The Hattiesburg news. (Hattiesburg, Miss.) 1908-1917, 1912-08-10

LIN u Il llIkJD ~ 1bO 1N
frame that stood on his desk-the pho
tograph of another woman. 1t was
youthful face, although she was past
thirty years of age. There was some
thing in her that would grow old
slowly and gracefully; her glance con.
fided; the pose of her brown head
leaned. Could he do 1t? Could he
take this young life and keep it I'M
changed?
A few days later the father called
the Boy to him as he passed the H.
brary door. Robert" he said. Il want
you to tell me what you think Of this
picture" He took from the top of his
desk the framed photograph and
placed 1t in the hands Of the Boy. The
large beautiful eyes were radiant with
fun. They seemed to laugh into his
own eyes, which were far too sad for
so small a boy. After moments
thoughtful study of her girlish beauty,
the Boys face frightened, and he
smiled into his fathers face as he said.
II like her berry much, father, cause
she's happy"
Impulsively the father Rugged the
hoy to him, laying his cheek against
his upturned face. 80 do I, my son!"
he said "She is happy and beautiful,
and sweet, and-she likes me, too"
The Boy closed his eyes, almost
overcome with this sudden display OF
affection from his father. 1t was new
experience, this unexpected food for
his hungry soul He began to think
that father might be almost as won
derful as a mother.
It was the month Of June. Every
where new fresh green mingled with
the varying shades of color and the
faint perfume Of flowers. The day had
been one of springs triumphs. The
evening was more perfect still; flooded
with moonlight, with only the drowsy
note Of the insects to break the still.
ness Of the quiet night. A carriage
came up the graveled driveway lead
ing to the house. 1t rolled along SLOW
ly under the spreading trees and
stopped before the broad, deep veran-
da. A gentleman and lady alighted
They went quickly into the house,
where a welcome awaited them from
Ellen, the housekeeper and nurse,
who had been in the boys home since
the time the father brought there his
first bride, ten years before.
Upstairs, In his little bed, tho Boy
lay watching the fine tracery Of slight
ly moving leaves in the moonlight on
his bedroom floor Presently he heard
| footsteps on the stairs, the rustic of
woman's skirts, and the light laughter
| Just outside his door. and then
The Boy raised his head, for there In
the doorway stood his father and q
beautiful lady, who looked at him with
the same laughing eyes he had seer
in the picture that memorable after
noon. The same sensation of having
two warm arms about him and rea
kisses on his brow, his cheek ane
mouth, seemed too wonderful to bt
true. His little heart was full to over
flowing; thin arms were clasped tight
ly around her neck while he whis
pered: II love my new mother" HI
seemed to divine that she was indeed
his new mother. the kind he had asked
for In his prayers ever since he hat
been old enough to say them at thu
faithful Ellen's knee. The faiAt odo
of jasmine fingered caressingly loni
after they had left the room. Sleel
had been temporarily banished; he Ia.
in a kind Of dream, blissfuny happy
for didn't he too. have a mother lik
the other boys?"
The next morning, on his way t
school, he called for Jack. He carries
himself very straight indeed when h
walked proudly into where Jack an
his mother were busy with the fina
preparations for school His thin III
tie face fairly shone as he announced
1--WE got a mother, tool"
Jacks mother laughed. She ha
kept the secret from the Boy, and no'
affected innocence when she said
eHave you, dear? And how do 20
like herr Is she pretty?"
In his quaint little way he replied
II like her berry much, and thin
she is just lovely"
Jacks mother laughed again. "Yo
dear, foolish little Boy!" she said, an
then. much to Jacks disapproval, sh
stopped and gathered the Boy into he
arms as she impulsively kissed h
happy little face, TRANSPORTED by tn
, thought that he was no longer mot
, | erlesR