The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-12-08

I'm awfully sorry I really couldn't
get out Of it,
why, that's all right" she said. 81
shan't be lonesome. Do you take a
young lady?"-with interest. His
friends were always here
Yes" He. tried to look indifferent,
but he was watching her closely. Miss
Skidmore."
"Oh-hI''
She was hanging up a dress skirt.
She pinned the band together. careful
ly matching 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.
mo, not very. 1 don't go to parties
much"
rs she received in the best society
here?" Her voice seemed to cut the
air.
Il don't know. Yes-I guess soft
there is any best. This party is at the
hall"
"Oh-hr'
When they went off, Mrs. Etheridge
stood at the window and watched
them. The moonlight flooded the val
ley. 1t brought out the mountains in
bold relief against the blue Colorado
sky. She looked at them a long time.
Then she drew a labored breath.
Strange" she murmured, how these
mountains settle down on onew
The days that followed were an hour
ly crucihxion to her. She had not been
in the house twenty-four hours before
she knew there was something between
Idelia Skidmore and her son. What il
was she could only conjecture, but
xrrbo - -, a
jealous Woman's soul il 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, 1T is only my foolish i'm
sgination"-the next, she would wiring
her hands and whisper, 80 Godr'
Does this seem melodramatic? Re
member-he was her only child. the
light of her eyes. the hope of years.
She knew that whatever this thing be-
tween them 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 casual 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 out every detail A
f1P
was Mrs. Etheridge, and the stakes
were high.
He listened in silence. Then he said:
Mother. it wouldn't pay to go to
housekeeping for the little time you
will be here"
1t hurt her cruelty. There was no rea-
son why she should not be here always
if he wanted her. Then she laid pride,
too, on the altar.
Il don't want TO teach again, Rob.
I'd rather have the little housekeep-
ing we've planned so long" She laid
her head on his shoulder-all woman
now. She had been father and mother
both so longl
4 don't see how we can manage it,
mother" he said, weakly. I'm afraid
We'll have to give up the little house,
keeping. Her sacrifice had been re-
jected.
I'm a good deal troubled about my
business" he continued. THE mine
shuts down soon-so it's rumored."
Mrs. Etheridge sat up and thought
rapidly. This calamity might prove a
door of escape.
"Oh, Robert" she cried. lets go
away"
I've had an offer here" he began
tentatively.
With another company"
mo. TO go into business"
What business?"
The grocery business"
There was silence in the room for the
space of minute-siience that might
be felt Then Mrs. Etheridge spoke
with incisive distinctness.
DO you mean TO tell me that you
think for one moment of giving up
your professional profession that cost
you four years of your life" (she did
not mention her own sacrifices)-"for
one reverse and-a grocery store?"
ooh, we'll" he said sulkily Che felt
that he had been called names-cow-
ard, dclt, 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
without relevance. do you care for
this girl?"
What girl?"
'Idella Skidmore.
Il think a good deal of her-yes."
Would you marry herr"
There was no escaping her searching
directness. 1t was the same tone she
used TO take years ago when she would
hold him by the hand and say. Now
tell me the exact truth" and he would
feel that he had to do it. He felt so
now.
"A man might do worse" ne an
swered deiantiy.