The Prescott daily news., 1912-02-17
Miss French's
 High Hopes


 dences, 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 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 corner sewing or when she went for a walk to the springs and found Mrs. Smith CTS slowly moving thitherward, to be easily overtaken.
 On all such occasions Mrs. Smith CTS reveled in blissful recollections of beauties of her sons character or in golden dreams of his future.
 Miss French listened with a futter- ing bosom. It was not surprising that her previously untouched heart throh- bed deliciously when Mrs Smithers told of the chivalry in her 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 contemptible natures as thoroughly as he hated deceit and sin
 If 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 a voice trembling with emotion that John was coming to see his dear moth CT the following week, and that Mrs Smthers 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.
 It 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 giv- ing her this great pleasure. She pic tured herself as she might be in the future, as a 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 oi filling that exalted position? But now Then Mrs. Smithers had smiled meaningly at Miss French and had patted her hand. Wasn't that reason enough for Miss French to anticipate a 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 deep, deep sigh c 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 CTS.
 With outstretched arms Mrs. Smith CTS was racing down the walk toward a wizened little man with a fast inc reasing bald spot and a propensity for loud talk, who was pickering with the driver oyer his fare and demanding his rights i'll 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- fore he was aware of her presence.
 "Oh, hello. maj" he said, casually, but in a penetrating voice. Tt 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 fixed them. Here, ma, you carry .l, a.ohoI ,p;II you9 I'll carry tho