Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1907-10-10

vi. NANtA ~ 'iNH Nf
arine caught a glimpse of her. Spring
ing forward. she caught her in a close
embrace.
There was a moments silence.
Then Mrs. Dillon held her sister at
arms length and carefully studied her
face. Mrs. DALEY was worn and wan,
she wore a faded but clean print
press. her sleeves were rolled up
above her elbows, and specks Of
-four chung TO her toll hardened hands.
Katherine pillon's keen eyes noted
the warm kitchen Then she glanced
at the three girls. What have you
been doing with your mother. girlies?
II is not only that she is warm and
tired. but what has brought this old
look? You are only 40, Margaret, and
should he a comparatively young
woman
The days went by. Mrs. billions
comfort and pleasure was so deity
ministered to that she could not be
grateful enough to the bright-faced
girls whom she was learning to love.
The only drawback to her enjoyment
was her disappointment regarding her
sister
What was wrong? Katherine did
not doubt her sisters love. But the
hours Of compauionship she had look.
ed forward to were few and unsatis'
factory. Mrs. DALEY spent the great.
est part of her time in the kitchen.
When not there, she was silent, her
daughters evidently not expecting her
to take part in the conversation She
seldom went into society, read little.
and was really behind the times.
Mrs. Dillon gave the matter much
thought. She saw that the girls were
much surprised when she expected
their mother to take her rightful
place both at home and in the society
Of the little place. 1t was not easy
to tell where the fault lay.
A month passed. September gave
place TO October and the air grew
crisp and i~nvigorating.
a week more" Mrs. Dillon an.
nounced one morning at the breakfast
table. "A week more Of pleasure.
Then W. must decide which of you
is to go with me. and ! must HE me
away TO Chicago to provide a suitable
outfit for myself and my companion
il was the first time she had direct.
~ mentioned the matter. The colo
deepeued in each girls cheeks, out
they made no reply. They had all
grown very fond of their aunt, and a
winter with her had many attractions.
The week that Mrs. Dillon had men
toned went by. They were again at
the breakfast table when the southern
trip was referred to.
u shall start on Thursday" Kath.
crime said. Now as to who is to go
with me"
She paused and reHectively stirred
her coffee. Girls. | hope you will
all be satisfied when ! tell you |
have decided to adopt your mother
No one spoke. The canary trilled
gayly, a passing wagon ratified along
the street, and Mrs. Dillon finished
her graham gem with apparent rel.
ish. Then she went on:
Il mean II, girls. | don't know
whose fault It is, but there is some,
thing wrong in your home. Instead OF
being your friend and ~confidante, in,
stead of being petted and care for.
instead OF enjoying the Indian summer
Of her life, your mother is a kitchen
drudge. More than this-she Is fast
approaching a broken.down and love
less old age. She may be as much
to blame as any one. | am going to
make q effort to bring sunshine into
her life. ! shall take her to Chicago
and purchase her a supply OF suitable
and dainty clothing Then | shall
carry her to the south for the winter
She shall rest, read, enjoy pretty
things and bright people, and be loveC
and petted. In the spring she shall
come back to you-if you deserve
her"
oh, Katherine, don't" cried tn,
mother. Il couldn't leave my girl
alone, and besides | would rather the!
should have the pleasure
Aunt Hester Main. my h~ousekeep
er, is TO come and spend the winte
, here was Katherine's cool reply
! About your going let the girls speaI
for themselves.
nobleuess Of Margaret Dailey's daugt
tiers asserted itself.
Beatrice arose and went round t
her aunt. We want her to 90. Than.
I you, Aunt Katherine, You have taugh
us a lesson. and W needed It,"
g Bernice added: We will try to d,
d serve her when she comes back
] Gladys caught her mother in he
g arms. Precious little mamma, W
do love you, event If we have been 5
careless
Mrs. Dillon's programme was ca
>. ried out, The lesson was, as Beatric
had said, a needed one; but, liz
d many such, the learning of 1t was NJ
pleasant. A quiet winter at HON
sharing the duties that had been tc
r. long relegated 10 the mother, contras
D. "a sharply with the pleasures eaC
had confidently expected for hersel
They missed and longed for the &c
tie presence they had so little prize
10 The mother and aunt, happy in eaC
I. blltT, S'| aHA4OuS i'l tuS itdl WI
K. fare Of the girls al home, knew tn
a womanly care for the happiness
4. others was being developed in the n
'ure Of Margaret Dailey's daughter
.r The reform was d thorough one.
the spring the mother went back
II he the real mistress Of her home al
the loved mother Of her proud dsug
teTs.