El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-08-20
= One WOman's Story =
BY Virginia Terhune Van de Water
CHAPTER XXn

- Gordon Craig that she lay down on
the couch in the tiny parlor until the
dishes were washed and put away.
This task the daughter performed
quickly and nOiselessIy. She was
thankful her mother asked no more
questions then, for she felt that she
had not the courage to reply to them.
Her work done, she glanced nervousIy
at the clock It was now a quarter
past eight. Bert Fletcher would be
here soor- She must prepare her moth
er for the call She went into the par
Tor and, drawing a chair close to the
couch, took the pale and worn woman's
hand in hers
Mother, dear" she said, 'T think
you ought to go to bed now. for you do
not feel well enough to see company"
Mrs. DanfOrth started nervously.
Company" sne exclaimed. why.
what company could you be expect
ing?''
Mary smiled bitterly at the sugges-
ton implied by the question
That's true, mother" she said. a
hard ring in her voice q am not
troubled with friends or guests, am I?
But this evening will be an exception,
for I am expecting d caller-Mr.
Fletcher"
". Mr.. Fletcher she asked. rs he
the one who was so nice to YOU one
evening last Winter?" There was Gag
erness in the tone, and as she noted
this the girl appreciated that her low
ing. gentle mother was actually anx-
iOus to have her marry if it would mean
freedom from care for herself and the
girl
Mary, why don't you answer me?"
demanded Mrs DanfOrth.
pardon, mother" she said. Did you
ask me a question: I must have been
absorbed in my own thoughts. What
did you ask. dear2"
only if this Mr.. Fletcher is the
one who brought you home one night
in a cab when it was stormy2'
Yes" assented Mary, that is the
man."
We'll I remember that you once
said he was very kind remarked her
mother, watching the girls face.
Yes" said Mary. "he is kind-even
If he is not a cultured gentleman and
does murder the kings English But
after all, truth and fidelity are more
than education and manners. I have
had enough of men of culture and OF
nothing else" She tried to change her
sharp speech into a laugh that her
mother might not expect how sore her
heart was.
The widow replied with one Of her
signs, but this time the sound was in
dicative Of hope and satisfaction HE
evidently knows that you are a lady,
and he treats you as If you were So
he must be something of a gentleman
himself. I am ready to like him if he
is good to you Oh, my child" lifting
one Of her daughters hands to her pale
lips and holding 1t there, nobody, not
even you, knows what I have gone
through in seeing you overworked and
in trying to save and manage here at
home. There have been times when
but for you I would have prayed to
die"
Mary remembered how, less than two
hours ago, she had said to herself: IF
it were not for mother I would want
to die" But she smiled reinsurance
into her mothers face.
Since we need each other. mother"
she said jestinglly, let us both deter
mine to live for each other. And
there's a better time coming for US
both"
The mother looked at her anxiousIy. |
you mean that, Mary2 You are not (
keeping the truth from me or trying
to pacify me by seeming hopeful when !
you are not, are you, dear?"
No mother" replied the girl Il am
speaking the truth when I say that |
there is a better time coming for you"
She did not add and for me" Per |
haps she did not think it.
Il do not like to seem inquisitive,"
Mrs. Danforth went on, but I am won
dering how long ago you broke your
engagement to Gordon-Mr. Craig, I
mean"
The girl hesitated minute before
replying. and she avoided her mothers |
Not so long ago" she said indiffer-
emily. You know I always think that /
when people find that they are not !
suited for each other it is best for
them to agree or disagree with as lit
tie fuss as possible"
There was so much finality in her
manner that the elderly woman ven
tured TO say no more about the Texan.
Yet she was not satisfied, and soon
asked timidly:
'This-this Mr.. Fletcher-do you like
him very much, Mary, my dear2"
Il have told you, mother" said the
girl, that he is kind man. and has
been good to me-sO why should I not I
like him?''
Her mother began another question. |
but a ring at the bell checked it.
Good night, DEAR" she said rising /
hastily and hurrying into her own /
room. |
When the door had closed behind her :
mother, Mary stood, her hands over I
her eyes. Perhaps she was praying. !
perhaps she was trying to collect her |
thoughts. But as the bell sounded /
forth a second summons she went /
slowly into the kitchen and pressed |
the button releasing the catch of the |
lower front door. For another minute |
she stood poised as if now. at this /
last moment before her guests arrival. !
she would escape him, would avoid re- /
ceiv1ng him. Then, recovering her /
selt-control and courage, she passed !
out into the narrow hall, opened her |
front door and stood waiting for the
man whose footsteps she heard on the l
stairs ascending toward her
(COntinned in neNt Issue