Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-11-22

the academy for three years." the
young man continued, half-apolo-
getic note In his voice; with only
summer cruises to break the mo-
notony. I've been teaching the young
idea how to navigate and
"And stay away from hts home. the
Perhaps; but not Intentionally.
mother. +
ln-t. was ..'epce FOR q feAyt.,to-
threw down seed pods on the two.
Philip spoke at last And who
Dimes With as tomorrow Who helps
us Il. be thankful we have niince pie
and turkey to eat?"
Aunt Mary and Uncle Joe" <
THEY'RE not new-nor exciting. Who
Helena Taylor" added the mother,
looking keenly at: her son.
And her husband 2" Philip half
asked, half declared. N
His mother shook her head. As% Not
this year. she said. Then, suddenly,
she rose "And / have much to- do,
busy day for a$good housekeeper, my
And you're all Of that Philip
called after her as she disappeared
through the doorway.
The tall young OFFICER studied the
end of his cigar Then he puffed two
or three deliberate, thoughtful puffs
and leaned back In his chair.
Helena Taylor. Ell? It's three IRE.
II mother really wants me to marry,
she had better stop asking Helena
here She spoils all other women for
me. I cannot marry for years after I've
seen her. What q pity she married that
fellow! Nice enough chap-Bob,
but"
His soliliquy led him always to the
same rssult-a fgurative cry over the
milk that was spilled. The girl had
married another man while he was on
his midshipnlan cruise and he had
never taken interest in another wonl-
an.
A lifetime friend Of the family and
an orphan, Helena Madison had all
ways been a guest in the Roland
homestead during holidays, and after
she married townsman it was ma
tural that her husband should be IN
Guided in the invitation. And after
Philip left home 1t was the same:
she came as often as ever and the
mother never knew of the effect her
marriage had had on her son. Always
Of it, she had made 1t q
point to ask the girl to the little re-
unions Of old friends she planned for
Philips homecoming.
This year there had been no such
gathering, but-Helena was coming
to take her old place at the Thanks
giving table. In the last year the
mother had learned much, but her
son was ignorant of her fuller knowl-
edge of his life.
IL she knew now with what mixed
emotions the young man waited the
coming Of the great feast day, she did
not show 1t. Nor did she betray the
secret she was holding In her heart.
but she avoided tete7 a-tete hours with
him, pleading duty as her excuse for
hurrying away when he began to ques-
ton her about the old friends.
During the night the snow fell over
everything, and when Philip opened
his eyes and looked out of the long
old-fashioned window by his bed he
felt that he-and all the world-had
much to be thankful for The pure
face spread over everything for miles
around and the green Of the Ar trees
alone lent color to the picture. The
Roland house stood3 far away from
neighbors back In wonderful old
garden. A II, ~.
Philip sat before the big cracking
logs when he heard the first sound of
sleighbells in the distance He listen
ed intently and the Jingle grew clear
way. He sat erect. Perhaps it was
Helena! Or it might be his aunt and
uncle
In a moment the great front door
swung open and he heard his mother
greet Helena Taylor. He went quickly
toward the hall and met them in the
archway ,
Its three years today. Philip"
Helena was saying when he took her
hand.
i 1.-THE time hasn't done much to you
anyway" the young man returned.
You can be thankful for that, can't
she, mother?' he asked.
Mrs Roland looked Up at the tall
girl and the eyes OF both women filled
suddenly with tears. Philip caught
his breath sharply. What had he said?
He turned toward the fire. They both
followed, his mother with her arm
about the girl.
Philip his mother began when
they stood looking down into the
flames. "the years you just spoke Of
have done more toto Helena than
you know She-she---''
Il lost Bob two years ago, Phil"
Helena finished
For few minutes no one said 4
word.
Z II did not tell you, dear the mother
began, because 1t has always been my
policy to keep everything but happy
news OF home from you. Then "a year
ago, when Helena came to stay with
me for a week or two j learned some
thing / had never even dreamed Of
that you had once cared for her"
Philip started as If he would have
spoken; then he drew himself to-
gether.
Later. by common if silent con-
sent. we decided to wait until today to
10 let you know. Helena has always
been with US on this day, and poor
Bob. too. when he was here Som chow,
felt you would rather have us tell you
together. dear" The little woman look
ed up at her hig son and understood
that she had done the right thing in
his eyes.
The arrival of the other guests pre-
cluded the continuance of the inti-
mate conversation and the trend of
things led them all to gayer channels
and holiday making.
1t was not until Uncle Joe and
Aunt Mary had followed their hostess
to the upper regions that Helena and
Philip We're alone together.
Il told mother yesterday that /
would finish this year at the academy,