The Democratic advocate., 1909-07-23
RECONCILED
BY ACCIDENT.
The Girl That Helped Johns
Mother In an Emergency.
Ry CLARA LOUISE oTIs.

a6ix O'Clock and ans well
Winds in the east and blowing like
everything"
caroIed masculine voice
The woman in the Kitchen smiled in
spite of herself 'The dear child" she
murmured happily SO much like bis
father rhen to the child a tai
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 all right" John VII
liams gave his mother a vigorous hug
''How IS motherY
"Well and JohnY
Pine Say moihcr"
''Yes dearT
"How would you like daughter-in
law
Mary Williams set down the frying
pan and faced her son with a dazed
expression. "A daughter-in-lawY she
repeated blankiy A binding rush of
tears came to her eyes, and the little
room seemed to be whirling around.
"0h, Johnr was all she said. but the
bitter disappointment Of those two
words was not lost on the young man
"Pm sorry" he said briefly and left
the room.
Memories one after the other crowd
ed fast before her. Her husband had
died when Iohn 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 womanl 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 IL you don't want to hear, moth
er."
The hurt, proud tones brought con
triton 20 her heart.
81 do want to hear" The words
were true In more ways than one
''Her name is Kitty-Kitty Marvin"
AND
"0h, mother. motherl I've wanted
to tell you SO! Are you sure you
want TO hearT7
"Yes. yesr 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
] didn't tell you because--well. to tell
the truth, was afraid you'd be all
cut up about H. Besides. II wasn't
settled until last night. Why. mother,
you're crying! Are you sorryr
mo. no! fm-glad! Go onl''
~ met her last year out at the lake.
Do you remember my speaking Of
those girls ont tberei | knew then
she was the only one In the world for
me-" John spoke very softly.
So he bad cherished this girl IN his
heart whole year, and she had
thought herself to be his all in all
Wasn't II strange mother" went
on the young man In subdued voice.
as If his happiness was still won.
derful thing 10 be revcrenced and held
in awe wasn't It strange that she
should move here not knowing lt wns
my home?"
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-browD and heavy She
gives music lessons" Mary had no
accomplishments except housekeeping.
"She sings, too-oh, mother. you ought
to hear her singl And she Is as quick
as bird and the prettiest dancer"
"Can she cookT
"Well, | don't know, but she can do
everything else You see. there are 50
many In her family that It's hard TO
tell just who does do the work know
she can sew. for she showed me
dress last night that she made"
After the supper work was done and
John had gone of whistllng Mary sat
down by the FIRE 20 God. give me
strength 10 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 IL | was an old woman II
would be different, but I'm only forty
seven and as strong as ever This Is
my house, my own house, and ] keep
1t 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 do his
washing IL he would let me? Oh. she
cant love him as do? Probably she
won't even let him smoke In peace
Oh, she can't come-she just can't"
For an bour she poured OUT the re.
bellion IN her soul to the leapng. sym.
pathetic fire. then sank back exhaust.
ed How selfish ami" she cried
aloud "I1l have TO bear II, Johns
man now" AS she grew more calm
she looked with disgust at her out
burst Il act like n babyl | guess TN
made Of better stun 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"