El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-12-22
4 Serial of UniUersaL Appeal
The Other Woman
Mrs. Hampton With Good Deal of Tact, Gets Out
Of Delicate Situation
tcopyrIght, 1917. star CoTapanyl


NAVAAAAAuGu EDAlA -
~HE EVENING before our wedding
day was set aside for the re-
\ hearsal OF the marriage cere-
nouy. I had planned to have only
the members Of my own family and
the bridal attendants present for this
rehearsal
That afternoon Jack ran IN TO see
me for a few minutes. He left the Of
flee at noon. and was not TO so back
until we had returned from our we'd
ding trip. He looked SO happy and
handsome that il did my heart good
to see him
why should 7 not be happy he
argued when I commented on his ap-
pearance. 40 man has more to be
thankful for" Then his face sobered
as he added: "It is strange that such
an unworthy chap as I should have
been blessed by the love Of the tWY
most wonderful women I'm the world
"Oulv one" corrected Your
mother Is wonderful, 7 am not
You are-r Jack coutradicte1- on
are the dearest and most wonderful
Of all women"
Even as he said the words I sus-
Dectad that he was making a mental
reservation in favor Of his mother
did not suggest this 10 would oll-E
have made him uncomfortable ana ]
did not want a shadow 10 1oll across
In spite Of my reluctance to cross
him. I could not suppress slight eA-
preston OF dismay when ne sug-
rested bringing his mother with MN
this evening TO see the rehearsal;
Would you mind he asked Wheh
TrnnlEH|
Why, no." 7 said slowly. only ]
thought IL might be best TO have no
body but ourselves see all the prep
arations until the time Of the we'd
ding"
now nv mother remarked tactfully
entering the room at this Juucture
81 viii call Mrs. Hampton up now
and invite her" ] said brusCuely, go
Ing towards the telephone.
Jacks Mother Refuses
7 hoped that Jack would protest,
but he did not. 1 tried TO make my
manner cordial as I gave the invita-
ton TO my future mOtnerlnlaW- 1
know ! was pleasant and courteous
But Mrs. Hampton thanked me ana
declined
You should have no outsiders with
YOU on your last evening at home, my
dear" she remarked
1t was almost a S if she were mind
reader and had read my thoughts.
I hung up the receiver and returned
to Jack and my mother in the library.
"She says she thinks she would
better not come ] said.
I knew Jack was disappointed, but
he made no comment If 1 were 10
say anything. l would say too much
so I held my peace
The wedding ceremony at noon the
following day " eut off smoothly
As Jack and I arose from our
knees after the benediction he kissed
me sOlemnly. Then as, arm in arm,
we left the chancel and started down
the church aisle. I felt him pause for
an instant.
Looking up I saw that we were
passing the second pew from the front
the pew IN which Mrs Hampton
was standing.
There's mother" Jack whispered.
To my establishment, he stopped
long enough TO bend and kiss her.
Precious little mother he muir
INJURED.
It was only a second in happening,
yet IN that second I saw the parents
moist eyes gaze into her sons face
with such love light as have never
forgotten. I saw also the tremulous
smile on the pale lps-a smile that
seemed TO mean am happy be-
cause you are happy, my boy-my
darling," And ! felt Jacks deep
breath OF suppressed emotion as we
went on down the aisle.
A lump came into my throat. 7 was