Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-03-05

tor Alcott's library. One remained
two weeks. another remained six
weeks. All of them had stormy ex-
~periences, for the statesman was
growing daily more grabbed, more
unreasonable and the winter days were
telling on his age and the infirmities
of body that his disturbed state of
mind seemed to produce.
At last, finding himself in a hopeless
condition as far as his work was con-
cerned he sent fog John Craven.
Il can't find any one who suits me,
Craven" he said, shaking the young
mans hand warmly and almost smil-
ing. Tin afraid I'm getting hard
to please. Don't leave me again-if |
discharge you in a moment of wrath.
don't go. there Is no one left who
knows me- He turned away and
warmed his hands over the fire on the
great stone hearth.
I'll stay, senator. I'll be glad to
stay for l, too, have had difficulties"
John Craven seemed older and his
clothes showed signs Of careful press
ing to hide their set lines.
Work progressed and the pile of
unfinished business diminished. 1t
seemed almost as If the old senator
were trying to make John Craven fond
Of him. He made effort to keep his
temper; he tried to draw the young
man out as to his own affairs.
The cold wintry blasts of February
found the senator often sitting in a
big chair by the library fire, propped
about with cushions by the hands Of
his secretary.
81 seem to get chilled through late
ly. Craven. must be a cold, icy in
dividual If that glowing fire can't
warm me-" he said one morning when
the mail was attended to.
Sometimes it's human flames. hui
man warmth, n needs, senator"
John ventured.
The senator looked at him sharply.
"Eh?"
"As we get older we feel the need
of warm human friendships, Kindred
souls with whom to spend our days.
do we not?"
"But-how do you know, John?
You're still young"
Yes" John Craven nodded, young
enough, but, senator, I've never been
as busy as you have been and I've
been brought up in the midst of a big
family-father, mother, sisters. I've
learned to be sympathetic; I've had
time to try to understand my fellow
beings and-though / may never make
the success of my life that you have
made of yours-I believe I'll get more
out of it. At least l hope I'll have
some one with whom to spend my last
winter days, senator"
1t was the longest thought John
Craven had ever uttered to his EN-
ployer, but he felt that the older man
was In a receptive mood.
Maybe your way is right, Craven.
but-well. circumstances in my youth,
followed by the losing OF my young
wife, embittered me against omen
against the world in general. I have
never taken time for introspection un-
til-now. And now"
A servant knocked on the door.
Come in" said John Craven at a sign
from the senator.
Giles, the old family man-servant,
bore a basket-a clothes basket-care-
fully to the fireplace in front Of his
master. There he set 1t down and
waited.
"What-where-John-" 1t was the
first time he had ever called his sec
rotary John-"read that tag"
John Craven did as he was told
and no one noticed how his fingers
trembled as he fumbled with the tag
tied to the basket.
"A Valentine for Father" he read
and his voice vas almost inaudible, so
difficult was it for him to control.
"Open it-take off that fimsy paper
cover" commanded the old man, sit
ting up and letting his cushions, enc
by one, fall from their snug places.
"Open 1t! II had a valen-
tine before in all my life"
John Craven undid the wrappings
and displayed the red. chubby. cuddly
face of an infant ~peaceably sleeping.
Not a word vas said by the three men
who looked on.
There's another tag inside-read
It," presently the old man was able
to say above the lump In his throat
that had been threatening to make
him break down and cry like a wom-
an. Read It, John"
John Alcott Craven" read the SEQ
rotary, quietly.
"Yes-I! l am the mar who took
your little daughter to my heart and
tried to give her the sympathy. the
understanding she has always missed.
Butt was she who insisted on 81.
lence as to our marriage. She seemed
to think 1t was the only way"
"And-and this?"
John nodded tenderly at the wee
sleeping baby.
This is virginia's son-your son.
John?"
"Ours-and yours. senator. Virginia
will be anxious about him. She said
she would not trust him to me long.
Shall get herr"
Her and ali her belongings, John,
to live with me forever and ever"
Copyright. 1914. by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)