Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1914-09-11
BY Virginia r. VAN dG Water

the fact would not remind her OF
it.
Nevertheless, being young, ] was
disappointed. l had anticipated jolly
evening, for half a dozen girls and
young men had been asked to Mary's
house, and her parents always made
her friends welcome. ! did not enter
tain, for my mother was made nervous
b.. the thought OF company, and my
father, being a mere man, did not
appreciate how much girls like good
times in their own homes. But he
did want me to have simple pleasures
and, strangely enough, recollected just
as we finished dinner that had said
something about some affair for to-
night" / fastened to state that I'M
less mother was better / would not
leave her. ! tried to speak as II It
made no difference, but he must have
fancied wistful note In my voice, for
he said quickly:
you must go. Elizabeth. shall be
at home all the evening. and will lis
ten for your mother" He glanced &C
his watch. What time are you due at
Mrs. Lane's?"
"At half-past eight"
We'll, run away and dress at once"
he commanded.
But mothers dinner" / began.
''Norah will attend to that" he said.
she doesn't want Norah to take 1t
up, daddy" expostulated. i told
her / would do It."
And / tell you you will not" he
said firmly. 1T Is time this nonsense
stopped"
looked at him, startled.
II mean" he explained, that when
a servant and a husband are on hand
to fetch and carry there is no need
Of you sacrificing yourself both day
and night And while / am here you
shall not do 1t. / will carry your
mothers dinner to her"
Although the evening at Mary
Lanes was pleasant, the memory Of
what had gone before it lurked in the
depths of my consciousness all the
while. My father came for me at the
time appointed to take me home.
When inquired how my mother was
he replied briefly that she was asleep,
and ! asked no more questions. But
as he kissed me good night at the
door of my room he drew me to him
In sudden embrace.
Dear little girl" he said, but fol
you l should be very lonelyl"
The words were those used by my
mother that afternoon. They repeated
themselves to me until fell asleep.
/ went out little that year and tbs
next | found that my mother really
needed me; at least, that she wal
cheerful when ! remained with her
but that, when I had been out of thu
house for a few hours. she was sure tt
be depressed, and that her depression
almost invariably eliminated in sicl
headache But l also learned tina
my father had little patience with thi
depression, and, to keep the peace.
. pretended to him that society bore,
: me, and that did not care for teaf
receptions, and the like
). Sometimes when my mother woul
speak slightingly Of my father ] trie
. to call her attention to his many goo
characteristics. but l WAS always me
by a frigid silence or the remark
You are but girl. How shoul
!. you know what men are?"
Thus matters stood for eightee
t months after my graduation, On m
second Christmas as a home-daughte
l. there occurred a scene which mad
q upon my mind and feelings q lastin
g impression. My father had learne
J. from Mary Lane that she was agai
u planning for an evening Of mortimer
IS at her home, and he insisted on m
attending the festivities. This he d.
D. in my mothers presence a few day
before Christmas. adding that as /
had an engagement himself that nigl
he would stop and bring me home q
sr his return. My mother compresse
4 her lips, but said nothing, / had 9
I'd Intuition that she was awaiting d
T. velopments, and felt vaguely uncoI
Portable. Then the matter pass'
"a from my mind, until at supper {
Christmas evening she said TO n
n. father, as II to test him:
II Have you very important g
Mt gagement tonight?'
He started slightly. Only CT
en- / am going to make" he said.
ed Upon whom?" she asked.
en- He met her gaze as directly as q
to met his. ION Mrs birmingham"
In answered
Us Il was sure of that" she assert
lot coldly.
Then why did you ask?" quir
y! my father. with sarcastic smile,
It'll Because / could hardly belle
he what my womans instinct warned /
was true" replied my mother.
ay ! looked from one to the 9th
he puzzled. | knew Mrs. birmingham
ed. graceful, attractive widow, at LEI
1x- forty-five years old, who had oft
called at our house and whose h
nd band, dead now for two years, h
MT been my fathers friend. What me
natural, thought, than that my fatl
ms should run In to see her In her To-
for Illness on this holiday night? Fail
led evidently thought as | did, and said
much.
'ol NO explanations are necessar
affirmed my mother. at least" i
i'm added, with a glance at me. "wh,
gu. your young and innocent daughter
My father sprang to his feet
1ou face was pale and his eyes as hard
1ou steel.
ait Since You have made that speec
,r." ne declared, where your young 1
lid, innocent daughter is, you will pie