The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-12-08
,elf in hand. with what dignity she ao-

self in hand, with what dignity she &C., cepted defeat. And with admiration came a surging back of his old boyish love. It had been hard for her, harder than Idella or her mother could ever un- derstand, and he glanced from one to the other with swift. invidious comparison.
 When they spoke about it again she said only: "She is not the woman l would have chosen for you, my son, but If she satisfies you, and you are sure 1t IS an everlasting love, will receive her as a daughter, and do my best"
 And Robert kissed her, feeling somehow less jubilant in this acquiescence than one would suppose.
 The next morning she followed him to the door.
 Robert. would you object to my asking Helen Marsh to visit me while am here? I half asked her when l thought we might go to housekeeping. It Is rather lonely for memo, do not misunderstand-l eX- pect you to spend your time with Idella. but 1t throws me back on myself more than is good for me. If I could have Helen for a month or so it would help me out"
 He hesitated. "No-o. I don't object only, well, mother" and the old defant expression came back, you may as well understand that I am not going to spend any time on Helen Marsh
 Certainly not. I expect you to spend your time with Idella. It Is right that you should I will explain the situation to Helen when I write"
 That is hardly necessary" he said, wincing as he thought of Helen Marshs ringing laugh; shell soon find 1t out, I suppose"
 In his heart he did not want her to come, but he had been eliminated from the case so neatly that he could hardly object
 Certainly And she will feel just as I do about your allegiance."
 He drowned. Like most men, he did not like essays on allegiance.
 That very day Mrs. Etheridge began her preparation. "I will fit up one room in this house that shall be a constant re- hinder of his old life," she thought as she sought Mrs. Skdmore.
 "Of course l let her do it," said that lady to her daughter. That room haint been papered since your pa died. Be- sides she offered to pay for it if I'd let her select it. Yes. you bet l did!'
 When that room was ready for the coming guest 1t presented a striking con trast to the plush-clad family photograph gallery below. Mrs. Etheridge had brought some dainty furnishings to Col orado, with the unspoken hope of the little housekeeping They found place and work to do of which she had not dreamed. As Robert Etheridge stood on the threshold he found old memories tugging at his heart.
 The faded carpet of yesterday had been consigned to some domestic limbo. and rugs covered the stained floor. Soft folds of Madras replaced the cheapest of Not tingham lace; familiar pictures-good ones-hung on the harmonlously colored walls books (not of the blue plush va riety) were everywhere abundant, and
 
 Sllidmore had remarked that for her part, with one instrument in the house-refer- ing to the wheezy cabinet organ-she couldn't see no use for another-furtner observing: "But let 'er go it, Idellyl All them things will be yours some day" and Idella, stimulated by the preparations up- stairs had gone into the manufacture of paper flowers for their own parlor.
 Do you like it, Rob?"
 His mother turned brightly from the mass of wild columbine she was ar ranging. He had just come from the' paper roses below.
 Like it? Why. 1t looks so like home, it actually makes me homesick.
 And her heart gave great throb.
 As she sank into the big, leather-cov- cred chair that had been bought as his special trap Idela appeared with blue plush rocker in tow.
 "We can spare you this Your things looks kinder dngy and this will brighten 'em up. Don't you want some paper fiowers?'
 'Heavensl No." cried Robert. Cant you see"
 "Robert.''
 When Idella, with head up, had with drawn his mother remonstrated. "They meant it kindly. You will have to be very careful about such things, my son. Into the cultured surroundings of this room Helen Marsh fitted like hand in a glove. Robert could not help seeing this when, after constrained, awkward hour, Idella left them and they felt the relief. He had opposed her being brought in, but his mother had said firmly: "She is your bettrothed wife Robert. want to show her every courtesy that l would if-ff she were different. I shall not be- gin by shutting her out from anything"
 So Idella had come in wearing her tea gown, the newest thing she had. looking a very Venus for beauty and q Sphinx for dumbness. And yet Mrs. Etheridge tried hard to introduce her into the con versation.
 That Marsh girl aint very pretty Idella said deprecatingly to Robert when he came down to her, and he replied haif angrily: 'Idella why don't you try to talk?''
 'she don't know any of the people here