The Democratic advocate., 1909-02-19
Mary's Home
coming.
BY DOROTHY CARLTON.
Copyrighted, 1909, by Associated
Literary Press.

Iui ior reckon, but the Lord knows
he knows remarked Josiah Wayne
to his wife the morning set apart for
gratitude for the years blessings.
We've got each other, siah. and
that's a heap" she replied softly.
That's right, Martha. We're spared
by Gods grace. but will Banker Hall
spare US when the mortgage comes
due next month"; And he shook his
head obviously.
Deacon Hall is mighty close listed,
pa, and he likes to get good farms
cheap. If he don't get ours, 1t will be
divine answer to prayers It'll be a
miracle" declared his wife.
"The book says the Lord takes care
OF his children, Martha. Well put our
trust in him." And the careworn, toll
tired farmer rose and left the house.
IF Mary was only here" sighed
Mrs. Wayne, "and, seeing as she amt,
it would be powerful comforting to
talk about her, but Siah is set in his
ways. Seemed as II knew she was
happy I'd be thankful in spite of the
mortgage" she said to herself as she
hastily wiped away the starting tears.
Ten months before Mary Wayne had
eloped with a man who passed three
weeks vacation at the farm the sum-
mer previous.
John Mott had been delighted with
the weather beaten old farmhouse and
its surroundings when he first gllmpsed
them, not that they stirred an ar
tlstic soul, but because they recalled
gone boyhood days and the homes he
had left, an orphaned youth, to make a
fortune In the metropolis of the west.
almost like dream come true"
he thought, and he lived again the
years when he was blood brother TO
the woods and its people. His flnan-
cial success and business standing in
the city were nothing TO him IN the
country,
He was just an eager boy, who was
restless to 90 fishing and swimming
and club tree limbs for chestnuts,
though 1t was August, all at once,
and his only discomfort was because
all his desires could not have stimuli
taneous qualification.
Then came Mary. She was away
when he first arrived, and he had be.
gun to hunger for companionship Of
young people when she returned. In
candor the girl could not be called
beautiful, but there was that IN her
face to make her good to look upon.
Her features were not regular. but
the ensemble showed strength Of pur.
pose.
Painters would not have rayed over
her eyes, but discerning poets could
have found in their depths that tender
sympathy which makes some women
akin to angels.
She had taught school the term be.
fore to aid in lifting the blanket Of
obligation that haunted the old people
in the evening OF their lives.
She was the only child. and her one
aim was to make their last days com
Portable, but the hope seemed far from
fulfillment, for her savings were small,
the mortgage loomed large, and the
banker was grasping, inexorable
Shylock.
Still. the year and more that inter
vened before the blow would fall
might bring many things, SO Mary
worked and prayed
To Mott the girl was a revelation.
He had known girls in the city, but
they lived In world apart from
Mary Wayne. Here he found SINGER.
ity and frankness that came from tho
heart, not the mind.
The difference In types appealed to
him, charmed first ard then held his
affections. When he sSid goodby at
the end OF his stay he knew he had
found the one woman he needed, and
he hoped to win her.
In the autumn she resumed her
school duties In town several miles
distant from home. and It became a
fixed engagement that Mott should
spend Sundays with her. She rarely
went to tho farm at week ends, as the
trip involved expenditures she did not
feel justified in making.
Motifs visits were comforting from
the beginning Gradually she realized
that they were dear 10 her In antlcI.
patton and memory. and one Decem-
Der night she found herself and knew
they were necessary to her happiness.
Motifs next call was eventful. He
was sure Of his love for her. Because
OF his uncertainty as TO her reciprocal
tlon he experienced unrest and sought
to learn his fate. Mary loved him and
when he proposed told him so. Then
he Journeyed to the farmhouse home
of his sweetbeart's parents.
"You may write TO any one In the
city you know as to my character and
ability to care for Mary" he told him
Young man, cities are wicked
places" said Farmer Wayne. "Do you
believe in Godf" he asked abruptly.
"Why-er-of course, Mr.. Wayne"
he replied, abashed at the text Of the
query.
"Do You belong TO churchT' the
stern inquisitor continued.
"Well. Mr.. Wayne, you see am
pretty busy. and I-I"- stammercd
Mott
'You are pot Christian. Yon are
money changer In the templew thun-
dered the old man. II know your city
ways. You forsake all paths except
those that lead to fortune. You are
hypocrites and decelversp he shouted
in concluding the denunciation.
'sThen r. began the young man.
Never see my daughter again, sir
Goodby."
81 love her dearly, Mr.. Wayne, AMI
she loves me. I'll not promise never
to see her again." And he left with a
hanvv hanr rf