The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-05-18

guests and accepted.
All. sighed Valera in a resting
moment, throwing herself down be-
side her sister on the lcafy carpet
within the two little juts OF piled
wood, wont you call me Pauline.
Narcissa. when were aloue2"
She was lovely. wasn't she?" Mar
clSSa said, her eyes meeting Valoras
raised with sudden conscious
eNaSiNCncSS, staring afar.
"Narcissa." came Valora's whisper
ing question, have you thought OF
anything-of anyone Pauline is like2"
After moment, without looking
at her sister. Narcissa nodded slowly.
Valera gave a quick little gasp.
"A picture of somebody we both
know -
Narcissa sim NODDED.
And love- ?"
Violent nodding from Narcissa.
"Sh!" Narcissa motioned violently.
; "Pauline!" cried Valera.
" es," said Narcissa, rising. lit Is
Pauline"
Curls. yellow and bright. escaped
from the little blue cap with the red
wing. and her cheeks-the deep pink
spot glowed there as brightly as last
night. Hands i'm coat pockets. she
stood there before them, eyes staring.
Pauline NarCiSsa said invitingly.
But. ah-" Valoras delicate body
Quivered forward. its m-mamma!"
out OF her pockets and over her
face flew the blue-clad lady's hands.
she was crying: her shoulders drew
upward, hard sobs shook her body.
"Oh, don't" quivered Narcissa,
Cant YOU come back-is that it? on,
mamma, how we want you!"
The kitchen door opened. softly.
GRANDMOTHER Pollard stood looking
out.
ITS Pauline" said Valera.
Who are YOU her grandmother
asked coldly OF the woman.
I'm their mother" she sobbed. and
then i'm an instant added. raising her
head a little proudly. and your sons
wife"
Then said Grandmother Pollard,
IF YOU mean that" her arms opened.
come into the house"
With a cry the pretty lady reached
out blindly. and Grandmother Pollard
caught her; then. keen little ears
catching footheN upon cracking
leaves, Valera turned and saw coming
through the orchard. with swift long
stride, AK upon his shoulder-her
father.
Already weak with happiness. she
raised and pointed a finger. He came
on. Naulting the fence. and into the
yard. With quick. unhclieving
glance he lurchcd forward and
stopped.
Swiftly around. the pretty. young.
sobbing. blue-eycd mamma of the
twins. was whirlcd in Grandmother
Pollard's strong hands. She saw him.
Quickly the damp. w9dded little hand
kerchief she graspcd touched fiercely
at each hectic check. DID they pale
- Who could he sure of anything,
anything at all, except the way she
flew to his ready arms"
You come right in the house now.
children With tears Coursing down
her cheeks. Grandmother Pollard still
managed her authoritative tone.
They slipped i'm obediently.
eco right up stairs" She said and
put on clean aprons and let your hair
down. I'll open the piano and light
the parlor lamp"
From their bedroom window up
stairs the twins pccled down at the
enchanted wood-pile. He stiH had his
arms about her. His hat was off.
showing his curling hair and the white
forehead above his tan.
1T don't seem they can be a real
mamma and papa and not any oLder'n
that marNclled Valera.
GOOD kuows," Narcssa felt Ger
tain of this at least
"Oh. TO bo forgiven and taken back
like this-what can ] do To make up
To you% their mamma was saying
ana their papa drew her to him and
Never leave me-never leave me
again"
Il couldnt-ever," She answered.
And he led her toward the house.
All" sighed Narcissa. we've got
our mamma hack again"
Forever unused Valera. Didn't
! tell YOU if she felt being "A real NAM
ma like l do being a play one-wen.
then. didn't we know she'd come back?
l can't get over il now, about my
burnt-up child. 1t wasn't real"
Lets hurry down" urged her sis
ter.