The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1907-11-08

The night lamp was iuIneu low IN
The nursery and cast soft shadows on
the rosebud walls, Everything spoke
Of preparation for the night, even the
Teddy" bear beside the little boy In
the bed in the corner, seemed to be
sleeping and. yet the small owner of
it all was awake, staring patiently
no at the ceiling. Godfrey was wait
ing for his mother.
Each bedtime, after he was snug
in bed and his nurse had everything
arranged for the night, he lay there,
antil his mother, coming to him in
her pretty gowns, gave her little boy
his goodnight kiss.
And she never disappointed him.
He was a big boy now, almost half
past four and, tonight, lying on his
back, he was listening eagerly for his
sweetheart. 1t was his mothers pet
name for him, and he had also adopt.
ed it. He was waiting expectantly for
The sweet, beautiful mother, who
would come to him. and, after hug
ging and kissing him, would tuck him
in and leave him glowing with her
visit.
Suddenly he heard her light, quick
step in the hall and the delicate frou
frou of her silken petticoats thrilled
him d~eliciously. Now Godfrey was in
his mothers arms and she was whis-
pering to him in a tender, little way
she had.
Tonight she looked at him careful
" after she let him go. She was radi-
ant in some soft clinging gown and
the jewels, on her throat, glistened as
she turned toward him. She was eyi.
IDENTIFY going to one of her evening
parties.
Godfrey looked at her adoringly
and, seeing it in his eyes, she put her
arms around him and drew him close
10 her.
Mother, mother, how beautiful you
are, and, oh, how good you always
SMELL" he said, as he buried his nose
in her throat. Il can smell it long
after you 60"
She laughed softly, DO you like it,
sweetheart, it's. yiolets, mother loves
them
mo, no, It isn't %violets. it's you aid
1t makes me sleep better. | wish
could smell it always"
Il must so now. dearest, here is
mothers 'hankie,' put it under your
cheek and go bye.bye."
She was turning to go, when Geot
frey looking at her, burst out, Moth
er. have you only money!
Why, Godfrey boy. what do You
mean?"
Il heard cook tell James that you
took father for his money and, thai
that was all you had gotten. What Is
taking anybody, mother?"
She was gazing at him with some
thing in her eyes he had pever seer
before. "Geoffrey dear, 1t is nothing
nothing"
"But, have you, mother, have yot
only money!"
She looked at him and she looked
lust as he felt before he cried; only
ne remembered "grown.ups' nevel
cried. IL have you dear, and YOU'RE
not money, are your She went away
quickly and, somehow to him, he1
step sounded differently as though she
were tired.
He spread out the handkerchief
gravely. 1t was a little square OF lin
en- with a deep lace border. He looked
at 1t lovingly, then putting 1t up t
his face, kissed his treasure and
smiling happily. went to sleep with !
close under his cheek.
Mrs. Darragh, on her way to he
room where her maid waited wit
her cloak, smiled bitterly. 1t ha'
reached the boy and she had guarde'
so carefully against It.
She was a little more quiet thai
usual as she went down stairs wher'
her husband was waiting. He SAT-
nothing as he followed her into tn
carriage, only politely took as httl
a as possible in order not t
crush her gown. 1t was his polite
ness that maddened her and tonight
it was all she could do to keep fror
screaming out with it all.
She had been married six year
and IN all that time. with the excel
ton Of the first year, when he ma
~cndeavored to win her love, h ha
had nothing but this polite attitud
from him.
Now as she drove along, she blame
herself bitterly. At 20 she had falle
in love with a mar who was alread
engaged to another girl. When sh
found 1t out she had vowed she wa
done with love, since 1t had cheate
her, and, at 20 she had married a ma
Is a her senior, who promised he
everything In the world If she woul
marry him.
He kept his word; her houses wer
the finest, her clothes the most eli
giant, her jewels marvels, and her HUI
band, after his failure to make he
love him, the coolest, most polite ma
in New York.
But she loved her child madly. Sf
lived for Geoffrey. she told herself.