Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-09-05
IN SPRlNGT!ME
by AGNES G. sROGAN.

old Mother Case leaned back in her
long chair and gazed wcarily across
the lawn. Though II WAS early in
spring the grass was very grcc,. and
Mother Case. nroppcd among her nil
lows. shielded from brcezcS in the
most sequestercd corner of the veran-
da. knew exactly how the garden
would look later. with its regularly or
dered beds OF flowers. Everything UNI
der Sophin's management was "regu-
larly ordered"
That her daHShter was a good ,,.an-
nEer there could be no doubt. yet
Mother Case. in her chronic invalid
ism. never ceased to fret at her rigid
routine. Sophia daily assured her
brother Roger TINT were 1t not for her
capable care Mother Case would long
ago have departed this life. Certain
1t was that Sophla's faithfulncss knew
no firing.
Sophia had also managed Roger
throughout his growing manhood. All
thought Of marriage for himself was
discouraged. and possible attachments
avoided. Roger was the sole support
VI Nhc iotuS, tilu Will IlSltt hN'i
so he mentally QuestiOned-to de-
press young womun'S life by bring
Ing her into these surroundings. And
Roger, notwithstanding his white hair.
was still young and good to look upon.
Returning at evening from the per
pleXities of his great business concern.
he was wont to be entertained by So
phin's rectals Of her trying day and
his mothers fractions complainlngs
Of her tiresnme lot. And when life ap-
peared to he stretching forth into but
troubled repetition Of days Il breath
of springtlme floating over the veran-
da palings caressed the old mothers
face.
II am going out for n time, mother"
Sophia said. land Nellie will be near
to wait upon you.
Mother Case closed her eyes and
grunted as her solicitous daughter
whisked away.
Nellie the maid chntted happily on
the rear porch with Bob, the chauf-
feu-. But beneath her closed lids
Mother Case was seeing memory pic
lures brought back by that cnresSing
spring breeze. Herself Il pretty couH-,
try maiden, in print gown and sin5on-
nct-ronning the fragrant fields III
search Of violctS.
Mother Case opened her eyes in
fiutter of c%citement-nnd there be-
fore her. smiling ut her over the We
randa rail stood replica of the girl
Of her fancy.
81 did not mean to awaken you,"
said the girl. but you seemed Ill and
l thought"
Mother Case looked eagerly into the
glowing face framed by a pink sun
bonnet; her eyes, no longer tired, fol-
lowed the lines Of the girls pink cam
brio dress.
"Whcrc were you going?" she asked
abruptly.
The girl smiled.
"TO hunt vioIets," she replied, Gin
n thicket just beOnd those trees" The
pink vision hesltated.
"Would you like me to bring some
back to you?"
Mother Case grapplcd suddenly with
her cane.
II am going with YOU" she an
nOunced. "Could you bear my weight
on your shoulder"
"Why, yes" the girl agreed.
And like happy child the world
weary old woman entered into the
game of her fancy.
Sophia returning ut evening found
her mother cOmplaccntly resting in her
chair.
Nellie should have taken you up
stairs" she complained.
Ii was several days later when she
brought her new concern to her
brother
II don't know what has got into
mother" Sophia said. "She eats well
and sleeps like child, and I often
hear her chuckling to herself. She's
actually goOd-natured. DO you sup
pose. Roger, that she may be going to
dic?"
"a new lease of life, more likely"
Roger suggested.
Returning home unexpectedly one
afternoon. lie found Nellie distracted
~ examining his mothers porch chair
"Mrs. Case was lying here" Nellie
said positively. "when Miss Case went
off for the afternoon. Now she's gone
Bob and ! searched the house an the
gardens an how Mrs. Case could get
away alone we don't see, but-she's
gone"
Hastily Roger sought the roadway (,
though It was impossible, of course,
that his mother could have wandered
down the road. Near ut hand came
suddenly the sound Of quavering
voice.
"Daisy," called his mother "have
you found any white violets?'