The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-03-18

Continued from page 81
THE QUESTION OF HIS MOTHER.
get a position as matron in some
institution, or something of that sort"
(But still that stupefed stare. Really
John might make it easier.) "Well, the
truth is, I expect Harriet to be mar
ried in November, and to have her
own home.
Does Harriet want that, too? Can't
I see her for a few moments?" he
asked
Harriet knows my convictions, and
is content to abide by them. You can't
expect her to remain for three or four
years in the anomalous position OF an
unmarried but bespoken girl. She
would naturally have other suitors."
John looked up apprehensively.
"Well, Mrs. Hammond, some arrange
ment must be made. You know only
too we'll what Harriet is to me-"
Glove will find a way" quoted
Mrs Hammond gaily, at the door; but
you can't see Harriet, my dear boy,
until the way is perfectly clear"
It seemed to Mrs. Gilbert that her
son had scarcely left the house, when
she heard his latchkey in the door
again.
A soft, cool summer rain was falling,
and she was reading new magazine
at the open window. She looked up
with her usual indulgent smile, but
asked no question. John stood silently
beside her for several moments.
81 must talk it out, mother" he said
at last. "Mrs. Hammond insists that
we be married in November, or, in eff
feet, not at ALL"
"Well, John, I think the house is
large enough for three. We have eight
good rooms and the bath, our broad
porch and a pretty garden. Wouldn't
these answer for a while?"
Mother, dear, you make everything
SO easy" he exclaimed gratefully; and
for an hour or two there was close dis
cussion of new arrangements and ways
and means thereunto. "And John"
said the mother in conclusion, why
not have Harriet over to tea with US
next Sunday evening so we could know
Just what would please her,"
Nothing could be better" he ex-
claimed, with boyish delight.
He knew just how carefully his
mother had timed this invitation.
Agnes Brent was out of town on some
law business for her relatives. An
old family friend was in charge, and
would stay for some months.
The slack times suddenly ceased for
John; and his twice-a-day calls over
the telephone. were naturally unsatis-
factory 1t was fully three evenings
before he could lay his mothers prop
osition before Mrs. Hammond.
every nice of your mother" was her
guarded comment, "but since Harriet
is so closely concerned, she must de-
eide for herself, when you come over
tomorrow evening"
'It will have to be Tuesday, Mrs.
Hammond. What with the starting up
of the summer travel"
ooh, we'll, business is business" she
answered crisply; but John was un.
comfortably conscious of a cold note
in her voice as well.
He might have been conscious OF
many other disquieting things had he
been able to hear the conversation be.
tween Harriet and her mother which
"A Z Ia.
parture.
A dark frown Swallowed the girls
ordinarily pretty face. "I,ll never live
with his mother. Haven't you always
said young married persons should be
by themselves, Mammal"
"Of course; and / say SO still, but
you might work things around"
''The trouble is it's her house." said
Harriet, fretfully.
otherwise, / think you would be
quite capable of soon making it toe
hot to hold both of you," said the
mother, with grim amusement.
} well, Johns to have forty dollars
week from the first of January.
don't see why we can't have stylish
little fiat, not too far from the theaters
and as you said the other day, his
mother is still young and strong
enough to earn her own, living for q
long while yet. How / hate all this
worrying about money! | never was
: cut out for the wife of rising man
ought to have some one who's away
up already, and who could give ms
everything want. Now, if old Colone
Lowering had got little further thar
) paying me the compliments he's beer
working off on five hundred girls ant
women for the last thirty-five years.
} but he's older than your father
child"