Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-02
STORY OF DIVIDED HOPES

substantial things. At the Gordon resi-
dence she was directed to the nursery.
MRS GORDON was seated i'm a low
4V4 chair with her back to the door. AS
Georgiana entered she caught sight of a
round. downy head lying in the bend of
her friends arm. Nettie was a genuine
mother, not content like most of the
mothers Of their circle, to select hand
some clothing for her offspring and let un-
derlings provide the real motherhood.
In answer to Georgiana's whispered
greeting, she turned her head and smiled
a welcome.
II don't need to ask" murmured the
caller. Il know from your tired face that
the baby's been sick again.
The mother nodded, putting out her free
hand to her friend. "She's been rather
bad for two nights. Somehow, l never
can turn them over to a nurse. as a SEN
sible woman would do. l should just lie
awake and worry. SO 1 might as well give
the nurse a chance to sleep.
Georgiana stood looking down upon the
slender little mother creature. with eyes
half worshipful. Here at least, was a
legitimate worry. Nettie hadn't taken sill
yer and gold and good gifts and made
them into pack to weigh down her
shoulders. This claim of the baby Miss
Brant admitted ungrudgingly. Dropping on
her knees by the little mothers chair, she
gazed at Mrs. Gordon solemnly,
''Nettie." she demanded in a puzzled
tone, what is the matter with me? How
years to be so appallingly young inside?
You've all married off and left me, and l
ought, by every law of fitness. to be long
ing for home of my own. But I'm not.
] had a touch of it this morning, sort
of forlorn leftat-the-post feeling. and
sometimes when I see little round bald
heads like this she broke off, laugh
ing. and yet her eyes were wet.
Your time will come. George" smiled
Mrs. Gordon.
Georgiana shook her head slowly. eff
you had said that yesterday. l should
have answered OF course. But today
I've been thinking, and / perceive that
possibly my time has come-and gone.
What I want to find out is just how bad
] ought to feel about it,
Mrs. Gordon laughed helplessly at this
presentation of the case while Miss Brant
continued-"Wher6s Billy? After all.
Billy is the only person l know who is
qualified to enjoy this day with me. You'll
let him come to play. won't your
A T the sound of his name stocky
young person with hair cut straight
across the neck and forehead appeared in
the doorway.
Here's t. he announced.
Here's you. is it? Well. Billy. want
some one to come out to play with me in
the park. All my little playfellows are
busy. Will you Gomez
Billy considered. looking trife puzzled.
Spring is in the park. Billy" she ca
ioled. land the trees are all waking up
from their winter nap
What's look like?' demanded the mat
ter-of-fact Billy.
The spring? Oh. green like lettuce and
gray and misty like the babys eyes.
Scamper now and yet your coat and hat,
because I'm anxious to get there"
"At least two persons in New York who
are free from care she reflected. humor-
ously, as with Billys plump hand held
firmly in hers she walked through the
mellow sunshine. all sorts of heresies
springing in her mind.
Son." she said aloud, Il want to ask
you a question, and l want you to think
carefully before you reply. because it's
very important. How many cream puffs
can you eat without acquiring stomach
ache?'
Seventy 'leven!" dropped from Billy's
lips with the promptness of conviction.
Billy" she demonstrated. gently, Il
wanted you to give the matter thought.
An affair of this sort ought not to be de-
cided in haste. Think it over bit"
From the tail of her eye she watched
him, as with a mighty effort he screwed
his plump face into an expression of deep
meditation.
It's just as I thinked," he observed at
last, allowing his features to relax gradu-
ally. II can eat seventy leven. l feel 1t
in my bones"
We'll, II that's the case. We'll buy six
at the bakers. 1 never did like the cakes
they have in the park. Their milk and
sandwiches are good enough, but we'll
take our cakes with u.s.
They had once more resumed their way.
Billy bringing up the rear with the bag OF
cream puffs that had been consigned to
his care. Turning suddenly to make sure