The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-05-07

husband At the first boyish outbreak
OF Chester he would spoil his life by
Gliding him A nature like that OF
Chester CALLED by suppression and
censure. would revolt She had begged
OF Mr. Storm 10 become his guardian.
and gave him money 90 see that tho
boy did not feel like a beggar
My motherl" breathed Chester in
tensely. How | have misindged her
oh. where is she? ?"
she will soon come 10 see you"
pronounced the subtutor MY dear
boy. il has been labor OF love TO help
you am proud OF you,"
He led the talk into other channels.
He spoke OF Miss Erna Winsted. whom
Chester loved. and wondered how his
stern exacting father would take the
announcement of their engagement
Miss Erna Winsted. dainty. petite
and lovely. trembled With suspense
and then thrilled with delight when
the graduation exercises began the
next day. She had selected a shad-
owed corner OF the great auditorium.
10 be alone and shielded from obser-
vation. so she could enjoy the rapture
OF seeing her brave lover receive the
first prize.
Near to her was seated a lady we'll
dressed and deeply veiled She. too.
seemed 10 be intensely interested in
the main orator OF the occasion. Erna
could not fail TO obsery g evidences OF
the deepest emotion.
The stranger breathed TREMENDOUSLY.
once she seemed to sob and weep.
Then some incoherent words. appar-
emily OF JOY. left her lips.
And then. with a slight moan she
swayed TO one side. and. her head sink
ing directly into the lap of the aston
ished Erna. she lay there insensible.
Miss Winsted did not wish TO create
any connection. for just then the pre-
sentation OF the oratorical prize was
being made She tactfully brushed
aside the veil and pressed phial OF
smelling salts TO the nostrils OF the
unconscious lady
Slowly the latter revived She stared
wonderingly at her gentle nurse. Just
then Chester Burridge. radiant with
the excitement and triumph OF the
occasion. sought out his fair fiancee
lie was ali smiles as he extended to
the girl he loved the jeweled recogni-
ton of his ability Thea his eyes fell
upon the face OF her companion. In
vast gasp the word left his lips
Mother"
She lifted two pleading hands to-
wards him. They nestled in his low
ing, welcoming grasp. Erna sat spell
bound at the unusual scene.
Il am weak" murmured Mrs Bur-
ridge. Get me 10 my hotel | am
sorry disturbed you. young lady"
Your MOTHER murmured Erna
softly. Dear madam, become our care
till we see you comfortable.
Hayden Storm saw them as they
went away in an automobile His lips
puckered queerly. He forgot his dig
nifty sufficiently TO utter a low whistle
OF wonder and amazemept
What has transpired? he reflected.
Mother and son and fiancee-to-
getherl The direction given to the
chauffeur was the hotel Shall act
on my own initiative? Yes.'
Half an hour later ne was closeted
with Godfrey Burrldge in his own
room He had story to tell. and he
told il well.
II made the stubborn-headed old
mule vince TO learn that TO the lost
wife ana her auxiliary. Storm. was
due the making of his son.
But. perverse as he was. his heart
recognized the true merits Of the devo-
ton OF the wife he had misjudged
"You-you are a good man" he said
humbly Il admit my fault. As 70
Mrs. Burridge-"
rs she not worth retaining %
gently intimated the subtutor.
Then both went to the hotel Storm
was first to present himself to the
happy trio in the room Of Mrs Bur.
ridge.
A fortunate youth, truly. Chester Bur.
ridge adjudged himself in that signal
hour of youths victory He saw the
estranged reconciled, he knew that
none would dispute him his bride
now.
And Hayden Storm smiled. satisfied
supremely. Then. noble man that he
was. he went back to his lonely toll.
his life sweetened by the good he had
done.