The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1910-09-15
By LEONA ANsTINE SUFFER-

Mother, he said, shifting again,
your lilacs are stale. detect the odor
of stale lilacs."
The Cherub's mother was curled up
In a big leather chair and looked al
most as young and tiny as the Cherub
himself. The Cherub had been think
ing that she looked very pretty in the
pink dress that was Just the color of
her cheeks. She had been dreaming,
and the Cherub was almost afraid to
interrupt. Perhaps shs was thinking
up a story.
When he spoke about the lilacs she
put out pretty white hand and made
a gesture for him to come to her. He
was at her side with bound and her
arm closed about him. She had a
way, perilous to his dignity. of hug
ging him at all kinds of unexpected
times. '--....- s-.,..., ,,,-....
Your mother will ring for James
and have the vases emptied." she said
with humorous Difference. ringing a
bell near her hand.
THE lilacs are no longer fresh. You
may take them out James," she said
when the servant appeared. He moved
about in silent acquiescence doing her
bidding. The Cherub wriggled from
her lap.
why do you love lilacs SO, moth.
err" he asked softly. lingering her
dress. The Cherub was old for his
years. Few things escaped him. The
dream came into his mothers eyes
again and he could see that her
thoughts were far away. With child.
tsh intuition he did not interrupt but
waited silently her answer to his ques
ton. 1t came at last.
Mother was very happy once
among the lilacs!" she answered. her
mind sweet with memory.
rs it story. mother?" he asked
breathlessly.
YES" she whispered. "Yes." and he
waited for her to begin. but she waa
silent.
DO you know a story that you will
not tell me?" he asked reproachfully
She caught him to her again with a
little cry.
Some day will tell you, but no,
now" she said. Il am wee little bit
tired tonight and telling this story
would not help it."
rs it sad story?" he asked.
NO." she said; ut is happy
story"
Then how can it make you say?" he
wondered aloud and she answered
systematically: Because 1t is so
happy"
While he was busy with this pug
zle the servant entered with a letter.
His mother stretched out her hand for
it eagerly but became very white
when she saw the postmark. The
Cherub saw that her fingers trembled
Els. it another letter from the same
persona" he said observingly. Il
should think you would get tired Of
them But she did not hear. She
was reading the closely written lines
in the bold hand with hungry eyes.
This was the letter:
My Dear Little One: am boyishly hap.
py in anticipation Of your surprise when
you receive this and learn that am IN
America. I did not tell you that I waa
coming because It is such long Journey
and did not wish to give you too long
to think about my coming for fear you
would conjure up some reason why you
should send me away as you did once be-
fore.
OF course you know why came.
came to America for you, and I will not
you were i'll In England you had SO many
scruples. Do you remember that you said
that you felt that you must wait until the
Cherub was old enough to consent to an
other father? How Is the dear little fell
low? It almost seems to me I know
him. you have visualized him and char
acterized him SO we'll in your dear letters.
know him so well that am not afraid
to take my chances with him. I won
you that summer among the nlacs. I am
In America now to win the Cherub and
to take you both back with me.
Tomorrow I shall run down from New
York and be with you after dinner. I'm
til then, dear one. with love that has been
gathering force all these years.
ROBERT.
The letter fell from her hands into
her lap and the Cherub saw that her
eyes were shining. He had only q
glimpse of her eyes. however, before
she caught him and crumpled him
against her. He could scarcely breathe
and his hair fell down in his eyes.
You always act 80 crazy when you
get those letters" he said resentfully,
brushing his curls from his eyes. She
gave little laugh.
Il will tell you that story low," she
proposed conciliatingly. THE happy
one" She knew by his shout that
she was forgiven for her outrage Of
the slumbering man in him. He mes.
tied against her knee.
do you remember the summer moth.
or left you with grandmother and went
to England to SEQ II she could get
strong and we'll? It was that summer
that mother spent the happy hours
among the lilacs. But she met q man
there who was personal friend Of
the king. the sort Of . man she would
Ike you 70 b when you growsup, tai
and broad shouldered and splendid and