The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1910-11-03

summer boarder in Akron that hem.
folks wouldn't let her have anythin
to do with. They sent her down hers
to school TO break il up. Mrs. Wilder
thought all the time she knew every
thing that Fay was doing. But there
are all kinds of stories out-Mrs. Will
der's milkman says that Fay has beent
going over to the Rosedale woods
every night to meet a man. Fay told
Mrs. Wilder that she was going auto+
ing with Ern in Tugs machine. DID
she really ever go with you. Ern?"
Ernest heard himself say, II gave
her lift once or twice" Something.
he did not himself quite understand
the impulse, compelled him to add.
She never asked mel always Of
fered."
well. they ran away last night"
Phoebe concluded. They telegraphed !.
remember. mother, 1 never did quiteV
| like that girl"
They sat down TO dinner Mrs. Mo-
tin. without looking at her son. knew
that he did not eat. Ernie" she
said at last, you've got one OF those
bilious attacks coming on. Hadn't
you better go right up to bed?"
Guess 1 will" Ernest said he
arose mechanically.
| Il thought Ernest had got over
those bilious attacks" Mr.. Martin said.
IT wonder he doesn't have more,
Phoebe volunteered. 1.-The way he eats
candyl"
But for the first time in his life
Ernest was struggling with something
more tragic than a bilious attack.
After time he started to undress-
But half way through this process he(
stopped short. He hand searching an
inner pocket, brought out fine spun
welt Of hair. He burned 1t gin tlre-
flame of the gas. Then he turned
the light out and lay on the bed,
tense. taut.
At 10 knock came at his door.
He unlocked 1t. His mother stood
there with pitcher of milk and a
plate of cookies. She walked across
to the bureau with them and. me-
chemically, he followed her. She sat
down, but she did not light the gas.
you'll wake up hungry by and by,
dear" she said, your headaches al
ways go quickly
/ Yes, 1 suppose So" he answered.
Mrs. Martins arm went out sud-
> denly and she pulled Ernest to her
lap. 1t had been years since she
had held him. but the boys figure re-a
t Taxed to fit the position as if he were
5 still a baby. He buried his face i'm.
her shoulder, and so, without speak,
= ing, they sat for a long, long time.
< Later, Mrs. Martin Joined Mr. Mar
tin.
Edward" she said casually, you
know you spoke the other night OF
that Minnie Pratt. How long did it
S take you to get over your infatuation
( for herr"
"Oh. fortnight. I guess" Mr. Mar
f. tin said, yawning comfortably. May
be longer
E Well. what cured your"
I Mr.. Martin twinkled. You'll laugh
s when 1 tell you, mother. My father
bought me a bicycle-one of those
big, high, old-fashioned ordinaries.
S was so busy curing myself up from
I the bumps and bruises and sprains,
j that before I knew it, my broken
. heart mad mended itself. What are
r you stirring that old matter up for,
mother?"
S Nothing" Mrs. Martin flashed him
8 a sryptic smile, maybe I'm jealous -
f Like many serious-minded women,
Mrs. Martin had but a small and rare
t sense of humor. Yet ii had a kind
t of elusive delicacy Mr.. Martin paid
z. this sample the tribute first of a stare.
t then of hearty laughter.
t A little later. after a ramble, careH
n fully premeditated among other sub
e jects, Mrs. Martin again took the lead
in the conversation.
S Father" she said, i've been think
: ing this whole matter over, and I've
come to the conclusion that wouldn t
mind if you got Ernie a runabout."
Good for you. mother! 1 don't
mind telling you that I'm crazy for
e one myself. You see. T." A
q Mrs Martin ignored Mr.. M Sn's
= preferences. IF 1 send him WYNN
y office tomorrow, will you go with
him while he picks one out? He
= knows exactly what he wants--he has
= his nose in an automobile magazine
u half the time"
"All right. Send him in. Sure you
e won't change your mind?"
ooh, I'm sure of that" Mrs. Mar
n tin said with conviction. fN
Ie Upstairs. Ernest had fallen asleep
His mothers tender silence had soft
h ened the construction of his body; II
is had melted the lump in his throat. He
lay utterly relaxed now, his head hall
= hidden by his pillow. But now and
1t then a catch of his breath disturbed
5. the regularity OF hts breathing. and
d something that glittered slipped 1roM
lie under his eyelashes and slid slowly
q down his cheek.