The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1912-09-12
WEEKLY SHORT STORY
TOMS MOTHER.
BY lola Forester.

''W'hy didn't he come himself?'
Mrs. Ellis puckered her lips at the
challenge in the girls tone. She
smOothed out her gloves on one knee
and smiled-a doubtful, wistful little
smile.
"He didn't think you'd ever want
to see him again"
III didn't-for a moment" The tears
fickered on the long, dark lashes be-
fore Ina could stop them. She stood
over near the open window, looking on;
at the pretty garden anad the old Ro-
man seat at the turn of the walk
where Tom had first told her the
loved her the best in the world. She
thought of that night for a moment
until the memory of the morning.
news swept 1t out of her conscious
ness. The headlines faced her still
Toms name in wide letters, then the
whole fiat truth of how he had taken
funds intrusted 20 him and used
them to speculate with. 1t had added
that he was engaged to one of the
prettiest girls in Harbor View and
needed money to keep up her stand
ard of good time.
why did he try to make out he
had plenty of money to spend A" she
said suddenly, turning on the little
nervous figure. ut isn't true what
the papers say. L never asked him for
anything"
But If he didn't take you out good
and doften, you'd go with someone
VINO could afford to. Not that I'm
blaming you, child. Land, everybody
likes to have a nice time, and Toms
Deen pretty well tied up in a bust
ness way. I've seen he was worried
for long time, but didn't say any
thing"
Il noticed it, too" Just for a mo-
ment the eyes of she two met in the
first gripping sympathy. where is
ne! suppose he had to go away
Mrs. Ellis shook her head.
Hes home. i left him lying on
the sofa in the dining room, with his
mead II the cushions, just the way he
always id when he'd done something
ne knew he'd oughter not when he
was little"
thought the papers said they were
going to take him away today"
Hes waiting for them to come now
But ne won't run away. / know Tom
enough for that. L wanted him to
come himself and tell you all about
now II happened, but he just wouldn't
You know, Ina, he's cared for you ever
since you were running UP and down
MAIN street on a bicycle eight years
ago. halr flying and laughing over
your shoulder at some one. When he
came out OF high school l went down
and talked to Mr.. Carey at the bank.
used TO go to school with Tip Carey
years ago, and / didn't mind a bit ask
ing MIN TO give my boy a chance. He
starred Tom In right away and he was
uOlng well and satisfied until"
1 came along" Ina spoke bitter
~. III was true in a way. She lovedd
pretty things around her. She had
toIu lom she wouldn't marry him un-
VI ne could take her to her own home
She didn't want his mother to live
WlSh them. She was old-fashioned
and Just funny little old lady. Ina's
rather had been sheriff in Harbor
view and even county treasurer he
lore ne dled. She was stenOgrapher
at the hotel now, but no one exceDt
herselt Knew the air castles she built
al her desk. Tom had not usually
Deen included in them. 4 suppose he
DANES me for everything. How much
did he take?"
Inc old lady pinched her lips to-
Sether again as if she had suffered
quick pam, but her eyes were wide
and placid.
ABOUT five hundred, all told He
LOOK II out Friday and wired il East
ann expected to put it right back nv
MONDAY. He says he figured he'd
clear enough to start in housekeen-
ing rlSht away, and get YOU the niano
too P'''ii'
Ina put her hands over hes face
Inc tears were coming faster. She
hau wanted the piano, and suddenly
she remembered the look on Toms
lace when she had told him she could
nave piano in every room if She
married Owsley Rawlins, the hotel
keeper. '-0
II he doesn't put in any defense
how-how long will he be sent awav %
she asked. "S
1T depends. He just wanted me
70 tell you he did SO he could have
things nice for you"
INA Knelt beside the little figure in
black, her arm around Toms mother
I'll go with you and see him" She
Whispered.
Land, child, you needn't" nro-
tested Mrs. Ellis, kindly. Wen get
along. Tom don't expect to hold YOU.
OF course. He's made a mistake but
mes going to stand by it and do what
ne can to make up. But he knows
girls aren't made that wav It's nm
n.y. amt it? After you're married
you'll hight to the last inch he's in
trouble but before you blame him"
don't blame Inn. want to 90
70 70 MN, now" Ina was pinning on
her wide-brimmed nat, her pretty face
tear-stained and determined. her TinS
pressed together firmly. "He did il
Tor me and I'm glad he hasn't run
Inc streets were dark as they hur-
IIed along. Down at one cross street
Ina saw the lights around the hotel.
Ihey seemed to throw out 2 radius
OF brightness like a lure to the love
or luxury in her heart. She slipped
ner arm around Toms mother and