La Junta tribune., 1910-03-19
Mary's Home
coming.
By DOROTHY CARLTON.
Copyrighted. 1870. by Associated
Literary Press

MA, We ain't got much to be thank.
full for. reckon. but the Lord knows
he knows" remarked Josiah Wayne
10 his wife the morning set apart for
gratitude for the years blessings.
We've got each other. Siah. and
that's heap" she replied softly.
That's right. Martha. We're spared
by Gods grace. but VIII Banker Hall
spare US when the mortgage comes
due next month";" And he shook his
head dublously.
Deacon Hail is mighty close hsted.
pa. and he likes TO get good farms
cheap. II he don't get ours. II Will he
divine answer to prayers. TN be a
miracle" declared his wife.
''rhe book says the Lord takes care
OF his children. Martha. Wen put our
trust In him" And the careworn. toll
tired farmer rose and left the house.
III Mary was only here" sighed
Mrs. Wayne. 'and. seeing as. she ain't.
II would be powerful comforting to
talk about her. but Siah Is set In his
"'' .'''ih'' US "a nh' 'H' "HN
happy I'd be- thankful In spite OF the
mortgage" she said to herself as she
hastily wiped away the starting tears.
Ten months before Mary Wayne had
eloped with man who passed three
weeks vacation at the farm the sum
mer previous.
John Mott had been delighted with
I.. E..x a g.. a. a
It's surroundings when he first gllmpsed
them. not that they stirred an ar
tistic soul. but because they recalled
gone boyhood days and the home he
had left. an orphaned youth. To make
fortune In the metropolis OF the west.
Almost like dream come true"
he thought. aud he lived again th.
years when he was blood brother to
the woods and it, people His Hnan.
cial success and business standing IN
the city We're nothing to him In the
country.
He was just an eager boy. who was
RESTLESS to 20 fishing and swimming
and club tree limbs for chestnuts,
though It was August. all nj once.
and his only discomfort was because
all his desires could not have slmul.
taneous qualification.
Then came Mary She was away
when he first arrived. and he had be-
gun to hunger for compa panionshlp Of
young people when she returned. In
caudor the girl could not be called
beautiful. but there was that In her
face To make her good to look upon.
Her features were not regular. but
the ensemble showed strength OF pur-
pose.
Painters would not have raved over
her eyes. but discerning poets could
have found In their depths that tender
sympathy which makes some women
akin To- angels.
She Ind taught school the term be.
fore to aid In lifting the blanket OF
obligation that haunted the old people
In the evening Of their lives
She was the only child. and her one
aim was to make their last days com.
Portable. but the hope seemed far from
fuliillmcnt for her savings were small,
the mortgage loomed large. and the
banker was a grasplng ineIorable
Shylock
sull. the year and more that inter
vened before the blow would fall
might bring many thing. so Mary
worked and prayed
To Mott the giri was revelation
He had known girls In the city. but
they lived In world apart from
Mary Wayne. Here he found SINGER.
ity aud fruukncss that came from the
heart. not the mind
The difference In types appealed TO
him. charmed first and then held his
affections. when he said gooiby a,
the .ud of his stay he knew he had
found the one woman be needed. aud
b. hoped 10 win her.
In tn. autumn she resumed her
school duties In town several miles
distant from home. and II became q
nxed engagement that Mott should
spend sundays with her Sh. rarely
went 10 the farm at week ends. as tn.
trip Involved expenditures she did not
feel Justified IN making
"'i' 'iniAS W'Fe 'NinrhFtlUg from
the beginning. Gradually she realized
that they were dear TO her In antici.
patton and memory. and Que Dec~m.
brr night she found herself and knew
they were necessary To her happiness.
Motifs next call was -ven,ful. lie
Was SURE of his love for her Because
of his uncertainty ~ TO her r-ciproca.
tion he experienced unrest and sought
10 learn his fate. Mary loved him and
when he proposed told him 30. Then
he jcurneyed to the farmhouse home
OF hts s~eetheart's parents.
"You may write TO any one In the
city ron know ~ 20 my character and
ability to carr for Mary" he told him.
Young man. cities are wicked
places" said Farmer Wayne. "Do you
believe In Gody' he asked abruptly.
"why-~r-of cour~~. Mr. wayne"
he replied. abashcd ~ the tr,t Of the
query.