The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-08


 Rob?"
 Mrs. Etheridge drew within herself as swiftly and silently as a turtle whose outstretched head discovers, within un- comfortable distance, an alien to his kind. She felt convinced of over effusiye- ness. He had probably paid his boardi Rob indeedi
 In her room she took herself to task What did she expect? Robert had told her they were plain. In her heart she was protesting. "She is not just plain plainness can be forgiven. She is vulgar and-familiar"
 At supper she met the daughter, who came fin after they were seated. She wore a sweeping tea gown trimmed with cheap lace Mrs. Etheridge had seldom seen more radiantly beautiful face.
 Miss Skidmore, Mis- Etheridge," pro- nounced the mother, and Miss Skidmore responded in the family formula, Pleased to know you" adding succinctly in an aside to Robert, who greeted the smart gown with low whistle, "Oh, shut up!"
 Mrs. Etheridge's spirits dropped to zero during that meal. Was this the atmos- phere that Robert had been in for four years?
 What do you think of the girl?' he asked when they were up stairs
 "She is beautiful" his mother ex- claimed, enthusiastically. "The most perfect features and coloring ever saw!'
 His face glowed.
 But, Robert, her manners are atro- cious! Why, she talked in an undertone to you half the time"
 ''Of course, she hasn't had any ad- vantages," he said apologetically.
 ''I should think noti" Then she proceed ed to unpack.
 "I've brought some of the new books with me, Rob. I'm looking forward to our reading together this winter"
 ''It will be nice," he said. But he did not ask what the books were. And here are the chess men. DO you enjoy chess as much as ever?" Haven't had a game since I've been here"
 "You haven't? Well, we'll have one tonight"
 He looked uneasy. I'm afraid I can't tonight. I promised to go to party be- fore I knew you were coming. I'm aw- fully sorry. I really couldn't get out Of it.'
 Why, that's all right" she said. "I shant be lonesome. Do you take young lady?'-with interest. His friends were always hers.
 "Yes." He tried tn look indifferent, but he was watching .her closely. Miss Skidmore.''
 "Oh-h.'
 She was hanging up a dress skirt. She pinned the band together, carefully match ing loops, then undid it and pinned it again, smoothing out the folds after it was on the hook Do you take her out often?"
 Her tone was very even and quiet
 'No, not very. I don't go to parties much"
 'Is she received, in the best society here?' Her voice seemed to cut the air
 q don't know. Yes-I guess so-if there is any best This party is at the hall"
 "Oh-h!'
 When they went off, Mrs Etheridge stood at the window and watched them The moonlight flooded the valley. It brought out the mountains in bold relief against the blue Colorado sky. She look ed at them long time. Then she drew : a labored breath. Strange" she mur- mured, how these mountains settle down on one,"
 The days that followed were an hourly crucifixion to her. She had not been in the house twenty-four hours before she knew there was something between Idella Skidmore and her son. What it was she could only conjecture, but when conjec- ture is turned loose in jealous woman's soul it is a ravening wolf, rending at every turn. She had little to base 1t on. She had seen them one day in the hall as she stood on the landing above. He was holding her hands and talking in a low tone. They had not seen her. She went into her room and sat down weakly. Robert! Robert! As the days passed she was torn by conflicting emotions One hour she would say, Ut is only my foolshs simagination the next, she would wiring her hands and whisper, 70 God!' Does this seem melodramatic? Remem- ber-he was her only child, the light of her eyes, the hope of years. She knew 4I.at , I,atxrr was it meant the blighting of his life or the undoing of the girls. She came upon them one morning on the street-an hour after he had gone to his work pleading hurry. They started when they saw her. She made some cas- ual remark and passed on, the several devils of jealousy tearing her soul She would end this tonight She would know the truth!
 when they were alone that evening she unfolded a plan for housekeeping. She had thought cut every detail. A woman of no mean executive ability was Mrs. Etheridge, and the stakes were high. He listened in silence. Then he said: Mother it wouldn't pay to go to house. keeping for the little time you will be here ''
 It hurt her cruelty. There was no req son why she should not be here always if he wanted her. Then she laid pride too, on the altar. 'T don't want to teach again, Bob. I'd rather have the little housekeeping we've planned so long" She laid her head on his shoulder-all woman uow. She had been father and mother both so long! 'I don't see how we can manage it. mother, he said, weakly 'Im afraid we'll have to give up the little house. keeping 5 Her sacrifice had been re- jected.
 I'm a good deal troubled about my busihess,' he continued. "The mine shuts down soon-so it's rumored." Mrs. Etheridge sat up and thought rap- idly. This calamity might prove a door of escape
 "Oh, Robert" she cried, Tets go away" "Fve had an offer here," he began ten tatively.
 with another company?' "No. To go into business What business?' "The grocery business. There was silence in the room for the space of a mnute-slence that might be felt Then Mrs. Etheridge spoke with incisive distinctness. Do you mean to tell me that you think fession-a profession that cost you four years of your life (she did not mention her own sacrIfices)-"for one reverse and "a grocery store?' "Oh, we'll" he said sulkily Che felt that he had been called names-coward dolt, poltroon) "a mans got to live. And with silver down to- "Who made you this offer?' John Skidmore, Mrs Skidmore's son." Robert" she said suddenly and with out relevance, do you care for the girl?'