The Press., 1909-10-27
1 RECONCILED
 BY ACCIDENT.
The Girl That Helped Johns
 Mother In an Emergency.
By CLARA LOUISE OTIS.

1 Winds in the east and blowing like everything
 caroled a masculine voice.
 The woman in the kitchen smiled in spite of herself. "The dear child" she murmured happily. "so much like his father" then to the 'child," q 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 VII Hams gave his mother vigorous hug. 'How is mother?"
 ''WeIl. And John?'
 "Fine. Say, mother!'
 'Yes, dear?'
 "HOw would you like daughter-in- lawP'
 Mary Williams set down the frying pan and faced her son with a daZed expression "A daughter-in-lawY she repeated blnnkly. A binding rush of tears came to her eyes. and the little room seemed to be whirling around. '+Oh, Johnv' 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 l the room.
 Memories one after the other crowd ed fast before her. Her husband had died when John was three. and they had been SD happy! And since John 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 er.'
 The hurt, proud tones brought con- triton to her heart.
 'I 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 to tell you so! Are you sure you want to hear?''
 "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 tine truth. l 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?''
 No. no! Fm-glad! Go Onr'
 'I met her last year out at the lake. Do you remember my speaking of those girls out there? 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 a whole year. and she had thought herself to be his all in all!
 ''Wasn't it strange. mOther," went 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 1t was my homer"
 "YeS. Tell me everything, dear.'
 ''AIl 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?"
 "Well, l 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. I 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 whistling Mary sat down by the fire. 70 God, give me strength to bear it!' she prayed fierce ly, holding tight to the arms of the chair, then relaxing in a sudden burst of resentful tears. How can he how can he bring that girl here-that KittyY ran her rebellious thoughts, and she forgot about her prayer. "Why, her very name sounds good for nothing. If I was an old woman it would be different, but Pm only forty seven and as strong as ever This is my house, my own house, and I 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 I make his shirts, when almost every man buys them ready made? Wouldn't do his washing if he would let me? Oh, she can't 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 hour she poured out the re bellion in her soul to the leaping, sym pathetic fire, then sank back exhaust ed. How selfish 1 amp she cried aloud. ''I'l have to bear it. Johns a man now" As she grew more calm she looked with disgust at her out burst. "I act like baby! guess I'm this is the last fooIishness you'll hear from me. If my sons going to be @arried, why, he's going to be mar ried-that's au.'
 But she forgot to be on her guard the next morning when John enthusi- astically remarked that she should have heard Kitty sing "Dearie" the night before. "'Dearie''-what a fool ish name for a songI And with that one cOntemptuous thought all the bit terness of the thing came back to her. Do you always have to talk about her-even at the breakfast tAbleY' Johns lips came together in a straight line. Il thought he began, ! then stopped abruptly. Ten minutes later he left the house in silence.
 Mary would have given all she pos sessed to recall those words. A sort of hopelessness came over her. If she l could control herself no better than ] that now, what would she do later?