Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1909-08-04
RECONc|LED
BY ACCIDENT.
The Girl That Helped Johns
Mother In an Emergency.
By CLARA LOUISE OTIS.

Copyrighted. 1909. by Associated Literary
Press.l
.six o'clock and ais we'll
winds In the east and blowing like
everything"
caroled masculine voice.
The woman In the kitchen smiled in
spite OF herself The dear child" she
murmured happily. go much like his
father" then to the Child" a 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 all right" John VIII
liams gave his mother a vigorous hug.
4.How Is motherr'
well. And JohnT'
"rine. Say, motherr'
YES. dearw
How would you like daughter-in-
iawT'
Mary williams set down the frying
pan and faced her son with a dazed
expression. "A daughter-in-law?" she
repeated blankly. A binding rush of
tears came to her eyes. and the little
room seemed to be whirling around.
AOh. Johnr' 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
uO W0ut " uCdI. JIG WOEO8
were true In more ways than one.
"Her name u Kitty-Kitty Marvin"
And
ooh. mother. mother! I've wanted
to tell you SO! Are you sure you
want to hearr'
Eyes. 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 1t. Besides, 1t wasn't
settled until last night. Why. mother.
you're crying. Are you sorry?"
NO no! I'm-glad! Go onw
II met her last year out at the lake.
Do you remember my speaking of
those girls out there2 l knew then
she was the only one In the world for
me-" John spoke very softly.
80 he had cherished this girl in his
heart whole year. and she had
thought herself to be bis all In all.
Wasn't 1t strange. mother" went
on the young man In a subdued voice.
as II his happiness was still a won
derful thing, to be reverenced and held
in awe-"wasn't 1t strange that she
should move here, not knowing 1t 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 cookY'
We'll, ! 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 of whistllng Mary sat
Down by the fire. 20 God. give me
strength to bear itv' she prayed fierce
", holding tight to the arms Of the
ehair, then relaxing in a sudden burst
OF resentful tears. How can he
now 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 II was an old woman It
would be different. but I'm only forty
seven and as strong as ever. This is
my house, my own house. and keep
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
snirts. when almost every man buys