Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1909-12-10
s.
MiSdirected Package


ed home, drew aside the heavy drap-
cries and entered the library where
her son sat busily writing He arose
at her entrance and with a little ges-
ture OF Difference placed a chair for
hoT.
Il cannot stay, dear" she said re-
gretfully. This Is such a busy day.
But here are two packages l wish
you would send for me, one by mes
senger to Wellington avenue. a dia-
mond ring for Leonora's birthday"
"and a workbox which Is to go by
express to Anna"
He took the packages from her
and laid them carefully upon the
desk. AS she drew on her gloves he
stepped and kissed her tenderly.
Thoughtful little mother." he said.
As the door closed behind her a
faint shadow Of annoyance crept into
his eyes. He glanced from the pack
ages to the partly written manuscript
with a somewhat quizzicai smile.
Capital and Labor" he unused, read
ing the heading Of the article intend
ed for the political banquet which he
was to attend that evening" The
commission is not to f4y liking. We're
the donor Of these Its the jewel
would beautify the hand 81 the hard
working little western teacher. in just
recognition Of her honest effort at In
depent labor. and the workbox-" he
paused and smiled somewhat ruefSlly..
The irony Of the situation flashed uEon
him. He dared not acknowledge ito
himself. that, philanthropist though
he was, his heart had bridged the
great gulf which lay between his life
and the gay, frivolous existence OF
Leonora Hazeltine. She, the acknowL
edged leader of all social life, had
paused for a moment in the whirl, and
smiled. II was the memory of this
smile, which against his better judg-
ment held her place secure in his
heart. The workbox," he repeated,
SHOULD serve to remind the thought
less society girl that usefulness is a
part of life's great purpose. that with.
out its character forming influence no
life can hope to reach its eliminating
possibilities"
He turned to resume his writing,
but found his pen arrested by deep
er desire to make the best of the
great forces within himself and he
sat in deep thought for long while.
st length he bent again over the desk
and wrote rapidly. An hour passed
and he wrote on, and then with a
deep sigh of satisfaction he laid aside
his pen. and as he did so the forgot
ten packages met his eye, He glanced
up anxiously at the clock and dis
covered that he had barely time to
meet his appointment He addressed
the cards hastily and, ringing the bell,
directed Jenkins to send them at
once.
A week later Mrs. Rutledge faced
her son with glance of mingled re-
proach and gladness. She handed
him a letter and watched his ss he
hastily scanned 1t.
Dear Auntie--" he began. "You
can never know the pleasure which
your most beautiful gift has given
me. Ny busy life has hitherto been
so void of color. The Eing-"", he paus-
ed and. flashed a quick glance OF start
led wonder into his mothers perpleE;
ed face. The ring,n"n he. resumed,
seems to have opened dp the vision
Of new world to me. The world of
which have always dreamed. 1t
seems to give me hope and courage.
It's very brilliance and purity widen
ing the scope of my little. narrow
existence. l pause sometimes in the
dull routine Of my work TO look at 1t
and it seems to whisper little mes
sage of encouragement Your deeply
grateful and loving niece.
-s- ANNA"
Rutledge placed the letter slowly in
it's envelope and stared blankly into
space.
Il am wondering how Leonora win
like her work-box,'A his mother inter
posed rather dryly. She had seconded
his own thought. Leonora's attitude
in the matter would mean so much to
him-far more than his mother could
know. His head was Dent in deep
thought as he moved toward the
door.
81 am going TO her" he said sim.
ply.
He could not define Just what inn
pulse it was which caused him to lay
so great a stress upon her attitude
IN accepting this gift, which seemed
% inappropriate to her mode of living.
/ What message would 1t carry to her?
Would it, in its misdirected mission,
fulfil his own secret desire and cause
her to pause. and-think?
AS If in answer to his question she
came toward him with a trace OF
tears upon her face and her hands
fingered In his with little tremulous
reluctance.
81 am glad that you came" she said
softly. 'You can take message 10
your mother so much better than
can write it. have tried so many
times but words seem so inadequate
10 express all that the loving thought
tulness Of her little gift has meant tC
me-" her voice broke and she went Oh
unsteadily. Il have been such a use
less, inconsequent butterfly and hel
sweet, gentle way Of reminding ms
has struck the right note"
1t seemed to him that 1t would bs
best not to explain. With a little cry
OF Joy he had reached for her hand
and drew her to him.-MRS. MARET
FLETCHER.
5ritain's Coal Troubles.
We hear a great deal in these time
of the folly and wiekedness of wa
between civilized peoples. Wha