Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1912-02-06
Hopes

Mrs. Smithers had spoken 30 ten
that Miss French felt that she. the
fiattered 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 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
no coincidence when she found Mrs
Smithers seated In her favorite cor
ner sewing or when she went for a
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 fiutter-
ing bosom. II was not surprising that
her previously untouched heart
throbbed deliciousIy when Mrs. Smith
ers told of the chivaIry in her Johns
nature. Did an act OF bravery or
heroism 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. contemplate natures as
thoroughly as he hated deceit and
sin.
II 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 1t. And generous! And kind! And
brave! And handsome! Oh, thoughts
of John brought tears to his mothers
eyes!
Miss French's hand tenderly and
whispered In a voice trembling with
emotion that John was coming to see
his dear mother the following week,
and that Mrs. 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
man who was almost. II not quite. per
feet.
She listened with something OF 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 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
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-Iooked until she was
almost tempted to admit that there
wasn't q girl In the world capable OF
filling that exalted position? But
now Then Mrs. Smithers had smiled
meaningly at Miss French and had
Datted her head. Wasn't that reason
enough for Miss French to anticipate
a perfect future"
When the carriage finally arrived
sity that hurt. as each passenger
stepped out Of 1t. But when It 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 q 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 q Punch
and Judy show. His mother reached
John before his transaction was CON-
pleted and she threw herself into his
arms before he was aware OF her
presence.
"Oh, hello, mai" he said. casually,
but in a penetrating voice. ut was
sort OF hard to get away-my books
didn't balance last night, and thought
I'd have to stay over another day
but I fixed them. Here. ma, you carry
this satchel. will you? I'll carry the
other one"
Miss French fed precipitately from