The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1910-12-17
e rTA'S MOTHER.

The smohe from the stacks of the ocean liner,
Corona shovel ray against the blue. From the
ferry Kitty ntched the cloud-like haze and her
pulses quickened at the sight. 1t told her that
Deas departur re was not far away, and though
Della was NOT her most intimate friend by any
means. the thought that she was on the point Of
crossing the ocean, and that several years might
pass before her return, gave Kitty sober feeling
as if the tears might start on almost any pretext
1t was rather relief when her attention was
attracted by the little old lady. She very
little creature and though Kitty found it difficult
to guess her age, her face was criss-crossed by
lines enough for hundred years. 1t is sometimes
difficult to distinguish the handwriting of lime
from that of Hardship. The old lady carried a
paper bag, which she handled with noticeable care,
as if she was holding young and fragile infant
There was something of peculiar appeal about the
old face and the bowed figure. Kitty found her
eyes turning in that direction frequently.
When the crowd swept off the ferry, Kitty looked
back The old lady was coming on slowly, her
SO suggestive of helpless bewllderment that
Kitty turned back. She was not quite sure OF what
she meant to offer. but when she found herself by
the little womans elbow, the latter saved her the
trouble by clutching her sleeve.
Il wonder she faltered seemingly rather
abashed by her boldness in speaking, and yet deter
mined not to give up, whether you could tell me
where to find big boat that's going to sail today
Its the Corona
why. YES indeed Kitty smiled upon her
radianty. I'm Just going aboard myself"
You don't tell me you're going clear across
the water all by yourself!" cried the old lady III
such horror that Kitty fastened to explain that
she had only come to see friend off
Yes, that's what I've come for" The old lady 5
voice lowered apprehensively I've come to see
my daughter off I don't know as she'll like it"
Like it, Kitty exclaimed "Of course she
WILL
eliza has good many stylish friends" said
the old lady. meekly. "And I'm from the country
i guess don't need to tell you that | wouldn't
like to shame her. but it seemed as II L couldn't
let her 90 without goodbye"
81 should hope not I" Kitty exclaimed, with
wave Of hot resentment toward the absent Eliza.
Elias married real WE'LL said the old lady.
And now his firm is sending him to Germany.
they'll be gone three years The babyH be quite
boy when they come back"
Yes Kitty agreed, and lowered her lashes,
not to see the pain in the faded gray eyes regard
Ing her
I've brought him bag of cookies" the old lady
continued Hes big enough to like cookies la
most given up seeing him. for Eliza was SO busy
after they decided to go, that she couldn't have
company. But yesterday | made up my mind |
was coming anyway and | made some cookies, and
here [ ann She ended with a rather tremulous
laugh
As they talked, they had beer nearing the
steamer whose decks were thronged with people.
~ oIu lady looked about her tnnluly, anu cluCcHeu
Mttys arm. is that 2" she said, her voice drop
ping almost to a whisper.
That's it." Kitty replied. "and you'll soon lind
'our daughter if you look around little. one
herself had caught glimpse of Della, and after
l.ePing her companion up the gangplank, she hur-
ned On to join the group of girls who had come to
zee Della eff
Full twenty minutes passed before she bethought
ieefself Of the old lady She looked about her and
discovered the old, shrinking figure crowded back
'2ainst the rail- Apparently ELIAS mother had
Exhausted her store Of courage when she had come
i" ire city without ELIAS invitation. Kitty hur-