Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1914-04-10
The Prodisal's S Return


ter greeted his ears.
"Hm, still epting the fatted calf
he said, stepping cautiously into the
front hall to get view of the piazza.
well, Dicks back" he said, at
length, "and I'm a mean sort of a.
chap not to be glad for mothers sake.
After all she is his mother as we'll
as mine" He thought of the happy
smile and felt bitterly that his years
of devotion had not brought that
smile to her face or that light to her
eyes.
"Well, I'm a dog in the manger,
am" he said, rousing himself sharp
ply He prepared to join the crowd
out front.
Then someone said few words In
a low, sweet tone and broke into a
merry laugh. He started suddenly
and listened.
Helene is out there, too" and
feeling of uneasiness, which had both
cred him for days, now expressed it.
self in a fear as he heard his brothers
voice and Helene's laughing answers.
Is LICK W nave ever hC
wondered fearfully.
Dick was good looking, with
winning way about him that attracted
people and disguised the selfishness
beneath, and now his return wealthy,
after years of travel and adventure,
wove a spell of romance about him.
Arthur could imagine the effect 1t
| nm Ha1an a felt thn
spell himself at times as Dicks hand
some face lighted as he told of his
adventures.
He dared not think what the loss of
Helene would mean. The inspiration of
her love had meant much to him, and
this summer If things had gone right
Something choked up inside of him
as he heard her happy laugh again.
| He stumbled upstairs to his room
and changing his business suit for an
old one decided to go out and work
in the garden at the back until he
felt in a better mood.
He went into the Toulouse and be-
gan gathering the necessary tools.
Someone entering the summer kitchen
| caused him to stop. A screen door
separated the Toulouse and the
kitchen, and he could see his mother
and Helene plainly, although the
darkness of the Toulouse prevented
| them from seeing him.
He did not wish to meet them in
his old clothes, they would be sur
prised he had not Joined the crowd,
so he decided to remain hidden.
Helene set some of the glasses from
the tray she carried on the table, and
said brightly:
Its open house today, Mrs. Stan
ton"
YES" she answered. "I guess
nearly the whole town has called on
Dick"
You are very happy. Mrs Stan
ton?" the girl said questioningly.
"Yes, my dear, happy as only a
mother can be who has watched and
waited and prayed for 10 years, and
has had her prayer answered"
And to think he has returned
covered with gold," Helen said, and
though the hidden watcher despised
himself for an eavesdropper he
wished he could see her face.
A strange look came into the mo-
theirs eyes and deepened into a
shadow which covered her face as the
girl went on slowly, "I suppose he
could buy up half the town, while
Arthur
The mother laid her hand on the
girls arm; look of fear was in her
eyes now.
Helene" she pleaded, "let me say
something
"Dick has returned. covered with
gold and I am happy, not for the
gold, but for my boys return. All the
gold of the country could not blot the
memory of the morning when awoke
to find him gone, without even a
good-by to me. Helene, what was 1t
that comforted me in that terrible
hour?" A wonderful tenderness stole
into her voice. "The pity and the
sorrow in Arthur's face
Her voice grew husky and Helene
turned quickly to the window and
stared out ,ar,,..
Ills hothei uSSdu again.
"Yes, Dick has returned, and / for.
give him, and he is rich, but he can
meyer cancel the debt he owes me,
and Arthur has nothing -sr
She laid her hand tenderly on
Helene's bowed head, except his mo-
ther's blessing, and l hoped" she
said, wistfully, something else."
Helen raised her head, her eyes
were shining, there was suspicion
of tears in them; she drew herself up
and said bravely:
"He has that, too. love him from
the bottom of my heart"
1t was some moments afterward
when they had left the kitchen
} Arthur stole upstairs to his room
strangely humbled. He dressed care
fully, knowing now the love which
overshadowed him. 1t seemed as
though no happiness could equal his.