El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1918-05-08

could not be absent longer this year
for We are very busy at the office.
Even though Louise and Baby might
leave town. I could not; so YOU would
probably see me often"
She made no comment to this state
ment. A day or two later, Jack told
me that his mother had remarked
when alone with him that she had
fancied that perhaps he was planning
TO buy summer home this year.
"She said that you had mentioned
TO her that we had spoken Of getting
a home in the country" he continued.
II told her that that was a scheme
that might not be carried out for sew
eral years TO come 7 really believe
she felt a little hurt that we had not
confided in her about the matter.
when I explained to her that II
was all too uncertain TO be discussed.
she smiled and said that was all
right Pool little mother. As If I
would make any definite plans with
out taking her into my confidence"
II never even suggested that we
were thinking Of buying a place this
year I insisted When 7 was work
ing at the house on that rainy day.
said that some furniture there would
do for the summer home we hoped
sometime 20 have I did not intimate
that il was more than a castle in the
air. I wondered then If your mother
was going to brood about tn ething
She certainly does let her fancy run
away with her"
Nothing Of the kind" my husband
protested. while you never meant to
produce the impression she received.
II was quite natural that she should
fancy we had plans of which she
knew nOthing-of which We had said
nothing to her"
And if we had argued. would
not that, too. be perfectly naturalg'
1T would hardly he natural for me
TO plan a country place and not tell
mother" Jack said II have always
talked to her freely and fully. and I
would be sorry 10 have her think !
would not do so now"
The habit seemed 10 me a foolish
one But Jack had q right TO do as he
pleased Still. in the case Of the coun-
try place we proposed purchE ing IN
the future. 7 surely had a right TO
make a feeble stand
Louise Protests.
We'll dear" 7 ventured. "as the
plan for buying cottage originated
with me, and as I want TO pay for II
myself II possible. I would rather not
talk about it with any one until the
affair IS settled"
suppose we don't cross that bridge
before We come 70 it, Jack proposed
As yet the cottage is only in our
minds. When there is likelihood or
its becoming a reality we can then
decide who shall know about it,
In some such fashion as this my
husband usually avoided any con-
flict with regard 20 his mother. He
was always entirely loyal to her, vet
seemed also 70 consult my wishes and
accede to my ideas. Occasionally he
must have found II hard 10 be fair 10
each Of US.
One week end we invited Mrs. I
Hampton down 10 the shore as our I
guest The weather was lovely and :
she enjoyed the experience with the I
childli1e abandon that vas one Of her I
charms. knew that her enthusiasm I
pleased her son. and the most critical 4
person could not fancy that they 3
were forced. Hers was nature that I
in spite Of its capacity for suffering
and a certain quality OF morbid self I
reuunciauons, held great capacity for /
pleasure
Late on Sunday afternoon. when we
had returned from a walk Mrs.
Hampton went up TO her room to
change her dress. and my husband and
went 20 our rooms also TO dress for
the evening. Ny husband laughed
loyishly as he mentioned his mother.
"I am so glad she came down to
spend sunday with u.s. he said. we
must try to have her come another
Sunday before long"
Yes" I agreed. 'she is certainly a Z
charming guest for she enjoys things
so much"
Depressing Suggestion.
He looked gratified at my com
ment. NO guest could be lovlier-" he
went on. And that reminds meas
we have a large guest room in our
town house, mother may as wei oc-
supy 1t often"
Ny heart sank. "But it is up two
flights OF stairs. dear" I reminded
lim- 1T is hardly a guest chamber.
you knoW-only an extra bedroom
above ours in case It is needed"
T know" he agreed. ''I wish mother
could occupy # always, but she would
never consent to that But 7 do want
Ier to feel she can stay overnight
when she dimes with US. or come to US
Tor a day or two often"
Very well, dear" 7 rejOined.
-ried TO make my tone pleasant. but I
Utmost regretted that I had furnished
hat extra bedroom on the third floor
lf my fathers house
TO BE COntinued.)