Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-03


The ideas Of a middle-aEed man are
| tempered by habit and custom; so Ste
phen Norman did not rush h0t-foot to de-
clare himself to the lady. He was. how
| ever. no laggard in love; but not to
brighten the girl by too sudden on
slaught. he began a series Of yelled at
tentions which threw them into more con-
slant companionship. Norman was a fine
man. stalwart and handsome: his forty
years sat so lightly on him that his age
never seemed to come into question in q
woman's mind Margaret had always
| liked him and trusted him: he was the
big brother who had no duty in the way
Of scolding to do. His presence had al
girl first unconsciously and then con-
| sciously. answered to the mans over
lures. In a little while Norman felt him.
self justified in speaking to Rowiy. who
| had long been guardian as well as
brother: for his father and his father
wife had both been dead for years. Squire
| Rowly was delighted; Margaret's consent
was soon obtained.
When in the fullness of time it was
known that an heir was expected. Squire
| ing fulfilled. He took 1t for granted that
the child would be boy. and he held the
| idea so strongly and so tenaciously that
| his wife. who loved him deeply, gave UP
warning and remembrance after she had
| once tried to caution him against too
| would be disappointed In case 1t should
prove to be a girl. He was. however. 50
| fixed on the point that she determined to
say no more. After all. 1t might be boy;
then sufficient to the day would be the
evil thereof. The squire would not listen
to any one else at all; so as the time
| went on his idea was more firmly fixed
than ever. His arrangements were made
on the base that he would have son.
r1oA nf a.
phen had been the name Of all the
squires of Normanstand for ages-as far
back as the records went. and Stephen
the new heir. of course, would be. j
Like all middle-aged men with young
wives he was supremely anxious as the
time drew near. In his anxiety for his
wife his belief in the son became passive
rather than active. Indeed, the idea Of q
son was 30 deeply fxed in his mind that
1t was not to be lightly disturbed; not
whom he idolized.
When instead Of son a daughter was
born. the doctor and the nurse. who
knew his views on the subject. held back
from the mother for a little the knowledge
Of the sex. The sin Of Eve had been Wis
tied heavily on the young mother. and
travail had come attended by fears. Dame
Norman was so weak that the doctor
feared less anxiety as how her husband.
whom she adored. would bear the disap-
pointment. might initiate against her.
Therefore the doctor. as soon as he could
be spared. with whispered caution to
the nurse, sought the squire In his study.
where he had long suffered In silent
agony Of anxiety. He went resolutely at
his task. for here he had only to bear the
unpleasantness Of q mans disappointment
and not the responsibility Of a woman
life !
well, squire, I congratulate you on the
course. struck with the use Of the word
'child'' instead Of "son." but the cause
Of his anxiety was manifested by his
first question:
How is she doctor? IL she safer" The
sportance! The doctor, more used to such
scenes. and more In control Of himself.
breathed more freely; the subject of the
question had lghtened bis task. There
was. therefore. more assurance in his
voice as he answered:
"She Is safely through the worst Of her
trouble, but am greatly anxious as yet.
might upset her.
The squire's voice came quick and
strong:
There must be no upset. And now
tell me about my SOM? He spoke the
last word half with pride. half bashfully.
"Your son IL q daughter!" There was
to be anxious. Squire Norman sat quite
still; his right hand resting on the writ
ing table before him became clenched 80
hard that the knucklee looked white and
the veins red. After a long. slow breath
he spoke:
"She, my daughter. is well?'' The doc
tor answered with cheerful alacrity:
"4plendid!-I never saw q finer child In
my life. She will be a comfort and an
honor to your The squire spoke again:
suppose she's very proud Of herr"
''She does not know yet that 1t is a
girl. thought 1t better not to let her
know till had told YOU
'Why so?'
Because because-Norman. old friend.
your heart on a son. and know how It
would grieve that sweet young wife and
mother to feel your disappointment. /
want your lips to be the FIRST to tell her;
so that you may assure her Of your hap
piness in that q daughter has been born
to you"
The squire put out his great hand and
laid 1t on the others shoulder. There was
almost break in his voice as he said:
THANK you, my old friend, my true
friend. for your thought. When may
see her?'
by right, not yet. But, as knowing
your views. she may fret herself till she
knows, 1 think you had better come at
once"
All Norman's love and strength COM
bined for his task. AS he leant over and
kissed his young wife there was real
fervor in his voice as he said:
where is my dear daughter that you
may place her in my arms? For an in
slant there came a chill to the mother
heart that her hopes had been so far dis
appointed: but then came the reaction
Of her Joy that her husband. her baby's
father, was pleased. There was a heav-
emily dawn Of red on her pale face as she
drew her husbands head down to her and
kissed him.
happy that you are pleased The nurse
took the mothers hand gently and held
1t to the baby as she laid 1t in the father 8
arms.
He held the mothers hand as he kissed
the baby's brow.
The doctor touched him gently on the
arm and beckoned him away. He went
with careful footsteps. looking behind as
he went.
After dinner he talked with the doctor
on various matters, but presently he
asked:
Il suppose. doctor, 1t is no sort Of rule
that the first child regulates the sex of
family?" The doctor paused before an
swering: he felt that he had q duty to
do, for it might before long be necessary
to warn hts friend against false hopes.
mo. OF course not Otherwise how
should we see boys and girls mixed in one
family. as is nearly always the case. But.
my friend he went on, you must not
build hopes so far away. I have to tell
you that your wife IL far from strong:
Even now she is not so well AS could
wish, and there yet may be change" The
squire leaped impetuously to his feet as
he smoke OUickly: