Norwich bulletin., 1914-09-30

I coming to see them graduate. Some had already arrived. 'Is your mother coming, Maude?" asked Sally White.
 Maude's cheeks burned scarlet as she stammered: 'No, it's too far away
 in Albany. much farther away than your home," cried Alice Baker.
 Its shame your mother can't come, Maude. dear." sympathized
 Mamie Stone. "I shouldn't want to
 graduate if my mother couldn't be here to see me. My fathers coming, too"
 Maude turned away. She didn't want the girls to see her burning cheeks or to ask her more questions. She would present to see her triumph if she could have come without being seen, but the truth was, she was ashamed of her little old-fashioned, country mother. In her last letter she had written and she meant to be honest: "rm so sorry you can't be here, l momsie dear, but know it's too far for you to travel, and it's my busy time, too. 50 I'll have 10 give up having you, and shan't expect you. you all about it"
 She had tried to word it so as not l to hurt, yet make her mother feel it
 was impossible for her to come. She could not have her there for all the girls to see-the most of them came particular. Her mother would wear her old green silk, 10 years old, she knew, with the large sleeves, and skirt six yards wide. and her old bonnet, no the fashions. Yet there was a, lump | in her throat. She felt guilty, and not at all happy, on her graduation day. 1 Automobiles and carriages were be- ginning to arrive, and crowds were 1 coming from the station. Maude n1in-
 to forget. Suddenly a merry voice at her elbow called out, choking with laughter:
 "Giris, do look! Who is that little old lady standing there by the gate | in perfect maze? If she doesn't look as if she came out of the arll' The girls turned and joined in the laugh Maude looked with the rest, and felt a spasm run through her frame and cold shivers down her back.
 come? And in that faded green silk, too. She was laughing stock, just
 as she knew it would be! But what
 was to be done? She must manage to get her mother out of the way,
 somewhere before they found out.
 Stealing down the path she touched her mothers arm and drew her away.
 when no one was looking. She led her | to a recess, where they would be ur- observed. Her mother-so sweet and
 gentlel-how could she reproach her for coming to see herself, her only | 'T thought I'd give you a. surprise. dear,' came the gentle tones. Tt was a long journey and I'm tired, but l
 knew you'd be glad and proud of your
 mother to travel so far alone-and l
 wanted to see you-so much. It's only l onno i,, 1ifetip1a VO1l know l A sudden resolve came into Maude's 1 heart with the love and nobility of her
 young being. What matter for the laughter of her mates-she could not hurt her motheri Throwing her arms
 about her mothers neck she cried: l rMomsie, dear, you're brave dar- ling! I'm glad you're here!" And in
 her heart she felt the words. Come
 and I'll introduce you to the girls | Do I Iook-all right?' faltered the timid woman. T wore my best-out- they're all dressed up so."
 ''Yes. momsie. you're all right 7
 came the cheerful answer. You did
 what the others wear Bravely she led her mother to the group she had left.
 T want you to know my mother, | girls,'' she announced. She's here,
 after all. She came all the way alone I read my paper and to see the fun.''
 Sweet1y and gently the old lady talked with those she met. With sim pie grace she adapted herself to the | new surroundings. Everyone forgot her dress, looking into her refined happy face, and listening to her in- telligent voice.
 q think your mothers just lovely! exclaimed Sally White to Maude, an hour later.
 50 do II" cried the others. T
 should think you'd be real proud o1 her!"
 I'm so glad you came, momsie dar- iing!" said Maude. after it was all over and they were on the way home But down deep in her heart was a lfeeting of remorse and shame. She would never. never. never feel ashamed of her mother again-and she was SC thankful her mother did not know Boston Record,