The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-23
RECONC|LED
BY ACCIDENT.
The Girl That Helped Johns
Mother In an Emergency.
Ry CLARA LOUISE OTIS.

WINGS an LnG east anu OiO"AiS AAN
everything"
caroled a masculine voice
The woman i'm the kitchen smiled in
spite of herself THE dear child, she
murmured happily, 80 much like his
father" then to the child tall
young man of twenty four, just enter
ing the kitchen: You're early tonight
dear. Supper won't be ready for ten
minutes
"Oh. that's aal right" John Will
liams gave his mother vigorous hug
GLOW is motherF"
"Wel. And JohnY'
"Fine Say mOther''
eyes. dearT
"How would ycn like daughter-in
law%
Mary Williams set down the frying
pan and faced her son with dazed
expression "a daughter-in-law" she
repeated blank1y A binding rush OF
tears came to her eyes, and the little
room seemed to be whirling around.
"Oh. Johnw was all she said, but the
bitter disappointment Of those two
words was not lost on the young man.
"I'm sorry" he said briefly and left
the room.
Memories one after the other crowd
ed fast before her. Her husband had
died when John was three, and they
had been so happy! And since John
had grown to manhood how happy
he had made her! Yet-yet he was
going to bring another woman there
another woman! The odor of scorch-
ing meat made her start.
Come, supper's ready" she called
in what was intended to be her natural
voice
Tell me about it," faltered Mary
after they had sat in silence for some
minutes.
"Not if you don't want to hear, moth
err
The hurt. proud tones brought con-
triton to her heart.
81 do want to hear" The words
were true in more ways than one.
"Her name is Kitty-Kitty Marvin" ."
and
"Oh, mother, mother! I've wanted
10 lSII yOu SO' AAC SOu SUM- JOO
want to hear?"
eyes yesw She flashed out the
words lest John should divine her sink
ing heart She smiled too.
Seeing only his mothers smile, John
launched into the dear topic. "She
hasn't lived here long, only since May. |
I didn't tell you because-well, to tell
the truth. was afraid you'd be all
cut up about it. Besides, it wasn't |
settled until last night. Why, mother,
you're crying! Are you sorry?"
mo no! I'm-glad! Go on!'
81 met her last year out at the lake.
Do you remember my speaking OF
those girls out there? l knew then
she was the only one in the world for
me-" John spoke very softly.
So he had cherished this girl in his
heart whole year, and she had
thought herself to be his all in all!
"Wasn't it strange. mother" went I
on the young man in a subdued voice,
as if his happiness was still Won
derful thing. to be reverenced and held /
in awe-"wasn't it strange that she
should move here, not knowing it was
my homer
Yes. Tell me everything, dear"
"All right She is little and slim and !
has gray eyes" Mary Williams was
built on generous, capable lines. and
her eyes were brown. Her hair is
like yours-brown and heavy. She
gives music lessons" Mary had no
accomplishments except housekeeping.
"She sings, too-oh, mother. you ought
to hear her sing! And she is as quick
as bird and the prettiest dancer" /
"Can she cook?" (
''Weli, ! don't know, but she can do .
everything else. You see, there are so
many in her family that it's hard to
tell just who does do the work. know
she can sew. for she showed me a /
dress last night that she made"
After the supper work was done and ,
John had gone off whistling Mary sat
down by the fire 20 God. give me
strength to bear itr' she prayed fierce
ly, holding tight to the arms of the
chair then relaxing in sudden burst
of resentful tears. How can he
how can he bring that girl here-that |
Kitty ran her rebellious thoughts.
and she forgot about her prayer.
"Why, her very name sounds good for
nothing If | was an cid woman it
would be different, but Pm only forty
seven and as strong as ever This is
my house, my own house. and | keep
it my own way Yet girl is going to
come in and shove me back-me. who
loves John more than she ever could
Don't | always come home early from
sewing society so as to have Johns
supper on time? Don't make his
shirts. when almost every man buys
them ready made? Wouldn't l do his
washing if he would let me? Oh she
can't love him as l do? Probably she
won't even let him smoke in peace
Oh, she can't come-she just can'tr'~
For an hour she poured out the re
bellion in her soul to the leaping. sym
pathetic fire. then sank back exhaust
ed How selfish l amr' she cried
aloud I'll have to bear it. Johns
a man now AS she grew more calm
she looked with disgust at her out
burst Il act like a baby! I guess I'm
made of better stuff than that, and
this is the last foolishness you'll hear
from me. If my sons going to be
married. why. he's going to be mar
ried-that's all"