El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-12-01
- u tle - thIngs ~ -

said to me when we became
- engaged was-'"How mother
viii love you"
smiled, for I was very happy.
But the smile was not caused by any
thrill OF Joy at the thought Of Mrs.
Hampton's affection for me. For I
was not at all sure that she would
be extremely fond Of me, although
hoped that she might learn to care.
During the time that Jack had
been paying attention to me 7 had
met his mother at sundry functions.
She was uniformly polite. and OF late
I had q fancy that she was trying TO
become better acquainted I knew
this was because Of her sons interest
in me. He was her darling. and he
made his home with her Her only
other child, also a son. was married
and living in California
So It was natural that Jack and
his mother should be even more de
pendent on each other than most
mothers and sons I appreciated this
fact and I tried not TO resent f.
had been absolutely heart free
until I fell in love with Jack Hamp-
ton I had been used to receiving at
tentlon from men, for my house had
been a rendezvous for the young peO-
pie OF my acquaintance. I was an
only child, and my parents had in
dulged my wishes as far as they
were able. Ny friends had been their
friends. Perhaps 7 had been spoile I.
You are always surrounded by an
admirins gfroup." Mrs. Hampton had
SAID Smllngly one evening az re-
ceptiOn attended by her son and her
self You are very popular, my
dear"
The words were kind. AID from an
other person they would have seemed
ment I felt vaguely uncomfortable. I
wished that Mrs Hampton had not
uttered the speech in her sons pres
enCe- Already knew that Jack loved
me and that I was very fond Of him.
Might not his mothers comment
awaken in his mind the suspicion that
I was a flirt2 The idea moved me 10
4 swift demur
"Oh, no am not popular I pro-
tested " lust happen to Know 2
good many pleasant people who are
very kind TO me and make things
agreeable for me; that's all"
An InduIGent Smile.
She smiled indulgentIv. You are
but proving the truth Of my state
mentT she insisted IF you were
not attractive you would not have
so many friends and admirers. Am
I not right Jack dear2"
She was evidently anxious 10 draw
her son into the question. I Won
dered II she wanted ne TO know that
he and she were so close and conf
cussed me and she might appeal TO
him now with q certainty OF his COM
prehension OF her attitude.
Jack smiled back at her and there
was look almost like gratitude in
his eyes.
"Of course YOU are right. little
mother" he said affectiOnately. In
fact. YOU are invariabl right"
"Flatterer," she exclaimed. laugh
ing at the tender raillery- you
know perfectly well that I am not
always right. but you do your best TO
make me think am"
Some one came up Just then and
spoke 20 me and the mother and son
moved away together Nothing had
been said TO wound me, yet was
dissatisfied
I did not understand nv mental
attitude. Was 7 iealOus2 7 did not
think so then. for how could I be
Jealous OF a mans love for his
mother And why should 7 fancy
that Mrs. Hampton was not perfectly
happy at her sons bestowinc his az
lection upon me2 Surely she knew
that Jack would marry some d1v-
And was I not as eligible as any girl
he knew
Then another idea assailed me It
was the realization that Jack loved
his mother so deeply that il would
make him acutely miserable IL any
thing interviewed 90 mar tbs perfect
understanding between him and this
gentle little woman who had given
him birth. ANY girl who would bring
discOrd into such mutual sympathy
and affection would be guilty Of
cruelty.
Yet could a girl be reconciIeI to