The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1914-02-26
Daily Short Story
II E r SON.

never saw how much like his IA
ther Hugo Is getting 10 be- said Mrs.
Mr. Creston--on the outside. What
he Is inside ! suppose We'll have 70
leave for time TO tell. hear he
hasn't settled on anything yet
No, he hasn't He's looking
around It's a pretty big business.
done IN a hurry. you know
That's So Mrs. Jens sighed
again We'll. I'm sure | wish him
success. Anyone as handsome as he
II ought to be able TO win his way
anywhere. Good-ey. Matilda. DO come
Il will. thank you" promised Mrs.
Creston. Her hand held her callers
Tor an instant, then they parted, leay-
ing behind sense OF formality that
almost mounted to GOODNESS
Having shut the front door. Ma
tlida erosion came back into the par-
lor and sat down In a chair near the
side table whereon Hugo's picture
stood. The doors between the rooms
We're open and the interior Of the
mouse below was within range OF her
vision. The general effect was az.
iractive. but IL easily could be seen
the rugs and curtains were dropping
10 pieces and the furniture was de-
crepit Matilda Creston had lived in
THIS house among these poor stocks
on furniture all her married life.
which had begun twenty-five years
ago She knew where every darn and
oreak and mended place was. She
knew also every secret and s,lbter.
iuge OF her long endeavor 10 keep up
appearances-ant endeavor afmos
slckening sometimes in its hopeless
ness. And there in the midst of all
this conglomeration OF poverty and
INABILITY set Hugo's marvellous pic
ture. Ike diamond caught in a tan
gle OF hlthy rags. Her glance went
10 u wistfully. lie had such a high.
noble look. and yet his father had had
that same look when she married
him. And Sophia jerks had said he
was like his father and she knew that
with each word she was piercing the
heart OF the woman TO whom she
played the friend.
anguish, that all her hopes and pray
ers should amount to nothing. that
he would follow in the way of his
father?
step sounded on the stairs. and
George Creston moved to the door,
paused and looked in at her He was
a wreck. III health and premature
senllity was upon him lie had been
having his usual afternoon nap and
mad awakened dazed and a little out
Of humor.
Who's been here?" he demanded.
4 heard somebody's voice"
Sophia jerks has been here" Ma
tlda answered
sophia jerks: Ell? l suppose you
talked me over?"
We did not mention you-well.
that IS. not directly Matilda flushed
as she remembered
IF not directly then how did Won
mention me-" His tone was wrath
IqI. his dissolute ways had brought
ABOUT his own downfall, but he de
ned the world TO say so. He WAS sus.
picious OF everybody. even of sophia.
Who, II latterel him to remeber. had
once adored him
sophia said. George, that Hugo
Was like you-On the outside"
On the outside. Ell? I'll trouble
sophia jerks not TO be insulting TO
NJ. luso may be like me ON the in
side Tor all ! know He appears to
be getting more and more that way
each day. He laughed. What's the
use OF having a son IL YOU can't
cialm him as out and out yours? ]
always told you. Matilda" he shook
ms finger at her. that Hugo would
be Ike me in spite of all the pains
you took TO have him otherwise And
ne is He is lie isl" repeated the
old man. laughing so Unfortunately
That he choked. still laughing. ne
stumbled past Matilda into the next
room, where he fell into his faVorite
chair and began fumbling with his
pipe and tobacco.
Matilda gathered herself Nm with n
i1nE sight and went TO the back Of the
L'"He 70 prepare supper. When that
was out OF "a" way she could steal away
20 htr room To- work upon the piece Of
sHhroldory she was making FOR a neigh
n,r who would pay her well for H. Ma
ilpa ptieu earned money iu this way
without her family's knowledge
she was making the tea when Hugo
came 10. When he put his arm about
Ter and kirsed her his face felt fresh
ana cold lie looked an viror and cour-
. age ana energy and youthful hope.
W nI mother" he said. rive Icen
Ihyl-- 'thcllo again. Ny occuTation's
Cone Matilda caught her breath.
Lot me tell YOU Set the tea back
ana listen. was keeuina tho hooks
t@ usual fhis afternoon when Dick No
is'"i Ctwo ru to pay bin You rcuem-
90 lIifE' We went Co school Together
WhIt -nu doing CCoped up iu here like
ms Your place iH out on the soil Inc
SAID, ana De laid surig 81 pussy viii
low on my desk. Mother. something went
on 10 my FcHrt like "a spring and sud
denly ] knew what was tho matter with
me why ] could never stick 10 fnHoo-
work. wanted 90 be out of doors
guess I've Inherited more farmers blood
from YOU than either Of ~ have ever
Trrh"ned on. Come on said Dick. let