, went into the arm
held out to her.
Why He Sang.