The Cairo bulletin., 1909-09-13
The Silent
Plea1er
Are you alone. MOTHER

l
| the ottoman at her feet. as he had
often done when he had come to her
with childhood petty troubles. The
mother drew his head down on her
lap, smoothing his hair with gentle
hand.
What is troubling you, Richard? :?
Can help you?"
Il don't know, mother. | hardly
know how to begin to tell you" He
paused moment. then went on.
There is girl. mother-a little
brown-eyed. brown-haired. soft-voiced
girl, and love her"
Yes, Richard"
She is OF good family, but. oh! so
poor! She thinks am but poverty
stricken mechanic, and loves me be-
cause OF 1t. am going TO marry her"
You had best tell your father"
Il have, and he informed me | was
crazy He had arranged marriage Tor
me with Miss Lincoln so that our joint
fortunes would enable me to further
my railroad interests. told him he
might be general manager of the con
cern he owned and which employed
me. but he was not director OF my
heart. That would marry Anna, and
II he disowned me | had skill enough
as mechanic to support her"
Richard"
Mother, | love her. and so will you
yxrh pn dA nf IN
antagonize father but | will not give
in to his Will"
Il will try to win him over. for |
know you would select none but a
worthy girl to be your wife"
Thank you. know you will not re-
greet IT," He kissed her tenderly, and
as he walked out OF the room his
mother watched, with tear-dimmed
eyes, till he was out OF sight. then
turned to the task set before her.
Her husband sat in his study. the
papers scattered on his desk unheeded
his brow drawn into a frown as he
gazed into space. The soft rustic of
his wlfe's gown broke his meditation
That young fool" he began, testify,
spelling his chances because a baby
face has infatuated him. Ignoring my
wishes and actually running his entire
life"
Come. William, | have ordered the
carriage and we can talk it over as we
drive
He followed her passively enough to
the waiting carriage He was surprised
to find 1t the simplest In his stable.
Il wished to drive myself" explained
his wife.
SO engrossed was he in dilating upon
the enormity OF his sons foolishness
hat he did not notice where his wife
was driving to until they turned into a
pretty country lane.
This road seems familiar he re.
marked, then sat up straight as his
wife stopped in front of a tiny house
set back from the street. why, this
Is the house we lived in when we were
tirst married"
He followed her down the lilac Dor
dered walk into the house.
"Madge, 1t looks as 1t did the day
we left It, What does ii mean? How
is 1t you have the keys?"
DO you remember that first check
you gave me%
Yes, to buy Jewels with"
William, this was the jewel /
bought" With sudden change of hui
NOR she laughed merrily William.
let US stay here for tea and | will cook
1t myself. You go down and carry up
some wood Here, hang your coat on
its old hook. 1t will seem Ike old times
to see you in your shirt sleeves"
He, falling into her humor, did as
she bade. A few minutes later he came
upstairs to find his wife preparing a
simple meal, her silken gown shielded
by calico apron
"Madge, he called to her eagerly,
my old workable Is still down there
Do you remember how pleased we
were the day | finished it2"
Yes, indeed | do Billy using un
@'hoSiounAy lag huiilS IIe dlSAilleu w IL !
liam had long ago replaced
AS she set the table In the little |
kitchen, she watched her husband bus !
lily building the fire and whistlng a !
song he was wont to sing in the old |
days.
When she placed the dainty, simple |
meal on the table Mr.. Raynold drew |
up his chair with sigh of satisfac-
ton.
Il can't remember meal | have |
enjoyed as much as this in a great
many years; not since we left the lit |
lie house. We were happy those days,
Madge. More happy than we have been
since You look just as you did then,
except your hair is gray. | well re,
member how proud | was OF my pretty |
bride and the tiny home my two dol.
ars a day was supporting. Here,
Madge. dear, let me dry those Dishes
Towel In hand, he painstakingly
Tried each dish, and as he set the last
,up In the closet slipped his arms
about his wife and stole kiss, Just as
he had done In the 6rst happy days of
heir married life.
Billy, dear, let our boy taste OF the
oys we shared In that almost forgot
en- past He loves girl, who must be