Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1912-04-04
Miss French's
High Hopes

Miss French felt that she, the fiattered
recipient of those precious conf
lences, might even be willing to ac-
,ept the name of Smithers in ex-
change for hers, for such perfection
and virtue would come with it.
Miss French was passing a few
weeks at a health resort. There she
had fallen into the company of Mrs.
Smithers so much that she felt 1t was
40 coincidence when she found Mrs.
5mithers seated in her favorite corner
sewing or when she went for a walk
70 the springs and found Mrs. Smith
ers slowly moving thitherward, to be
easily overtaken.
On all such occasions Mrs. Smith
ers reveled in blissful recollections
If beauties of her sons character or in
golden dreams of his future
Miss French listened with a flutter-
ng bosom. 1t was not surprising that
Ter previously untouched heart throb-
bed deliciously when Mrs. Smithers
.old of the chivalry in her son Johns
nature. Did an act Of bravery or hero
SIN reach her ears, never was she at
l loss to recall something in Johns
brief but brilliant career that put
he herosm of others completely in
ne shade. John was a lover OF all
Kings noble, of all good and true and
upright things, and he abhorred all
mean, weak and contemplate natures
as thoroughly as he hated deceit
and sin.
II 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 child on
he street without stopping to speak
10 It, And generous And kind! And
brave! And handsome! oh, thoughts
If John brought tears to his mothers
eyes!
So when Mrs. Smithers pressed Miss
Frenchs hand tenderly and whispered
n voice trembling with emotion that
John was coming to see his dear moth
er the following week, and that Mrs.
Smithers looked forward to the Joy
Of letting Miss French share the de-
lights of his presence, Miss French
pressed Mrs. Smithers hand In return.
AS she did SO she felt q thrill Of
warmth and happiness cross her
heart.
1t was most exciting and roman
tic to think that she was soon to
meet a man who was almost, II not
quite, perfect.
The 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 of Mrs. Smithers for CIV
ng her this great pleasure She pic
.ured herself as she might be in the
'uture, as a blooming Mrs. Smithers,
sheltered and protected by John, the
envy of all her friends, the possessor.
If absolute happiness.
Why did she feel so hopeful? Well,
hadn't Mrs. Smithers assured her that
John was so attached to his mother
hat he wouldn't dream of falling in
owe without his mothers sanction?
And hadn't Mrs. Smithers looked
he world over in vain for a wife
worthy of John-looked until she was
almost tempted to admit that there
wasn't a girl in the world capable of
filing thst exalted position? But now
Then Mrs Smithers had smiled
neaningly at Miss French and had
Jatted her hand. Wasn't that reason
enough for Miss French to anticipate
perfect future?
When the carriage finally arrived
Miss French watched with an intensity
hat hurt, as each passenger stepped
Tut of it. But when it was finally emp
led she sighed a deep, deep sigh OF
'egret.
He hadn't come!
She reached for Mrs. Smithers'
land to comfort the poor mother but
t was gone, and 80 was Mrs. Smith
srS.
With outstretched arms Mrs. Smith
,rs was racing down the walk toward
[ wizened little man with fast inc
easing bald spot and propensity for
oud talk, who was pickering with the
iriver over his fare and demanding
his rights in high pitched voice that
'eminded Miss French of Punch and
Judy show. His mother reached John
before his transaction was completed
md she threw herself into his arms be-
ore he was aware of her presence.
"Oh, hello, maj" he said, casually,
,ut in penetrating voice. at WAS
sort of hard to get away-my books
lidn't balance last night, and thought
ID have to stay over another day
tut fixed them. Here, ma, you carry
his satchel, will you? I'll carry the
)ther one."
Miss French fed precipitately from
heir path that she might escape the
promised introduction. She required
line to clear away the debris Of her
'uined air castles.