The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1909-04-09

for the last time. She thought how
she had loved her young son. but how
she had let small duties take the
place OF greater ones. until now. like
a lightning fash is seemed burned
into her brain. She had lost her
chance. He was gone forever.
From that time on her one purpose
In life was to and him, but 1t was of
no avail She would hear from him
though always indirectly. He was
going from worse to worse, drinking.
gambling.
During this time the two other girls
got married and James Thompson.
ST., died. Five years wore away, and
the anniversary of her desertion came
around once more. The earth was be-
ginning to put on her green mantle.
and the old homestead looked very
cheerful. Harriet Thompson was a
young woman for her yelrs. Albeit
near sixty. and with her years had
come wisdom
Ever since that day. which was a
sore spot In her memory. she had
thrown wide open the doors and the
windows. taken the covers off the fur
niture, tried to make the house cheer
full and thought OF the homecoming
Of her boy. II had been the day be-
fore Easter when he went away. and
now she remembered that the next
day would be Easter Sunday. She
went down the broad walk, bordered
with lockwood. that led to the gate.
and gathered great punches OF daffo-
dis. which she placed in the parlor
windows and on the table. Then she
tall candles on the mantelpiece. and
drew up the shades that the passerby
| might see the cheerfulness within.
Then she put little finishing touches
to her attire. such as happy young
girl would give. who looks for her
lover. and with a feeling at her heart
she had not had for years. she sat
down to wait for she knew not what.
As the evening grew on she looked
at the old clock In the corner and saw
1t was 8 o'clock. and just then the old
knocker changed. She almost tainted.
Then she looked up with thrill OF
disappointment as the maid ushered
a tall, heayily-bearded stranger into
the room. He took but two steps to
reach her. and then. clasping her in
his arms. said:
Mother, YOU don't know me. but I
am James Thompson. | have come to
bring you an Easter present. which I
hope you will accept as a proof of the
love and gratitude have always felt
for YOU"
The mothers heart grasped at what
she had SO longed for. and as she re-
turned his caress she hardly dared ask:
My Willie! You have heard OF
him? Is he dead;"
The door opened again and anot:-.
stranger. only younger and more
blonde than the other. came in.
| Mother. Mother. Can you take
back your wandering SOM"
The dark head. now nearly white
was bent over the blonde as he knelt
| oy her side. while the elder brother
leaned over the two with his blessing
Then the three drew near together
while the fire and the candle light
and the golden flowers shone around
them. and James Thompson told hcv,
in one of the cases before him for
trial, he had recognized Willie: how
he had taken the boy home and done
everything for him. And now he was
started on the right way and wished
to live and make her happy.
Then. as Aunt Harriet clasped her
boys. as she called them. by the hand
she looked first at one and then at
the other. and said with proud and
happy glances from her eyes:
My children. east your bread rpon
the waters. and after many DAYS /,
i will return to youss