The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1909-01-24

quiet and peaceful, and the moonlight
fitering through the branches had
traced soft shadows on the pavement,
she found herself in the midst of the
noise and hustle Of every day. She
walked among men and women all
seeking something as eagerly as her
self. whose faces she scanned only to
search for one that she did nUt find.
When she came 30 where Tom had tried
to kiss her. her heart thro5bed Then
the light that Illuminated her face fer
an instant suddenly died out and she
returned home with d troubled look.
I'd right to ketch holt O his hand
an bring him wild me-" she thought, as
she reused herself to test the potatoes.
She stood close to the stove, her
hands with a fork in the right one,
crossed before her. Now and then she
thrust the fork critically into the pot
turning away from the steam. No enc
would have suspected from her fresh.
round face. frank blue eyes md general
air of youthful vigOT. as she stood wait
fng, that she had any burdens To carry.
Poverty. anxiety over her husband. and
sorrow at the loss of all her children
but one had not left the usual trace
As long as there was work to be done
Maggie Egan could throw into it all the
She left herself no time for brooding,
except at night, when she would say, Il
do be too wore out wild the fatigue to
fret It was typical of her that she
went to lady for whom she sometimes
worked. directly after the funeral of her
first born. and begged TO begin house
cleaning at once. although it was d
month too soon. The way il would
take up me mind" she explained.
When the potatoes were dished and
Maggie had poured herself and Patsy
each a bowl of iong-steeped tea, which
she cooled from the bottle IF milk, they
drew up to the table. The remaining
sausag e fat in the frying pan gave an
extra relish to the potatoes. and both
mother and child ate than with genuine
enjoyment. Then Patsy yielded his
head to a wet brush in his mothers
firm grasp and his nose to a corner of
her apron. Mind I don't ind you in
it again phin schools kapin'"' was her
only allusion to his shortening, as she
gave him a resounding kiss on the
mouth and pushed him out of the door.
When Patsy was gone Maggie sought
relief from anxiety, rs was her way, in
work. All the afternoon she stood
plunging her smooth arms into the suds.
Strengthening UP to wiring by hand, and
increasing satisfaction in her face. By
the time her work was done the hope
of Toms Homecoming WAS revived as
fresh and strong as ever in her heart,
The next morning was vital with the
spring, fit time for the revival of ma
ture. ambition and hope.
Grove street had its windows open,
it's furniture on the piazzas and its
clothesIines weighted with Oriental
rugs In one of its houses Maggie Egan
was on her knees. For years she had
knelt there as regularly as az church,
and ! doubt if she applied herself more
heartily to her rosary than to her floor
cloth. Whenever Mrs. Norton came to
inspect the work that day she Teveled
in the spectacle of Maggie's broad, ca
pable back. just as expressive # energy
and stability of character as the wom-
ans face.
At evening. when Maggie came for
her pay. Mrs. Norton was suddenly
truck with the pathos in her look Re-
Taxed after a hard days work, il re-
yesled plainly the anxious heart. What
could be the trouble? Mrs. Norton had
always regarded Maggie's lot as COM
paratively comfortable and promising.
Boundless health and joy in work kept
her income sufficient. her home. if
she so seldom referred to her husband,
whom Mrs. Norton knew to be away
most of the time. that she did not think
of his playing any part in her life. The
bringing up of Patsy was some cause
for anxiety, especially with the pros
pect of heredity from such a father.
but Maggie had but one child when
other women had five or SIX. More
over, not only did Maggie never COM
plain. but she always struck a distinct
~ cheerful chord. in sharp contrast to
the minor tone of the others whose lives
Mrs Norton tried TO elevate.
But as Maggie waited in the spring
twilight. with soft twittering of birds
coming in at the window and fragrant
air stirring the curtains. Mrs. Norton
fumbled in her purse and wondered. To
question Maggie required tenderness
and tact. Not every one could have
done il. But Mrs. Norton loved her
and drew out her trouble.