Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1912-02-24

turned toward the door. Here Is my
foolish boy now" she said fondly, and
rose TO greet tall, laughing man
whose look betokened frank admira-
ton for his mothers guest.
"Oh, seel" he laughed, "some one
has found"
And returned supplemented Mrs.
Drayton. "Miss-Verney--I think
caught the name-my SON."
oddly enough, both Drayton and
Drucilla we're conscious OF being hap
py when their hands cissped. Neithef
was embarrassed
Then you made me lose my wag-
err" Drayton chided her.
Il came very acknowledging So"
Drucilla laughed You have no idea
what dreadful temptations threw
OF"
Drayton and his mother exchanged
glances, and for the first time each
noticed the shabby little brown suit
and the brave but rather wan smile
that struggled behind the fine eyes.
And because they seemed to want
II, the girl told them her story OF
study and ambitions and of the strug-
giles. Her smile was wistful when she
finished.
"Could you sing us one little song?"
Mrs. Drayton asked, and in her ques-
ton voiced her sons desire.
Drucilla cast a startled glance at
the grand piano and its distance from
her chair. She felt strangely weak
about the knees. If only she had
taken time to have her tea she could
have sung for these two friendly peo-
pie AS it was, she only gazed hest
tatingly at the piano.
That blessed sixth sense--intuition
gave Carroll his words.
Mother, perhaps if we had tea
first Miss Verney could give us more
voice."
Drucilla's heavy eyelids lifted and
she gave Drayton one feeting, crate
full glance.
81 have to Tess up" she laughed a
trifle unsteadily, that foolishly went
without my lunch for the joy OF a
new opera score"
Ominous shadows darkened in Car
roll Draytons eyes, and Mrs. Drayton
swept a hand across ner own as she
rang the bell for tea.
miss Verney," she said, as she re-
| turned to the girls side, eff you will
| let me l will take pleasure in intro
| ducing you to the musical coterie that
we have gathered about us. 1t may
perhaps help you in your work"
A sunny smile that eclipsed all 9TH
err light, to at least one pair of eyes,
swept Drucilla's face.
"You are very, very kind-to an abb
solute stranger. II" She broke of
because she felt suddenly like run
ming over to Mrs. Drayton and having
a good cry in those motherly arms.
| She felt little and crumpled up and
very tired, but happier than she could
remember having been. In one blind
ing moment she knew that her strug-
giles were over; she would no longer
| have to battle lone-handed in a world
| where no one cared or watched for
| her coming. Here were two persons
| who would herald her approach into
a world where she knew she could
play a vital part-the world OF music
but it is strange" Mrs. Drayton
was saying, while she busted herself
with tea, how our friends are given
to us-sometimes through trivial lit
tie happening" She glanced up at
her big son who stood waiting for
| cup for Drucilla. 81 seem to feel that
Miss Verney has walked into our lives
to stay"
Carroll took cup of tea and some
sandwiches to Drucilla.
1.-The whole thing is very sudden
he said half to himself, then an
swered his mothers questioning eyes,
81 know she is going to stay.
Drucilla smiled.