New-York tribune., 1910-05-08
THE INEVITABLE HOUR
Bv E Donehower

IT was long past the breakfast hour; Yet Mrs
i Carroll still fingered over her solitary meal
Now and then she glanced little sadly a the
vacant chairs that stood one on each side OF
her. L was the first time II al their lives that
her boys had been away from her. alter had
been commissioned by his firm TO look up some
doubtful titles IN q Western city, and he had
asked her 10 let Jack 90 with him
- L viii be a new experience Tor the boy, and
you know Il take good care OF him, ne 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 nLeG.
They We're such dear boys, both OF them.
lack. the younger, was Joyous, irresponsible
vourgster 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 a seriousness tar beyond
his wears She never realized till he went away
how carefully he had watched over her. shield
ING her from every petty annoyance. IN the
TWO years Of her widowhood he had been all TO
her that q man might be.-father and brother
and friend as Well as son. For her sake he mad
given up all young Corrlpanlonsh1p- 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
Il had al been So sweetly and so simply
done that she had taken i as matter OF
course. Now she felt with paTg that she had
been selfish IN permitting the sacrifice; II was
no fl life for one OF his years. Well. when ne
returned things should be done differently
She would lay aside her mourning and order
some lovely new frOcks; for Walter liked 10 see
her IN pretty clothes. They would 60 TO con
Cers 70 The theaJe- and the opera; Tor Vi alter $
sake she would even attend few OF the sClen-
4i+ir lectures he loved. which she abhOrred
from her ln-g7Os- soul. She would entertain q
little. there We're . number OF Dright people
who would be glad 70 come Some oI them
had pretty daughters rOO-W1th . little griI9l4ce
she dismissed the unwelconle thought After
al. Walter was only twenry-three; tar too
Young for love affairs.
No i he wants 4 sweetheart he Viii nave
70 put up with his frivolous old mother
She nodded saucily as She spoke. 10 her own
image II the glass. face still young and bright
and charming. with the charm o! the woman
who never grows old
! maid entered with = letter directed IN
Walter familiar handwriting As she opened
Il . photograph dropped out. Sae looket a.
i moment wondering itlE 'Ily ne l'' . a. -
: strange girl should be II Walter letter.
Then q sudden sharp suspicion seized her. and
she tore The letter open. In her excitement me
words al seemed TO blur and run together;
l11- rreSenrlv TWO or three sentences dcfaCned
themselves and stood out clearly only
four weeks; Yet II seems as Il We Aad known
each other always. Oh k-1"" you a!"ayS
wanted . daughter. -. l am sure YOU Will love
her dearly. for her own sake. as well as mine.
The letter dropped from her fingers; and Tor
q long time she sat scarcely stirring. neIl al
last She lifted her eyes, Il was 10 start - sur
prise al her own reflection. Was this The face
that had answered her SO rriu1nphant!y an
hour ago. L looked tired and gray and nag
gard. The face Of a. old woman. she told her-
self bitterly.
A sFe turned away with slliver. her eyes
fell on che forgotten portrait Picking Il up
She studied II long and earnestly. L was Z,
lovely face. ta;- and Eoung, with beaurlfu-
candid eyes that met her Own with ! cert am
s,T-esr seriousness Moved by 4 sudden M
pulse She carried The pictured face TO her lips
Make him happy, dear" she said softly,
tina. IS al ! ask.