The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-01-21

'Sii, II . SotuC, lIOtaCip Sd'u thS
boy. nerving himself for the ordeal.
Yes. Walter" answered his mother
War is a dreadful thing, but some
times it Is necessary. And this seems
necessary. England could not have
done anything else"
No" answered the boy. When his
mother yielded so readily he knew
that she had stronger dissuasive argu.
ments behind
Il want to show you something, my
DEAR" she continued. and. leading the
way into the living room. she began
rummaging among Il heap of papers
in a desk At last she brought out
what she had been looking for. and.
smiling at her son, sat down beside
him at the table
You knew we were not rich enough
for you to go to college when you
wished it. Walter" she asked
Il suspected so. mother. answered
the boy.
Il have never told you how our af-
fairs stand. Your father was dis
der me until you were twenty-one:
then you were to become master OF
the house He left $4,000 Ills in
structions were that. ii | decided TO
return to America. you were to receive
the best education that our means al
lowed He had planned a college course
for you. but living costs twice as much
as in his day, and the money would
not cover it,
I'VE have lived on our capital.
mother" asked Matter. wonderingly.
Yes. my dear Your fathers idea
was that the capital would last four
years after you had left college. Then
you wereto begin supporting me. Later.
perhaps. you would be able to marry
That p..rt was left indefinite He want
ed to do his duty toward you to the
full: to give you every opportunity. so
that you should be able 10 support me
in comfort afterward. | am afraid.
my dear, that your father thought
more of me than of you-he had the
English idea of children's duty to
subordinate themselves to their par.
ents."
And we have SPENT"
.All but 1,500. Walter AS tolo
you, prices are much higher than when
l was a girl. Your father reckoned on
our living modestly upon thousand
year 1t costs us twelve hundred
and fifty. That is the reason why
you went into the bank and not to col
lege."
And suddenly she threw her arms
around his neck and kissed him impul
sively.
20, don't you think know. dearest?"
she cried. Don't you suppose your
mother can read your heart? And you
haven't said word to her yet-and
there is no need for you to say that
word, Walter.
Let me tell you something; during
the South African war your father
longed to go to the front. He was
one OF the cleverest strategists in
England He would have come home
a peer. with a pension large enough
to give us everything we wanted. But
because of his ability he had to stay
at home and help direct the Others
who were less skillful than he. He
bore it bravely. You know his motto:
They also serve who only stand and
wait"
The boy looked up at her. and in
the tragedy of his face she saw that
all his youthful dreams were shat.
tered. But she knew that Mainwar-
ing would not prove false to the duty
which lay Immediately to hand.
She saw what he was suffering;
knew that his fathers instincts were
strong in the son. She saw the quiet
life in the village, without even the
consolation of marriage for years to
come. Perhaps she guessed that he
had already told Agnes of his inten-
ton, and pictured the smiles at his
enthusiasm, the commentator of his
common sense" which would prove
more CALLING than the criticism Of
folly.
She saw all this, and how he re-
ceived the blow Just as his father had
done in England. ten years before.
The boy rose up.
God bless you, mother" he said.
II believe I'll run over to the bank
after supper to help. because Mr..
White is balancing the accounts"
Copyright. 1914. by w. @. Chapman)