The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1910-01-19
HIS MOTHER.

The cold gray shadows of the win
try twilight had enveloped tree and
meadow and sluggish forest stream in
their uncertain mist, the factory chin
neys flung their fiery banners OF
smoke against the leaden sky, basso-
rilieyo that would have made Rem
brandt himself rejoice, and the hum
of never-ceasing machinery in the lit
tie town rose above the rush of the
river like the buzz of gigantic insect.
Charles Emery, the day superintendent
In the rolling mills, was just returning
to his home, having been relieved
by the night uperintendont, and as
he walked along, his feet sounding
crisply on the hard frozen earth, he
whlstled softly to himself as light
hearted as a bird.
you're going with us tonight,
Charley, to the opera? cried a gay
voice, and two or three young men
came by.
For upon that especial evening there
was to be an opera in the little town,
O genuine New York company, with
n chorus, a full orchestra, and all the
paraphernaia of scenery and costume
which provincial residents so seldom
enjoy, and the younger population
were on the qui vive Of delightful ex-
pectation.
81 am going" said Emery, slowly;
"but not with you!"
But you will change your mind,
though" said Harrison, when you
hear that Kate Marcy is to be of our
party-Kate Marcy and the Miss Hal
sowells and Fanny Hewitt. There are
eight of us going. We've kept a seat
on purpose for you!"
II have engaged myself to another
lady" said Emery.
Harrison laughed.
"Well, I'm sorry for it, said he;
"but Miss Marcy Is not girl who
need pine for cavalier. Wen keep
the seat for you until quarter of
eight. And let me give you a warn
ing, old fellow! Kate Marcy is high
minded girl-it won't do to trifle too
much with her!"
Charles Emery went on his way
rather graver and more self-absorbed.
He had asked his mother the day be-
fore to go, and his mothers eyes had
Frightened with genuine delight.
your father often used to take me,
Charley" she said, when we were
young people and lived in New York.
But 1t is twenty years and more since
have been to an opera. And if
you're quite sure, dear, that there is
no young lady whom you would rather
take"
"As If any young girl in the world
could be to me what my own darling
mather Isl" replied Emery, smiling
across the table to her.
"Then shall be delighted to CO."
said Mrs. Emery. And her voice and
eyes bore witness to the truth of her
words.
But now that a regular party had
been organized, and Kate Marcy had
promised to join it, things looked diff
ferent to the young man. For a mo-
ment he almost regretted that he had
engaged himself to take his mother
"She would be as we'll pleased with
any concert" he said to himself,
"and l should have the opportunity of
sitting all the evening next to Kate
Marcy. I'll ask her to let me off this
time. ."She won't care"
But when he went into the little
sitting room Of their humble domain,
and saw his mother with her silver
gray hair rolled into puffs on either
side Of her almost unwrinkled brow,
her best black silk donned and the
opal brooch she owned pinned into
the white lace folds at her bosom,
his heart misgave him.
II have been trimming my bonnet
over with some violet-velvet flowers"
said she, smiling, so as to do you no
discredit, Charley; and have a new
pair of violet kid gloves. And now
you must drink your tea. I've made
some of your favorite cream biscuit,
and the kettle is nearly boiling. Oh,
Charley, you'll laugh at me, I'm
afraid, but ! feel like little girl 60
ing to her first children's party. It's
so seldom, you know, that a bit of
pleasure comes in my way!''
And then Charles Emery made up
his mind that his mother was more to
him in her helpless old age and sweet,
affectionate dependence, than any
blooming damsel whose eyes shone
like stars and whose cheeks rivalled
the September peach.
Going with some one elsel" said
Kate Marcy, rather surprised and not
exactly pleased.
She was a tall, beautiful maiden.
the belle Of c., and rather an heir
ess in her own right. She liked
Charles Emery, and she rather sur
missed that he liked her. And when
she had been studying up her toilet
for the opera, she had selected a blue
dress, with blue flowers for her hair
and ornaments Of turquoise, because
she had once heard Mr.. Emery say
that blue was his fayorite color.
Going with some else!" she repeat