The Winslow mail., 1912-04-13
Miss French S
High Hopes

Mrs Smithers had spoken so ten
derly and so often Of her son John that
Miss French felt that she, the flattered
recipient Of those precious conf
.iences, might even be willing to ac-
cept 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 it was
no coincidence when she found Mrs.
Smithers seated in her favorite corner
sewing or when she went for walk
to 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
Of beauties of her sons character or in
golden dreams of his future.
Miss French listened with futter-
ing bosom. 1t was not surprising that
her previously untouched heart throb-
bed deliciOusly when Mrs. Smithers
told of the chivalry in hey son Johns
nature. Did an act Of bravery or hero
ism reach her ears, never was she at
loss to 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 all
mean, weak and contemplate natures
as thoroughly as he hated deceit
and sin.
If a 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 it. 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 tenderly and whispered
in 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 a 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, If 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
ing her this great pleasure. She pic
tured herself as she might be in the
future, as blooming Mrs. Smithers,
sheltered and protected by John, the
envy of all her friends, the possessor
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 a wife
worthy of John-looked until she was
almost tempted to admit that there
wasn't a girl in the world capable Of
Then Mrs. Smithers had smiled
meaningly at Miss French and had
patted 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
that hurt, as each passenger stepped
out of it. But when it was finally emp
tied 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. Smith
ers.
With outstretched arms Mrs. Smith
erS was racing down the walk toward
O. wizened little man with fast inc
reasing bald spot and propensity for
loud talk, who was pickering with the
driver over his fare and demanding
mis- rights in high pitched voice that
reminded Miss French Of Punch and
Judy show. His mother reached John
before his transaction was completed
and she threw herself into his arms be-
,ore he was aware of her presence.
tOh, hello, NAL" he said, casually,
out in penetrating voice. "It was
sort of hard to get away-my books
lidn't balance last night, and thought
I'd have to stay over another day
out I fixed them. Here, ma, you carry
his satchel, will you? I'll carry the
other one
Miss French fled precipitately from
their path that she might escape the
promised introduction. She required
time tO clear awav tho dohris Of hor