Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1912-03-12
Hopes

Mrs. Smithers had spoken 30 ten
derby and 80 often OF her son John
that Miss French felt that she, the
battered recipient OF these precious
condolences, might even be willing to
accept the name OF Smithers In ex
change for hers, for such perfection
and virtue would come with 1t.
Miss French was passing few
weeks at health resort. There she
mad tallen into the company OF Mrs
Smithers so much that she felt 1t was
no coincidence when she found Mrs
Smfthers seated In her fayorite cor.
ner sewing or when she went for q
walk to the springs and found Mrs
Smithers slowly moving thitherward
to be easily overtaken.
On all such occasions Mrs. Smith.
ers reveled in blissful recollections OF
beauties In her sons character or IN
golden dreams of his future. ....
Miss French listened with a tiutter
ing bosom. IT was not surprising that
her previously untouched heart
throboed deliciously when Mrs. Smith
ers told OF the chivalry in her Johns
nature Did an act of bravery or
heroism reach her ears, never was
she at loss 10 recall something In
Johns brief but brilliant career that
put the heroism OF others completely
In the shade. John was a lover OF all
things noble. OF all good and true and
upright things, and he abhorred ali
mean, weak, contemplate natures as
thoroughly as he hated deceit and
sin.
If child crossed their paths Mrs
Smithers saw in It, not her own pleas
ure and love In perfect childhood. but
johns. John couldn't see a child on
the street without stopping to speak
to 1t. And generous! And kind! And
brave! And handsome! Oh, thoughts
OF John brought tears to his mothers
eyes,!
So when Mrs. Smithers pressed
Miss French's hand tenderIy and
whispered In a voice trembling with
emotion that John was coming to see
his dear mother the following week.
and that Mis-. Smithers looked for.
ward to the JOY of letting Miss
French share the delights of his pres.
ence, Miss French pressed Mrs.
Smithers' hand in return. AS she did
so she felt thrill OF warmth and
happiness cross her heart
1t was most exciting and romantic
to think that she was soon to meet q
man who was almost. II not quite. per.
feet
She listened with something OF the
mothers own excited intensity for the
carriage wheels on the day OF Johns
arrival. The thought even crossed
her mind that she ought to express
her appreciation to Mrs. Smithers for
giving her this great pleasure. She
pictured herself as she might be in
the future, as a blooming Mrs. Smith
ers. sheltered and protected by John.
the envy of all her friends, the pos
SCISSOR OF absolute happiness.
Why did she feel so hopeful? Well,
hadn't Mrs. Smithers assured her that
John was so attached to his mother
that he wouldn't dream OF falling in
love without his mothers sanction?
And hadn't Mrs. Smithers looked
the world over in vain for wife
worthy Of Jonn-looked until she was
almost tempted to admit that there
wasn't girl in the world capable or
filling that exalted position? But
now Then Mrs. Smithers had smiled
meaniDgly a. Miss French and had
patted her head. Wasn't that reason
enough for Miss French to anticipate
perfect future
When the carriage finally arrived
Miss French watched with an tnten-
sity that hurt, as each passenger
stepped out Of It, But when II was
finally emptied she sighed a deep.
deep sigh of regret
He hadn't come!
She reached FOR Mrs. Smithers' hand
TO comfort the poor mother-but it
was gone, and SO was Mrs Smithers.
With outstretched arms Mrs. Smith
ers was racing down the walk toward
a wizened little man with a fast in.
creasing bald spot and a propensity
for loud talk who was pickering with
the driver over the fare and demand.
Ing his rights in a high pitched voice
that reminded Miss French OF a Punch
and Judy show. His mother reached
John before mis- transaction was COM
pleted and che threw herself into his
arms before he was aware OF her
presence.
"Oh. hello, maj" he said, casually.
but in a penetrating voice. 1T was
sort OF hard to get away--my books
didn't balance last night, and ! thought
Id have to stay over another day
but fixed them. Here, ma, you carry
this satchel. will you? ri carry the
other one
Miss French fled precinitataty tror,