The Prescott daily news., 1910-01-04
The Silent Pleader
Are you alone, mother?"

Yes, my boy; come ID, &nu MIs' Raynold beamed with pride as her stalwart boy entered her sitting room. He went straight to her and sat on the ottoman at her feet. as he had often done when he had come to her 1 with childhood petty troubles. The mother drew his head down on her lap, smoothing his hair with a gentle hand.
 What is troubling you, Richard? Can l help your" "I don't know, mother. l hardly know how to begin to tell you" He paused a moment, then went on. There is a girl, mother-a little brown-eyed, brown-haired. soft-voiced girl, and love her."
 Yes, Richard?" She is of good family, but, oh! so poor! She thinks l am but poverty stricken mechanic, and loves me be- cause of it. I am going to marry her.
 You had best tell your father"
 q have, and he informed me 1 was crazy He had arranged marriage for me with Miss Lincoln, so that our joint fortunes would enable me to further my railroad interests. I told him he might be general manager of the con- cern he owned and which employed me, but he was not director of my heart. That would marry Anna, and if he disowned me I had skill enough as a mechanic to support her"
 "Richard!"
 Mother, I love her! and so will you when you see her. I do not want to antagonize father, but will not give in to his will"
 "I will try to win him over, for know you would select none but worthy girl to be your wife"
 Thank you. I know you will not re- gret it." He kissed her tenderly, and as he walked out of the room his mother watched, with tear-dimmed eyes, till he was out of sight, then turned to the task set before her.
 Her husband sat in his study, the papers scattered on his desk unheeded, his brow drawn into frown as he gazed into space. The soft rustic of his wife's gown broke his meditation.
 That young fool," he began, testify, spelling his chances because a baby face has infatuated him. Ignoring my wishes and actually ruining his entire life"
 Come, William, have ordered the carriage and we can talk 1t over as we drive"
 He followed her passively enough to the waiting carriage. He was surprised to find it the simplest in his stable.
 '1 wished to drive myself" explained his wife.
 So engrossed was he in dilating upon the enormity of his sons foolishness that he did not notice where his wife was driving to until they turned into . pretty country lane.
 This road seems familiar" he re- marked, then sat up straight as his wife stopped in front of tiny house set back from the street. Why, this Is the house we lived in when we were first married"
 He followed her down the lilacbor. uON C0 WoAA lnIO IA0 AOu6C.
 "Madge. it looks as it did the day we left 1t. What does it mean? How is 1t you have the keys?"
 Do you remember that first check you gave me?'
 Yes, to buy jewels with"
 William, this was the jewel bought" With sudden change of hu- nor she laughed merrily William let us stay here for tea and will cook it myself. You go down and carry up some wood. Here, hang your coat on it's old hook. It will seem like old times to see you in your shirt sleeves.'
 He, falling into her humor, did as she bade. few minutes later he came upstairs to find his wife preparing simple meal, her silken gown shielded by calico apron.
 "Madge," he called to her eagerly, my old workable is still down there. Do you remember how pleased we were the day finished it?"
 Yes, indeed 1 do Billy" using un. consciously the name the dignif1ed Will liam had long ago replaced.
 AS she set the table in the little kitchen, she watched her husband bus fly building the fire and whistling song he was wont to sing in the old days.
 When she placed the dainty, simple meal on the table Mir. Raynold drew up his chair with a sigh of satisfao- tion.
 T can't remember a meal I have enjoyed as much as this in great many years not since we left the lit