Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-05-08
THE INEVITABLE HOUR
By e. Donehower

TT was long past the breakfast hour; yet Mrs.
Carroll still fingered over her solitary meal
Now and then she glanced little sadly at the
vacant chairs that stood one each side of
her. 1t was the first time in all their lives that
her boys had been away from her. Walter had
been commissioned by his firm to look up some
doubtful titles in Western city, and he had
asked her to let Jack go with him.
1t will be new experience for the boy, and
you know III take good care of him" he said.
The six weeks of their absence had been
long ones; but now Walter wrote that matters
were reaching satisfactory CONCLUSION and
the empty places would soon be filled.
They were such dear boys. both of them!
Jack the younger was joyous. irresponsible
youngster of nineteen. In his needless gaiety
and disregard of consequences she saw her
own disposition faithfully reflected. Walter,
on the other hand, was his father over again;
quiet and steady. with seriousness far beyond
his years. She never realized till he went away
how carefully he had watched over her. shield
ing her from every petty annoyance. In the
her that man might be.-father and brother
and friend, well as son. For her sake he had
given up all young companionship. Night
after night they had spent together in the big
silent house. reading or talking; sometimes
sitting silent for hours, hand in hand before
the glowing fire.
1t had all been so sweetly and so simply
done that she had taken it as a matter of
course. Now she felt with pang that she had
been selfish in permitting the sacrifice; it was
no fit life for one of his years. Well. when he
returned things should be done differently.
She would lay aside her mourning and order
some lovely new frocks for Walter liked to see
her in pretty clothes. They would go to con-
certs. to the theater and the opera; for Walters
sake she would even attend a few of the scien-
tifc lectures he loved, which she abhorred
from her inmost soul. She would entertain a
little; there were a number of bright people
who would be glad to come. Some of them
had pretty daughters too-with little grirnace
she dismissed the unwelcome thought After
all. Walter was only twenty-three; far too
young for love affairs.
NO if he wants sweetheart he will have
to put up with his frivolous old mother!'
She nodded saucily as she spoke, to her own
image in the glass. face still young and bright
and charming, with the charm OF the woman
who never grows old.
A maid entered with a letter directed in
Walters familiar handwriting. AS she opened
it, photograph dropped out. She looked at
it moment, wondering idly why the portrait of
a strange girl should be in Walters letter:
Then sudden sharp suspicion seized her. and
she tore the letter open. In her excitement the
words all seemed to blur and run together;
but presently two three sentences detached
themselves and stood out clearly. -. only
four weeks; yet it seems as if we had known
each other always. You know you always
wanted daughter. .. / am sure you will love
her dearly. for her own sake. as well as mine
The letter dropped from her fingers, and for
long time she sat scarcely stirring. When at
last she lifted her eyes. it was to start in sur
prise at her own reflection. Was this the face
that had answered her SO triumphantly an
hour ago? 1t looked tired and gray and hag
gard. the face of an old woman. she told her
self bitterly.
AS she turned away with a shiver, her eyes
fell on the forgotten portrait. Picking it up,
she studied it long and earnestly. 1t was a
lovely face, fair and young. with beautiful
candid eyes that met her own with certain
sweet seriousness. Moved by sudden inn
pulse, she carried the pictured face to her lips.
that is all l ask!''