The Era-leader. [volume] (Franklinton, La.) 1910-current, 1921-12-29
HEARrLESS
By MILDRED WHITE.

David Cal stone had been repeated
" asked to call upon Mrs. Mather
from the time he assumed his rector
ship of Windermere.
But so many pressing duties claimed
him that the visit was necessarll!
postponed.
"poor Mrs. Mather is so lonely" his
norishioners told him. "since Con-
stance went away. How the girl can
remain enjoying herself in the city
while her mother sacrifices alone IS
more than we can understand.
"Sacrtfices?" asked David, us Mrs.
Mather. then, in poor circumstances!
"Well. she has to economic CLOSELY
that's certain" his informant replled,
sand it is time that Constance was
made to understand, You see, the
Mothers used to be one Of our flrst
families of independent means. Eat
in time the handed down Mather for-
tune wore itself out, while the fam
ily pride still existed
81 am telling you this, Mr.. Car
stone" the lady apologized, that you
ma; have the courage to talk tC Con-
stance Mather and bring her to her
senses, She has always been standoff-
ish with the rest Of us. Mrs. Matnef
herself, would not thank us Tor our
pains. But it seems time for some
one to take a hand when the poor
dear old soul is wearing herself out
knitting and embrodering until all
hours Of the night that Constance may
have a new evening gown. Mrs. NAL
lory told us this. Mrs. Mallory keeps
the small shop where Mrs. Mather
disposes secretly of her handiwork.
It's a shame that things so one
sided and that an old mother must
bear the whole burden. Won't you try,
Mr.. Carstone, to lntercede?"
IT will try" the Reverend David an
swered seriously, and at length he
was able to make his call.
The situation was, apparently, just
as his confidante had said.
Mrs. Mather with her patient smile
spoke proudly concerning her daugh'
ter and Of her social conquests in the
city.
"You see," she gently explained, ut
Is so like what l had hoped for my
self-the life there among people who
really live and use their talents. My
musical ability and other studied ac-
complishments were buried under the
cares of a village household, MIR.
Mathers clientage in Windermere was
not what his fathers had been before
him. We lost many advantages. But
now" the wrinkled face shone with
satisfaction, connie is living my
dream life for me. Her music will be
appreciated, Of course, and all her
clever ways"
The young rector took his leave alb
ruptly. By no word of criticism would
he destroy this mothers dream. But
the girl must be awakened to realiza-
ton of her heartlesshess--this ne
grimly decided.
The parlor of the old-fashioned
home was chilly for lack of firing.
Sacrifice In things essential, he sus-
pected, was the frall mothers secret.
Diplomatically he obtained Constance
Mather's city address. He expected
to be in town for a few days and de-
termined to hunt the girl up, making
q simple message from her mother his
excuse for the opportunity Of opening
her eyes. The avenue to which he
was directed had lost much Of its for
mer grandeur. While few stately
residences still held place, many bore
various business signs or were turned
into living apartments. The house he
found seemed fairly wer.to.do, and a
maid ushered him into the living room.
He had Just decided to be kind,
though frank, when Connie herself
entered the room.
Mother wrote Of your visit to her."
Connie said. II hope that you will
60 again and often. In. spite OF her
braveness mother is lonely"
This opening was so propitious that
the Reverend David took it firmly,
though the subject now was most diff
cult to approach. 1t seemed easier to
begin with questions.
T "Knowing that your mother Is lone
ly," he said, "can YOU still enjoy your
self among your gay friends?"
For while "the heartless girl" sat
looking at him. There was no indig-
nation In her gaze and a slight smile
curled her lips.
"Perhaps" she said softly, ut may
be better for you to know the truth.
have made no other confdant.
came to the city because the small
annuity upon which mother and l
were trying to live had expired. I did
not wish her TO know--or to destroy
her dream Of life for me. So the visit
to my college friends was a fabrica.
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