The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1919-06-26
THE TIE
y CARRIE | =. cuarts.
Copyright. lS1s. W,te0 NsV,..o.- INV. :,

VoegTisht. 1s1s. Western EsWsoapsr Unioa)
| Don's mother went out wearilv. 70
iook over the bloom Of the garden, but
the garden. like AL things about the
little home. had lost interest since Don
ala went to war. II he had not been
such an exceptional son. his mother
might not have missed him 80 BIT
terly.
Always she had loved her boy with
selfish love. FierceIy she had claim
Cd him In her vidowhood, her own.
Donald's father had died when the lad
was young but his mother had taken
a SILENT almost unconscious VOW. thf
the boy must live to care for her. even
Is his father would have cared. II he
had been spared.
The little homo became eloquent Of
those things which pleased his moth
er. Donald did not realize that young
women whose acquaintance he made,
and for whom he entertained at times
a passing interest, were not made vel
come in this homo Of his endeavor; he
wondered vaguely, why mother found
In each girl some disappointing quail
ity. But he knew that the friendshIps
grieved her. also he saw that she grew
more frail each day. and that she
found her only Joy in his presence.
He had hidden her gOOd-by, stand
ing on the vine-shaded porch, where
nasturtiums nodded their bright heads,
and though Don had been CHEEKY and
brave, shadow lurked in his eyes, a
shadow which his mother could not
define. Now, he was In France, far
away France, where guns doomed their
warning. where men fought for the
safety Of this beautiful land spread
about her.
Donald's mother sank down upon the
porch. So many years she had devoted
herself jealousy to her son, there had
been no need for other close compan-
ionship. Now she was alone. Tears
made their way through her wrinkled
fingers, she did not hear a light step
on the path at the side. 1t was 4 girls
voice which reused her.
Il beg your pardon" said the voice.
Il have been directed to you. 1 am
anxious TO spend my summer in the
country, and 1t was thought possible,
that you. being alone. would take me
H."
Il could not care for any one
Donald's mother was beginning. when
the girl interrupted eagerly.
That would not ask, only that
1t might be a mutually beneficial ar
rangement-yOu taking me into your |
home, helping in every way.
And, because Of her heart-achine |
loneliness, because her need of hui |
man comfort was so great. Donald's
mother did. what she never would !
have believed herself willing to do, |
she took the strange girl into her
home.
As time passed, she was glad 1t
was good to hear footsteps at night
In Don's room, even though the steps
were so different and light; 1t was
good to see a bright young face op-
posite her own at table. But best
OF all. were the condolences over
Don's pictures. pictures in childish
frocks to the latest in soldiers uni
form. Myra-that was the girls
name-went to the post Office each
day, returning with Don's bulky let
ters. Together they read them.
1t was Myra at last who answered
letters, her firm hand tracing read
lily lines which the trembling fingers
could not master; SO that Donald's
letters came to be 4 composite Of
them both.
Donald was reported missing;
killed. 1t was believed, by a German
plane. Her light step dragged a.
Myra moved with difficulty up the
dower-bordered path. Donald's moth
er was there on the porch where he
had hidden her good-by. Twice Myra
tried to speak to tell her terrible ,
news. but that duty was spared her.
The mother looking into the girl's ,
vide eyes read their message and I'M
ierstood.
Dlfiidently the young woman fol.
owed the bent form Of the other into .
he house. IT," she murmured. -ohl
suffer with you" =
Donalds mother turned In unex-
,ected passion.
what do you know Of sufferingr a
he cried. You'll / love him. l am q
lis mother" o
The girl raised her white tear
tained face. X" she quietly re- q
lied, IAN his wife" c
"Whenr the mother asked unbs-
lovingly. could that have hasr =
enedT {,
I'm the city" the girl answered
III life had gone from her voice. To-
And You knew when You came to s,
re that was his Bnotherr' B
Don sent me to comfort you" -
aid. D.
The mother looked again into the -
Dung face whose SORROW was now =,
er own, then al at once ahe opened
lie arms which had been closed to all N,
ut her son. 20 the two chung to- q
ether. In