The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1921-01-05

BY MADcE c. WESTON.
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o. 1920. Western Newspaper Union. }

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20 1920. Western Newspaper Union)
Mrs. Gordon was disturbed by the
perversity of men in general. and her
own son in particular. Here was Mar
cha Grayce, the very woman to mother
DaviG's motheress children, and he
was putting aside all her faithful care
Of them for the fancy of frivolous,
tOo-pretty girl. Ever since Dora died,
Marcia had made the little twins her
one charge. Tirelessly had she sewed
amused them. Mrs. Gordon. when she
came to make helpful visit, found
no help required Of her, and the young
nurse won completely the mothers re
gard. Even upon her homeward trip,
she was thinking hopefully of the
dark-eyed Marcia as a, possible help
meet for David. Mrs. Gordon was COM
placent in her future planning. and
then, David man-like, upset her plans.
He had brought his small family with
their attendant capable nurse, to visit
at his mothers old summer home on
the lake shore.
Little Peggie and Polly enjoyed the
nuto rides through the surrounding
country with grandma and "Auntie
Marcia" beside them, and daddy at the
wheel. Then, all at once the rides.
ceased. Daddy had found another COM
panion who suited him better. And
when the twins met the lady in the
ruffled rose colOred dress. and she
clasped them close in her little round
braceIeted arms, traitorously their
young hearts went out to the "Pret-
test Lady," as they called her in an
alteration that only children know,
and happily, whenever occasion al
lowed, Marcia was deserted. Mrs.
Gordon frowned on the ruffled muslins
and the glinting bracelets, and the
fluffy arrangement of the new young
woman's scented hair but perversely
David seemed to share in his young
alteration. Marcia silently
continued her task. And at last
came the blow to Mrs. Gordon's hopes
David was going to ask the "Prettiest
Lady" to marry him, he told his
mother, with the happy shyness of
a man in his first love.
"She is different from Dora Of
course" he said.
"Dora and | were companions from
childhood; Janet is like an idealized
dream maiden to me-"
"And always will be but an ideal
ized dream maiden" his mother an
swered bitterly, a girl who, from all
I can learn. has known neither care
nor responsibility. David, David, have
YOU forgotten all Marcia's faithful
seryice?"
But I cannot marry Marcia" her
son replied, because she has been
good to my little girls. There is such
a thing as love. mother"
Mrs. Gordon turned aside impatient
ly Without response Marcia received
news of the approaching engagement.
It was on the following evening that
Marcia came abruptly into Mrs. Cor
don's presence.
81 am leaving at once" she an
nounced. "My trunk has already gone.
A case too profitable to be refused
"als me. You had better go up to the
children. they seem to be rather in
But Marcia my dear" Mrs. Gordon
began. Marcia was gone the outer door
closing behind her. Dismayed, the
assembled to the twins
sleeping room. A Whispering upon
their bed greeted her. Both were
Ill.
"Since when. dears?" she asked
"Sick all day." Peggie moaned, IAN
Marcia left u.s."
Bewidered the grandmother turned
TO the telephone.
Doctor Brant?"
mot in-oh! gone to the clambake
across the lake."
Growing more troubled she replaced
he receiver. She would try to find
David at the "Prettiest Lady's" house.
II was Janet herself who answered the
telephone.
"No, David is not here she said In
luick sympathy, II do not expect him
out from the city this evening. This
storm would detain him, If he had in
tended to come. Yes, it is pouring and
blowing a gale. am very sorry that
he children are i'll, and you cannot
yet DOCTOR" The windows of the old
stone house were rafting beneath the
sudden storm as Mrs. Gordon returned
o the nursery. 1t was pounding on
barred front door, which brought her
rom troubled reverie, and when