The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08
~GEOFFREY'S MOTHER
By ALLISON FINLEY
tcopyrisht. BIZ Daily Story Pub, Co,

~DE fTE T.N.e n-Hz U-l
In the last two years. she had learn.
ed much OF the innate goodness Of the
man she had married, ana now she
had found the tables turned upon her.
She had forfeited her husbands lore,
killed it by her GOODNESS and now 1t
was too late. He would never ask
again, and she was too proud to do
anything but regret her blindness.
She shivered slightly rs the car.
riage passed under a street lamp and
the light fell IN his stern, clean-cut
face. She vas wondering il he were
regretting his marriage; nothing he
did told her anything, except that he
was away from home a great deal and
spoke less than ever. He expected her,
she knew. to appear with him in pub.
lie, and she did so tireiessly.
She was tired tonight, however, on
her return home. While waiting in the
hall for 4 moment she had heard a
mans voice saying. THE Beauty Is
handsomer than ever, by Jove, and
carries 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 it to
her and she has given him a son, SO
guess they're quits
Yes, but men get tired of icebergs
and Darragh's only human
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 If
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
kerehief and explaining it to him.
Smell it, father. just smell it,
wouldn't you like one too?"
Eyes. son, father would like one"
well, we'll tell mother when she
comes. Mother, father wants a smelly
handkerchief like mine"
Mrs. Darragh's ey,s met her hus'
bands. do your 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?"
yes. Godfrey, good night, must
go" The mans voice was cold. He
was struggling to regain himself and
seemed sterner than ever.
"Geoffrey, do you love your mother
very, very muchT" 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 and
r had already forgotten his question OF
the night before.
, On her way down stairs, she passed
the library door. A reflection in a mir.
o made her pause breathless. Oar
ragh was sitting In a chair, holding
her handkerchief out before him. As
: she looked, he crushed 1t in his hand,
then let it fall on the table in front
of him and. with a sob, put his head
/, down and buried his face in 1t. The
t faint odor of the yiolets reached her
She stole quietly away with wet eyes
and a great joy in her heart.
Two hours later a knock came al
the door of her dressing room and
her husband entered.
Il have brought you your handker
chief, 1t was good of you to humoI
the boy, Edith" he laid it down on the
d dressing table and turned to go,
e She leaned forward a little and sale
Q softly, John, would you like to keeI
o it,"
He started violently and turned
|, toward her again. She wondered tina
q she had ever thought his eyes stern
Eyes" he whispered.
s "You can have it, If" she falter
ed, all her pride gone.
d Darragh gazed at her, scarcely be
d lieving his eyes. "Yes?' he said AGAR
hoarsely.
IF you'll take me with it," she muir
d INJURED.
n /. His arms went round her. Edith
. Edith, do you love me-" And as sh,
e lifted her face TO his, Sweetheart
IS sweetheart"
d Later they went together to Geoi
n frey's room. He was lying on his side
n one arm over his head. and under hi
d cheek, the little handkerchief.
His mother kissed him gently an
whispered, Dear little boy, dear littl'
e. boy.
g. @He guards his treasure WELL sal
,r the father softly. "just as will guar
mine
Mrs. Darragb said nothing, but witt
le tears in her eyes. went into the arm
held out to her.