The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-17
The EVENING STORY
An Omcer,s Thanks
AAH OIAANOA 4 IIdHho.
by Dorothy Blackmore. ]

Lieut.. Philip Roland said this half
Jestingly, half seriously. He had come
home for the Thanksgiving holidays and
was sitting with his mother in the con-
serVatory opening from the great New
England dining room of the old home
stead.
That's what you always say, my
boy" Mrs. Roland replied. And, mind
you, Phil the only reason 1 want you
to marry at all is so that you will
settle down in some port this side of
China and be able to get home oftener
than you do"
The young man placed his hand over
his mothers. "A purely selfish reason,
Ell? Well, Is days in five years isn't
very good record for a man with as
good home as I have, I'll admit. But
the navy's the navy, mother"
Mrs. Roland nodded her head sagely.
81 know that" she sighed.
And yet I've been instructing in the
academy for three years. the young
man continued, ha1f-apologetic note
in his voice; with only summer cruises
to break the monotony. i've been
teaching the young idea how to navi-
gate and
And stay away from his home,' the
mother interrupted.
Perhaps, but not Intentionally, moth
err"
There was silence for a few moments
while the canary overhead threw down
seed pods on the two.
Philip spoke at last. 'And who dimes
with US tomorrow? Who helps US to
be thankful we have mince pie and
turkey to eat?s
Aunt Mary and Uncle joe
They're not new-nor exciting. Who
else?"
Helena Taylor" added the mother,
looking keenly at her son.
And her husband?' Philip half ask
ed, half declared.
His mother shook her head. Not
I,3e eIaA -ai sud a1xy
she rose. "And 1 have much to do.
dear. The day before Thanksgiving is
busy day for good housekeeper, my
boy
ed 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
years tomorrow since she and I met.
If mother really wants me to marry.
she had better stop asking Helena
here. She spo1ls all other women for
me. can not marry for years after
I've seen her. What pity she mar
ried that fellow! Nice enough chap
Bob, but
His soliIoquy led him always to the
same result-a figurative cry over the
milk that was spilled. The girl had
married another man while he was on
his midshipman cruise and he mad
never taken interest in another woman.
A lifetime friend of the family and
an orphan, Helena Madison had al
ways been a guest in the Roland home
stead during holidays, and after she
married a townsman it was natural
that her husband should be included in
the invitation And after Philip left
home it 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 unconscious
of 1t. she had made it point to ask
the girl to the little reunions of old
friends she planned for Philips home
This year there had been no such
gathering, but-Helena was coming to
table. In the last year the mother
had learned much, but her son was
ignorant of her fuller knowledge of his
life.
emotions the young man waited the
coming of the great feast day, she
did not show it. Nor did she betray
the secret she was holding in her
heart. She was the same busy, tender
mother, but she avoided tete-a-tete
hurs with him. pleading duty as her
excuse for hurrying away when he
began to question her about the old
friends.
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
white blanket with its sparkling sur
face spread over everything for miles
around and the green of the fir trees
alone lent color to the picture. The
Roland house stood far away from
neighbors back in a wonderful old
garden.
Philip sat before the big cracking
logs when he heard the first sound of
sleighbells in the distance. He listened
intently and the jingle grew clearer;
it was coming up the long driveway.
He sat erect. Perhaps it was Helenai
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 quick
~ toward the hall and met them 81
the archway.
TITS 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 tail
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 fol-
lowed. 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-''
ct lost Bob two years ago, Phil"
Helen finished.
For a few minutes no one said a
word.
II did not tell you, dear" the mother
began, because it has always been my