Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-03-07
Eve,,;ng Story
he CALLS ON HER MOTHER.
BY STACY e. BAKER.

Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
! airy Press)
Young Mr.. Butler-Fredy Butler, as
he was popularity known-stared at the
woman in keen surprise as she cordial.
ly invited him In and placed an easy
chair at his disposal. Mrs. Coyle was
l0uuacious; as yet Freddy had not ut
tered word.
II knew you the moment saw
you,'' gabbled the motherly old woman
Freddy had an appreciative eye for her
despite her garrulousness. She peered
kindly at him from behind old-fash'
toned, silver-bowed spectacles.
eyes, knew you at once-but aren't
you pretty young for the job?"
Freddy surveyed her with reproach'
full eyes. Also he flushed. It was most
embarrassing to have his tender years
flung in his face-especially from the
lips of the mother of the girl he intend
ed to marry.
II don't think I am" he retorted,
gruffly.
This woman, in spite OF her anti.
thetic appearance was positively
coarse; different, with all the differ
ence possible from Hope,-sweet- slim
Hope. his brown-eyed, brown-hatred d.
vinity.
It had been a whim of Hopes that
he come to Swissvale alone and break
the news of their engagement to her
mother whom he had never met,
while she remained in Pittsburg. 1t
was a strange within, but Hope was a
girl of old ideas and the personification
Of impulse.
Under the scrutinizing eyes of the
elderly woman, Freddy-drew his boyish
form more erect in the great chair
and the red on his cheek thickened.
Pretty young, reiterated Hope
Coyle's mother. pretty young for the
lob. The others before you were older
men; not that am criticizing you sir,
but it seems to me that you are-er-
pretty young for the job
Freddy glared in amazement. Hope
had told him that she had said not a
word Of their engagement to her
mother-and Hope was to be believed.
Hope had told him that he-one OF
Pittsburg's most promising young law
yers-was the first man to enter thus
into her life-and Hope was to be be-
lieved. Still ],
81 was born in Rhode Island" said
the woman, suddenly smiling across
at the embarrassed youth. "My hus-
band is Dead" she continued. "My first
name is Loretta and She interrupt
ed herself. care you sure you can re-
member all this? Hadn't you better put
it DOWN."
Butler mumbled inarticulately, and
cast furtiye and frequent glances to.
ward the door.
II have one daughter" continued
Mrs. Coyle serenely. She Is an ex-
pert stenographer located in Pitts
burg. She You must have a re.
markable memory, she suddenly flung
at the young lawyer, ITO be able to re-
memper all this, you know. Now what
else shall tell you? Question met.
Buffers dry. lips clicked as he
opened them to answer. Heavens!
So this was the mother Of the girl he
intended to marry and she was
crazy-no doubt of it-crazy as Bed
lamite.
"Well, them continued the talka'
tive one, Freddy showing no inclination
to interrogate, Il guess know what
you want to know. This property
this house and this lot-are mine. l
also own another place in Homestead.
I'll bring the deed for you to see in a
moment"
Never mind about that" the youth
managed to calculate.
"That was not the way with
the other. II thought you were lee
etle young for the job. But never
mind" she soothed, I'm sure every one
will help you to the best of their abil-
ity.''
"She must think am pauper,
groaned the youth inwardly.
AS a matter of fact Freddy Butler,
though young, and untried along
paths Of jurisprudence, was no pauper.
An astute father had left him with q
sufficient amount of the worlds goods
to do with as he pleased and still not
touch his principal The girl stem
ographer in the Frick building had
attracted his notice and-thereafter
her income was perceptibly swollen
by the patronage of B1ackstone's
Youngest disciple Imaginary clients
demanded all sorts of typewriter
screeds.
eve have COW and q horse" con.
tinued Hopes mother, but the barn
doesn't belong to us. We rent it
from Ownie O'Neal, the grocer or the
corner. He's a perfect gentleman,
too, and I'm sure you'll like him.
81 don't expect to meet him" pro-
tested Butler, shifting uneasily In his
chair.
"Oh. but you will" insisted the